If minority, women and economically disadvantaged business owners feel disenfranchised from the state”™s lucrative contracting process, there is an answer: go through its certification process, and get on the bid list.
Over 150 people attended Gateway to Entrepreneurial Tomorrow”™s fifth annual conference and expo May 5 in Fishkill, where the nonprofit brought in state agencies with contracts to bid on and seeking to meet New York”™s new mandate of awarding at least 20 percent of those contracts to MWBEs. The event drew interested business owners from across the metropolitan area to its workshops and panel discussion, which offered a one-on-one opportunity to talk with state agencies about the certification process.
Tara Sullivan, executive deputy at the state Bridge Authority, reached out to GET soon after she got the position and worked with its executive director, Robert Lunski, to organize the procurement conference. “There are business opportunities with the state out there,” said Sullivan. “But if you are not certified, you can”™t be considered.”
The Bridge Authority, Dormitory Authority, MTA, Port Authority, Department of Transportation and the Department of State were among those on hand with information to assist those looking for the opportunity to bid on state contracts.
“Mary McGinty of the Office of Technology has gotten her agency up to 20 percent MWBE. ”¦we know it  can be done,” Sullivan said  “But the state needs  MWBEs to realize the certification process is a must to be able to bid on a state contract ”“ and since it  outsources much of its work to small contractors, it is well worth the effort.”
“Minorities and women-owned businesses, and those with economically disadvantaged businesses, can stay viable and grow if they can bid on state contracts,” Lunski said. “The economy is very tough on everyone right now, but the state does have opportunities. That means MWBEs need to be certified to get on the eligibility list. The process may seem overwhelming, but it is achievable and the state has made it less cumbersome.”
As a follow-up to the May 5 conference, GET will become a training center in the mid-Hudson to help MWBEs get their certification. “We plan to start offering workshops by the end of June,” Lunski said. GET has three offices -”“ Poughkeepsie, Newburgh and one recently opened in Haverstraw.
For MWBEs interested in becoming certified, visit nylovesmwbe.ny.gov or call (518) 292-5250 or (212) 803-2414 for more information.
