MWBE NYC

MWBE NYC  provides subscribers with access to vital information including weekly announcements and RFP notices for  businesses that are seeking MWBE assistance.

 Upcoming Workshops and trainings for MWBEs

Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Certification Workshop
Session I January 15, 2 PM – 4 PM
Session II January 28, 6 PM – 7:30 PM

Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Certification Webinar (Online)
Session I – January 29, 3 PM – 5 PM

Selling to Government NYC Department of Small Business Services
Session I – January 13, 10 AM – 12 PM

1. MWBE RFP Opportunities
   
   On-Call Management Consultant Service
   Deadline: Feb 19, 2015 at 4pm
   Informational Meeting: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 10am
   Location: 110 William Street, NY, NY 10038, 6^th floor
2. 
   Frequently Asked Questions About MWBEs
   
   What is Local Law 1?Local Law 1 of 2013 amends the NYC Charter and Administrative Code of the City of New York as it relates to city agency procurement and contracts with Minority Women Owned Business Enterprises. The law eliminates the city’s $1 million cap on MWBE contracts, allows for MWBE participation goals to be imposed on all services contracts (including professional, standard, and construction), changes the participation goals in each of those procurement categories, removes the distinction between prime and sub contracts for goal setting, and allows for dual certification for firms owned by women of color. Local Law 1 also increases monitoring and accountability in city agencies by requiring quarterly reporting of MWBE compliance and establishing a better program for data collection.How does Local Law 1 impact MWBEs and local businesses?Local Law 1 impacts MWBE’s by strengthening the MWBE program to increase the possibility for MWBE businesses to get a higher value government contract in New York City. Total participation goals for Minority Owned, Women Owned, and Emerging enterprises have increased 44%, and the law now includes unique categories of participation goals for Asian Americans and Women. The law also mandates that each city agency create a utilization plan that includes MWBE goals for the year, to be published on each city agency website by July 31^st. It’s important for any business who is certified or looking to be certified to understand the law and how the changes in participation goals and oversight will affect the amount and values of MWBE contracts awarded by the city.What are the penalties to a business?The agency must send a formal letter to the Chief Procurement Officer, Commissioner or Director about the violation, and then the contractor must: either fix the violation or the contracting agency (in consultation with the chief procurement officer and SBS) has the right to revoke the contractor’s pre-qualification to bid or make proposals for future contract, terminate the contract, withhold payment, not renew, assess damages/reduction of fees, or use another contractor.If a contractor unsatisfactorily complies with a utilization plan, an advice of caution form may be submitted to VENDEX.

   If a business is in violation of their certification:The certification may be revoked by the Commissioner. Any fraudulent statement by an MWBE is grounds to revoke their certification.

   If I am on a NYCEDC Vendors list, does this mean that I certified as an MWBE?

   No, you are not certified as an MWBE by just registering to the NYCEDC Vendors list.

   Where can I go to certify myself as an MWBE?

   In order to become certified within NYC and do business within, as an MWBE, you can register your business with New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) or New York State Department of Economic Development, Division of Minority & Women’s Business Development (ESDC)

   For additional information about MWBE NYC or to sign up for our directory and alerts, feel free to contact Tunisha W. Walker at (212) 616-5837.