2022 Caddo Disparity Study

Caddo Parish, the City of Shreveport and the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission seek to level
the playing field for minority- and women-owned firms in public procurement.

In summer 2021, the Parish, City and Port Commission engaged Keen Independent Research to
examine participation of minority- and women-owned firms in their contracts as well as conditions in
the marketplace. This disparity study will help each entity assess their current equity efforts and
identify any new measures needed to encourage participation of diverse businesses in their contracts.

Study team member Customer Research International (CRI) will survey firms in the region to identify
companies available for those contracts. Keen Independent Research will then perform a disparity
analysis that compares utilization and availability of minority- and women-owned firms in public
agency work.

The study team will also interview businesses and trade associations about conditions in the region.

Study Team

Keen Independent Research is a national economic consulting firm specializing in equity studies for
state and local governments. Principals Annette Humm Keen and David Keen are leading this
assignment. Mr. Keen has led more than 100 disparity studies and has served as an expert witness
successfully defending contract equity programs in court. Keen Independent Research has performed
disparity studies for the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Alexandria.

The team includes Scroggins Consulting from Shreveport and the law firm Holland & Knight.

Schedule

The disparity study will be completed in spring 2022.