The School Construction Authority (SCA) is committed to working with minority, women and local business enterprise (MWLBE) firms. The Business Development Division (BDD) offers a variety of programs to help these firms grow their businesses and access contracting opportunities at the SCA. To be eligible to participate in these programs, a business must become certified as a MWE, WBE or LBE in addition to being prequalified. If you are unable to submit an application electronically, contact the BDD hotline at 718-472-8899.
BDD focuses its efforts in the following five areas:
Contract Compliance
General contractors are required to make and demonstrate good faith efforts to achieve the SCA’s goal to subcontract 20% or more of their work to certified MWLBE firms. Business Development provides general contractors with guidance and assistance in finding qualified and certified MWLBE firms to promote compliance with these goals.
A certified minority subcontracting plan must be submitted within ten (10) days after Notice of Intent to Award. BDD monitors contracts through completion, and a component of each general contractor’s evaluations is adherence to MWLBE participation goals.
Minority Business Outreach
The SCA recruits MWLBE firms for certification through participation in various minority trade shows, conferences and forums. Firms can also call or walk in to request certification assistance. Outreach is a very critical element of our program. A prime contractor can use only certified firms to satisfy their MWLBE goals. Firms may not participate in the Mentor Program unless they are currently certified. Firms must also be certified before they can take advantage of the SCA's free business development technical assistance and classes.
- To learn more about the Mentor Program, click the following link: Mentor
Minority Business Certification/Recertification
BDD reviews applications from firms and makes determinations regarding MWLBE eligibility based on the documentation submitted - e.g., ownership records, stock certificates and tax returns.
Minority Business Development & Training
Some of the obstacles that restrict the growth and development of MWLBEs in New York City's construction industry are lack of access to capital, surety bonding, and lack of industry and technology training. BDD addresses these obstacles through a number of technical assistance programs and training courses.
- To obtain more information about these programs, contact the Business Development Division at 718- 472-8053.
Small Business Loan Program
The SCA has developed a unique loan program that provides access to capital for small emerging contractors, which participate in the Mentor Program.
- For more details on the loan program, please contact the Business Development Division at 718-472-5018.
Surety Bond Program
A surety bonding program is available to firms which are graduating from the Mentor Program. In order to perform work within the Graduate Mentor Program, participating firms must have bonding of at least $1 million.
- For more details on the surety bond program, please contact the Business Development Division at 718-472-5018.
Construction and Information Technology Training
In conjunction with Construction Managers, Safety and Technology Consultants, the SCA offers an innovative and effective construction and information technology classroom training program. The program offers certified MWLBEs training in a variety of critical areas - e.g., Estimating, Project Scheduling, Bidding Strategies, Safety on SCA Projects, How to Do Business with the SCA, and various computer applications.