General Information
The goal of the Business Development Division (BDD) is to recruit, develop and retain emerging minority-owned, woman-owned and locally based business enterprises.
Entry into public sector work remains a challenge for MWLBE businesses. To reduce these barriers, BDD helps qualified MWLBE firms do business with the SCA. The Business Development Division recruits these firms via active outreach and participation in various minority trade shows, conferences and forums.
The SCA's MWLBE program provides opportunities for minority-owned, woman-owned and locally based enterprises to participate in the SCA's contracting and RFP processes and gain valuable experience. To be eligible for the business development opportunities that the SCA provides, a business must become M/W/LBE-certified in addition to being prequalified.
Certification Process
The Benefits of Being MWLBE-Certified
The SCA's Mentor Program provides qualified and certified MWLBEs with training and opportunities to work on SCA projects.
For firms that do not qualify for the Mentor Program, the SCA makes other provisions to encourage MWLBE participation on its contracts. For its construction projects, the SCA stipulates that contractors demonstrate a good faith effort to subcontract 20% of the work to an MWBE firms and 10% to LBEs. On personal services contracts, one of the evaluation criteria is the extent to which a consultant firm uses MWLBEs, either as subconsultants or as joint venture (JV) partners.
Requirements for Certifying as an MWBE
To be certified as a minority or woman-owned business enterprise, a business must:
- Be in operation for at least one (1) year;
- Operate in New York or possess a license issued by New York City; and
- At minimum be 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or a member of an ethnic minority group.
To complete the online certification application, click the following link: Certification Application.
Requirements for Certifying as a LBE
In order to be certified as a locally based enterprise, a company must:
Derive 25% or more of its gross receipts from business conducted in economically disadvantaged areas (as defined by the NYC Department of City Planning) within NYC OR
Hire veterans and/or welfare recipients to comprise at least 25% of their workforce AND
Have average annual gross receipts of under $2.167 million for all construction and construction-related work during the past three years.
In order to establish these minimum requirements and provide other required information, MWLBE businesses should complete an online certification application for certification with supporting documentation, such as ownership records, stock certificates and tax returns, to the Business Development Division.
To complete the online certification application, click the following link: Certification Application.
The MWLBE Appeals Process
A firm whose MWLBE certification is denied has the right to appeal this decision within ten (10) days of receipt of the denial letter. The appeal should be addressed to:
Mr. Ross Holden, Executive Vice President & General Counsel
30-30 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
In the event that a request for a hearing is not made within the ten (10) day period, the Senior Director’s determination will be final. The appeal should include a description of the reason(s) the firm believe the denial is in error, including any supporting documentation. After the appeal, the decision by the Executive Vice President and General Counsel regarding denial or approval of such certification will constitute the final determination. If the final decision is to deny certification, the applicant may not reapply for certification for two (2) years, unless the facts and circumstances forming the basis of the denial decision have changed significantly, then the applicant may reapply sooner.
Recertification
Firms are certified for a period of three (3) years. In order to be recertified, firms are required to complete an online application. Firms are strongly encouraged to recertify at least six (6) months before their certification status expires. For assistance with your recertification application, contact the BDD Hotline at 718-472-8899. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm.