11/7/2007
Idaho Transportation Department seeking input on Disparity Study
BOISE - Public hearings on the Availability and Disparity Study have been scheduled for three locations in the state, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The Study includes an analysis of the experiences vendors and contractors have had with ITD and local agencies in connection with ITDs implementation of their Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DB) Program. It seeks to discover whether or not there is evidence of discrimination in the transportation contracting industry in Idaho.
The purpose of the hearings is to hear personal accounts of experiences and incidents vendors and contractors have had in the Idaho public transportation contracting industry. Relevant topics for testimony include, but are not limited to:
Whether or not firms face difficulties or barriers when bidding as prime contractors, subcontractors or suppliers;
Whether or not business owners believe they have been treated fairly or unfairly based on their race, ethnicity or gender;
Whether or not prime contractors solicit, or fail to solicit, bids or price quotes from DBEs on non-DBE goal projects; and
Whether or not there is a level playing field for firms in access to capital, bonding and insurance.
The schedule of public hearings is as follows:
Tuesday, Nov.13
Coeur dAlene: Best Western, Coeur dAlene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave., from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 14
Boise: Holiday Inn Boise Airport, 3300 Vista Ave., from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 15
Pocatello: Holiday Inn, 1399 Bench Rd., from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Study is currently available on the Web at itd.idaho.gov/civil/disparity. Paper and CD copies are available by calling (208) 334-8852.
Those who cannot personally attend the hearing may submit testimony electronically to Karen.Sparkman@itd.idaho.gov or by U.S. mail to Idaho Transportation Department, EEO Office, P.O. Box 7129, Boise, ID 83707-1129, Attention: Karen Sparkman.