The project team for the Metro Disparity Study includes six firms that possess expertise directly relevant to conducting the study in a manner that meets the highest industry and legal standards. 

For an organizational chart of the BBC study team and a description of each firm’s project roles, click here.

BBC Research & Consulting
BBC, which will serve as the prime consultant for the study, is a 52-year-old economic and diversity research firm based in Denver, Colorado. The firm has completed more than130 disparity studies for states, cities, transportation agencies, and other government organizations across the country. BBC is also considered a national expert in helping organizations develop and refine their implementations of small and diverse business programs. The firm has provided expert testimony related to disparity studies and diverse business programs on several different occasions, most recently as part of the successful defense of the California Department of Transportation’s implementation of the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. For more information about BBC, please visit bbcresearch.com.

Opportunity Marketing Group, Inc (OMG)
OMG is a Black American woman-owned, program development and compliance firm based in Culver City, California. The firm is certified as an SBE by LA Metro. OMG was founded in 1992 to help POC-owned and local businesses compete for and obtain contracts with government agencies. Since that time, the firm has expanded its services to include labor compliance services, prevailing wage compliance, workforce development, community and business outreach, and supplier diversity programs for government agencies as well as private sector businesses throughout California. For the 2023 LA Metro Disparity Study, OMG will conduct in-depth interviews with business owners in the marketplace to collect anecdotal evidence about potential barriers in the region. In addition, the firm will help facilitate various community engagement efforts to help ensure external stakeholders are engaged with the disparity study throughout the entire process. 

20/20 VET
20/20 Vet is a veteran-owned, woman-owned diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging consulting firm based in Half Moon Bay, California. The firm is DVBE-certified by the State of California. The firm specializes in helping organizations navigate how to effectively create positive change through effective recruitment, retainage, and development strategies and create a sense of belonging. It offers a comprehensive suite of expert consulting, executive coaching, interactive workshops, training modules, and program and policy development. 20/20 Vet’s staff comprises experts who have first-hand diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging experiences who are passionate about the value such efforts bring. For the 2023 LA Metro Disparity Study, 20/20 Vet will help review policies and programs LA Metro has in place to help identify any policies that might make it more difficult for small businesses and POC- and woman-owned businesses to compete for and perform agency work.

Davis Research
Since its inception in 1970, Davis Research has grown to be one of the leading survey data collection firms in the nation. The firm consistently delivers sophisticated telephone and web-based surveys with seamless programming, supremely qualified surveyors, and a customized look and feel. In addition, it offers professional computer-aided telephone interviewing services from its industry-best call centers. Davis Research’s success has come from partnering with its clients to deliver custom survey solutions that best answer research questions. For the 2023 LA Metro Disparity Study, Davis Research will be responsible for programming and fielding surveys with businesses in the local marketplace in connection with the availability and utilization analyses.

Rosales Law Partners (RLP)
RLP is a Hispanic American woman-owned legal and policy firm specializing in contracting diversity, public law, and representing government agencies. RLP has a national reputation for its extensive experience in the disparity study field, including the legal defense of person of color (POC)- and woman-owned business programs in the Ninth Circuit. The firm’s attorneys have decades of experience related to the development and enforcement of business participation programs, which was acquired through their experience as in-house government lawyers and managers as well as outside legal counsel and consultants to various public agencies. For the 2023 LA Metro Disparity Study, RLP will develop the legal framework and consult on legal issues and disparity study recommendations.

GCAP Services (GCAP) 
GCAP is a Hispanic American-owned supportive services firm based in Costa Mesa and Sacramento, California. The firm has substantial experience supporting organizations that implement small business and POC- and woman-owned business programs. Its staff has experience bringing innovation and best practices to small and diverse business programs, including in the areas of outreach and awareness; race- and gender-conscious and race- and gender-neutral program development; readiness assessment; program implementation; compliance, reporting, monitoring, and training; and data collection and analysis for disparity studies. For the 2023 LA Metro Disparity Study, GCAP will assist with community engagement tasks, will conduct 20 in-depth interviews, and will assist with the three focus groups. GCAP will also review Metro’s programs and policies, provide detailed recommendations, and assist with goal development and report writing.