NYCHA’s Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program

NYCHA is committed to creating contracting opportunities for Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE). NYCHA’s M/WBE Program helps create these opportunities by requiring contractors to subcontract to M/WBEs.

NYCHA procures, on average, approximately $1 billion in goods and services per year and is the second- largest contributor to OneNYC, which started in 2015 and seeks to award $25 billion to M/WBE vendors by 2025. For more information about OneNYC, visit the Mayor’s Office of Contracts.

NYCHA’s M/WBE Program is managed by the Supply Management and Procurement Department (SMP). SMP supports NYCHA’s mission to provide affordable, quality housing by ensuring effective and efficient procurement of goods and services while supporting the organization’s broader sustainability, supplier diversity, and social equity initiatives.

To learn more about what is considered an M/WBE business or to become a certified M/WBE, please visit NYC Small Business Services.

How do I become a NYCHA-certified M/WBE?

NYCHA does not have its own M/WBE certification process. The Authority determines the eligibility of M/WBEs by utilizing New York City's Small Business Services M/WBE certification. To learn more about what is considered an M/WBE business or to become a certified M/WBE, please visit NYC Small Business Services.

How can I participate in NYCHA’s M/WBE Program?

NYCHA’s M/WBE Program is being rolled out in phases. NYCHA goods and services contracts include a mandatory 30% M/WBE subcontracting goal, with 15% of the total contract value subcontracted to MBE(s) and 15% to WBE(s). We will continue to provide regular updates on NYCHA’s M/WBE program and contracting opportunities in the coming months.

We strongly recommend M/WBEs attend pre-bid conferences for solicitations relevant to their capabilities to network with potential respondents. We also encourage them to attend M/WBE outreach events throughout the city to expand networking opportunities.

M/WBE Program Details

M/WBE utilization requirements are as follows:

For Large Contracts ($250K and above)
NYCHA goods and services contracts include a 30% M/WBE subcontracting goal, with 15% of the total contract value subcontracted to MBE(s) and 15% to WBE(s).

If the contract is awarded to a vendor that is both MBE- and WBE-certified, the vendor must choose one certification for the contract and then subcontract 15% of the total contract value to a firm with the certification that the vendor did not choose (i.e., if a vendor chooses the MBE certification, they must subcontract 15% to a WBE).

NYCHA development projects include 25% of the total contract value to be subcontracted to M/WBE(s).

NYCHA is implementing the M/WBE Program via a phased rollout, starting with select procurements over $250,000. We will continue to provide regular updates on upcoming contracting opportunities in the coming months.

Micro Purchases (up to $10K) & Small Procurements (below $250K)
Currently, utilization goals do not apply to micro purchases and small procurements, but we will continue to provide regular updates on NYCHA’s M/WBE Program and contracting opportunities for micro purchases and small procurements in the coming months.

Vendor Requirements

M/WBE Utilization Plan
Bid respondents are required to complete and submit an M/WBE Utilization Plan as part of the bid/proposal submission process. Submission of this plan will be a factor in determining vendor responsiveness. The Utilization Plan will be included in the solicitation documents, accessible via NYCHA’s iSupplier system.
NYCHA M/WBE Utilization Plan

M/WBE Waiver/Partial Waiver Utilization Plan Application
Waivers or partial waivers may be granted during the timeframe specified within the solicitation upon sufficient demonstration and documentation as outlined in the M/WBE Utilization Plan application.
NYCHA Application for Waiver/Partial Waiver of M/WBE Utilization Plan

Doing Business with NYCHA

To participate in NYCHA's procurement opportunities and download bid documents, M/WBEs must register with iSupplier, NYCHA's free online procurement portal. For registration information, visit iSupplier Registration. NYCHA also encourages M/WBEs to register with the City Record to learn about procurement opportunities with NYCHA.

Resources & Tools

NYC Online Directory for Certified M/WBE Businesses: Visit NYC Small Business Services (SBS) to search a database of businesses certified as M/WBEs across the New York City area. You can tailor your search for your specific needs and look up vendor contact information. NYCHA has put together a guide for the directory, which provides instructions on how to use the directory as well as tips for finding relevant M/WBEs.

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC): Visit the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) for training and other resources that help businesses interested in local, state, and federal government contracting.

NYC Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses Enterprises: Visit the NYC Mayor’s Office of M/WBE to learn more about steps to become certified, contracting and RFP opportunities, trainings, workshops, and other helpful resources.

Contracting Financing Loan: Visit NYC Business for more information on Contract Financing Loans if your business is working on or planning to work on a project with a City agency or City-funded entity as a prime or subcontractor.

The City Record Online: Access a searchable database of notices, including public hearings, meetings, solicitations, and awards. New users can sign up for an account to receive email notifications about select areas of interest.

NYCHA’s M/WBE Office Hours: Quarterly meetings held virtually for M/WBE vendors who want to learn more about doing business with NYCHA. M/WBE vendors interested in attending the M/WBE Office Hours must contact smp.mwbe@nycha.nyc.gov to receive a virtual meeting invitation.

Questions?

For more information, please see our M/WBE FAQs. If you have additional questions after reviewing the FAQs, please contact procurement@nycha.nyc.gov.

We will continue to provide regular updates on NYCHA’s M/WBE Program and contracting opportunities in the coming months.