As many of you may be aware Governor Cuomo has increased the MWBE participation goals for certified minority and women owned businesses from 20% to 30%. During the MWBE Forum in Albany, the Governor unveiled new data on record MWBE utilization in state contracting of 25 percent in FY2013-14 – which represents a total of nearly $2 billion in contracts. That figure is up dramatically from the 10 percent MWBE state contract utilization rate in FY2010-11 when Governor Cuomo took office.
The question now is how to get to the 30% goal? During the discussion at the Women Builders Council on April 17, representatives from various New York State agencies indicated that one of the strategies they are considering is increasing opportunities for smaller professional services firms. Specifically, the State will be looking at how they make purchases for accounting and legal services and possibly creating more opportunities under the discretionary spending threshold of $200,000. There will also be a number of IT Contracts announced shortly for MWBEs. This is separate and apart from MWBE subcontracting goals on prime contracts.
As a small professional services firm, we expect this shift in the way the New York State does business to affect us in a positive way even though we are not in the accounting or legal services field.
Last, MWBEs were encouraged to share their thoughts with members of New York State on their ideas of how New York State could increase opportunities for them. Needless to say we will be partnering with the WBC and others to further the discussion.
