Pittsburgh’s Equal Opportunity Review Commission approved more than $23 million in contracts to minority- and women-owned businesses in 2019, according to its latest annual report.
The commission reviewed $37.5 million worth of city and city authority contracts last year and awarded nearly $11 million, or 29% of the funds awarded, to minority-owned businesses and $12.5 million, or 33% of funds awarded, to women-owned businesses.
In the annual report, nine minority- and women-owned businesses were listed as “prime-contractors on government contracts” out of the 38 names of the prime contractors listed in the report. The nine businesses include: Alliance Technology Group, Branderic Consulting, Cosmos Technologies, Eisler Landscapes, Grayson Law Firm LLC, Maher Duessel, Mulford Community Teaching Garden, Pashek + MTR and Rosalyn Guy-McCorkle.
The EORC is an 11-member group that reviews professional service contracts of more than $50,000 and construction and development contracts that are above $250,000 to “ensure participation” by minority- and women-owned businesses. The review also entails checking the contractor’s compliance with the city’s equal employment goals of employing 25 percent minorities and 10 percent women.
Between 2018 and 2019, the commission found a 37% increase in contracts awarded to minority- and female-owned businesses. Such businesses were awarded a total of $16 million in contract opportunities in 2018.
Mayor Bill Peduto said in the press release that he is “proud” of creating the Office of Equity in May 2019 and the restructuring of buying plans to “create tangible economic opportunities for all.”
Lauren Lee: llee@post-gazette.com; @lauren_llee.
First Published: June 25, 2020, 4:59 p.m.
Updated: June 25, 2020, 7:19 p.m.