New York state is “dramatically increasing
its goal” for minority-and-women-owned
enterprises’ (MWBE) involvement in state
contracting, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced
on Oct. 1.
He said new data showed that the state
has far exceeded the original 20 percent
goal set in his first State of the State address
and is now setting the goal at 30 percent. He
said that 30 percent represents the highest
such target in the nation for any state
government.
Cuomo made the announcement at the
start of the state’s fourth annual MWBE
Forum in Albany. He unveiled new data on
record MWBE utilization in state contracting
of 25 percent in fiscal year 2013-14, which
represents a total of nearly $2 billion in
contracts. That figure is up from the 10 percent
MWBE state contract utilization rate in
fiscal year 2010-11 when Cuomo took office.
“Discrimination and racism is alive and
well and it is illegal. Government has an
affirmative obligation to right these wrongs,
and we need to have the same strength in enforcing
these laws as we do with criminal and
drug laws,” Cuomo said. “First, we worked
hard to fix the MWBE program, looking at the
goals set for the program and what had actually
been achieved. We exceeded our goal of
state contracts going to MWBE contractors,
from 20 percent to 25 percent – that’s $2 billion
and the highest in the nation.
“New York has done many things but we
still have more to do, and that is why are
proud to announce a goal of 30 percent, the
highest in the United States, to continue this
progression and momentum and ensure that
MWBEs are fully represented in this state.”
The membership of Cuomo’s MWBE
team includes state Sen. Betty Little of
Queensbury.
In 2011, Cuomo established, by executive
order, a statewide MWBE Team to explore
ways to eliminate barriers and expand the
participation of MWBEs in state contracting.
Three years later, a number of key initiatives
that the MWBE Team pushed forward,
including an improved online reporting
system, a streamlined certification process,
increased outreach initiatives, and a statesponsored
bonding program, have helped
increase MWBE utilization beyond the 20
percent goal, Cuomo said.
The MWBE Forum provides MWBEs
and small, emerging businesses with an
opportunity to learn about state procurement
process, state contract opportunities,
and connect with public and private sector
decision makers to expand their business
and increase competitiveness. The goal of
the forum is to make the process of doing
business with the state easier and to serve
as a “one-stop shop” that features New York
state contract and business expansion opportunities
for MWBEs and small businesses.
Cuomo launched a “Bridge to Success”
loan program in March 2014 to invest at
least $20 million to expand access to short
term bridge loans for MWBEs. The program
provides qualified MWBEs with the shortterm
resources necessary to participate
in the up to $1 billion in contracting opportunities
with New York state. To date,
lenders participating in the program have
already made 23 loans totaling $2.9 million
to state-certified MWBEs contracting with
state agencies, officials said.