The Minnesota Department of Administration is coordinating this effort and Keen Independent Research is leading the research team. Customer Research International will be conducting a survey of Minnesota businesses in the fall of 2024. Keen Independent Research and study team member Donaldson Consulting will conduct in-depth interviews with businesses and trade associations. Holland & Knight is responsible for the legal framework for the study. Keen Independent Research performed the 2017 Minnesota Joint Disparity Study.
Igbal O. Mohammed serves as the Department of Administration contact for the study. Igbal can be reached at igbal.mohammed@state.mn.us.
The following governmental entities are participating:
Keen Independent Research was hired to lead the research team. Keen Independent Research is a national market research and economic consulting firm specializing in disparity studies. It has staff throughout the country, including Minnesota. David Keen, a Principal of the firm, is leading the 2025 Minnesota Joint Disparity Study. He has completed disparity studies for more than 100 government agencies since 1989 and has helped agencies successfully defend programs when challenged in court. David Keen has worked with states, local government agencies, and colleges and universities throughout the country.
Participating entities extended an invitation to interested business owners, industry stakeholders, and others to provide input regarding the study. The External Stakeholder Group includes representatives of minority- and women-owned firms, large prime contractors, trade associations, and other industry stakeholders. The group meets regularly during the study.
