Authorizes the empire state development corporation to retain one or more independent MWBE consultant firms to conduct an independent review of procurement procedures utilized by state agencies.
Summary
This bill authorizes the Empire State Development Corporation, acting through the statewide advocate, to hire one or more independent Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) consultant firms. Those consultants would conduct an independent review of procurement procedures used by state agencies, with a focus on how procurement staff are trained and how agencies reach out to MWBE businesses during the procurement process.
The consultants would be required to report findings and recommendations for improvement to the statewide advocate on a quarterly basis. The bill is aimed at identifying weaknesses in state procurement practices and improving access for minority-owned and women-owned businesses in state contracting.
Impact
The bill would amend section 311-a of the Executive Law by adding a new subdivision directing the Empire State Development Corporation to commission outside MWBE consultants for oversight of state procurement procedures. It would not directly change procurement eligibility rules or contract award standards, but it would create a new review and reporting mechanism intended to influence agency practices, staff training, and outreach to MWBE firms. The bill also includes a technical provision tying the amendment to the repeal of article 15-A of the Executive Law.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears supportive of MWBE participation and procurement reform. The measure is framed as an accountability and improvement tool, suggesting a policy goal of strengthening state efforts to include minority- and women-owned businesses in public contracting. No opposition or formal vote history is provided in the record here.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the use of independent consultants to review state procurement procedures, which could raise questions about administrative cost, duplication of existing oversight, and whether agencies already have sufficient internal review mechanisms. Another possible issue is the bill’s interaction with the repeal of article 15-A of the Executive Law, since the amendment is structured to be deemed repealed with that article. However, no specific objections, amendments, or recorded debate are included in the provided materials.
Same As
Authorizes the empire state development corporation to retain one or more independent MWBE consultant firms to conduct an independent review of procurement procedures utilized by state agencies.
Authorizes the empire state development corporation to retain one or more independent MWBE consultant firms to conduct an independent review of procurement procedures utilized by state agencies.
Authorizes the empire state development corporation to retain an independent MWBE consultant firm for the purpose of helping reduce contractor violations of the provisions of article 15-A of the executive law; requires contractors in violation of the provisions of article 15-A of the executive law to retain independent monitors to oversee compliance.
Authorizes the empire state development corporation to retain an independent MWBE consultant firm for the purpose of helping reduce contractor violations of the provisions of article 15-A of the executive law; requires contractors in violation of the provisions of article 15-A of the executive law to retain independent monitors to oversee compliance.
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