NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8995
SPONSOR: Hyndman TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the New York city charter, in relation
to opportunities for minority and women-owned business enterprises
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To provide opportunities for minority and women-owned business enter-
prises.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this act amends subdivision i of section 311 of the New
York city charter, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2017, and
provides that agencies awarding contracts may also identify a quantita-
tive factor in evaluation of bids or offers for awarding of contracts
for bidders or offerers that are minority or women owned businesses
certified pursuant to article 15-A of the executive law and section
thirteen hundred four of the New York city charter. Both New York City
and New York State certified minority or women business enterprises are
eligible to qualify for the factor. This section shall not be construed
as a requirement that such businesses be concurrently certified as
minority or women-owned business enterprises under both article
fifteen-a of the executive law and section thirteen hundred four of the
charter to qualify for such quantitative factor.
JUSTIFICATION:
In Fiscal Year 2016, a paltry 4.8 percent of New York City contract
dollars went to minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBE's),
which make up 51 percent of all businesses in New York City. In light of
this unacceptable disparity, the City of New York has pledged to direct
30 percent of city contract spending to MWBE's by 2021. This effort
requires an increase in the number of MWBE's that are familiar with city
contract processes.Increasing the number of potential MWBE contracts
will make the bidding process more competitive. Consequently, the city
will have the opportunity to select contractors with a record of cost-
efficiency, fair labor practices, and a record of promoting health and
safety in the work place all while supporting a business environment
that is reflective of New York City's diversity.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a
chapter of the laws of 2017, amending the New York city charter relating
to opportunities for minority and women-owned business enterprises, as
proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 6513-3 and A. 8508-A, takes
effect.
