Over the past two years there have been a lot of conversations, policy meetings, and an increased level of media coverage on the subject of diversity on public works projects performed in our Delaware. Over a year ago, I was interviewed by two separate consultants examining challenges and opportunities to increase contractor and supplier diversity. One consultant was examining the issue for state procurement and the other was working for New Castle County. Delaware released it’s consultant’s report 2022 Disparity Study in March of last year. In February of this year, the Delaware Department of Labor released Delaware Women and the Construction Trades: A Path to Economic Security which examines the challenges and opportunities for women in construction in Delaware.

This spring, along with Mike Berardi, Wohlsen Construction, I’ve attended Delaware’s Office of Management and Budget’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Community Workforce Agreement meetings which, among other things, is seeking to increase DBE participation and underrepresented workers on pilot projects. Right now, OMB is coordinating with DOL on the development of reporting software but some of these projects will be going out to bid soon. I spoke with OMB earlier this week and they believe they are on track to have the pilot projects’ reporting system available for testing soon.

As the reports demonstrate, at all levels of construction, there is value and opportunity to working with women owned and DBE certified companies. DCA is proud to count some of the best of these companies among our membership. Please look for opportunities to utilize these great DCA member companies that are woman and/or minority owned: