The SCA’s goal is to develop, expand and manage a successful minority-owned, woman-owned and local business enterprise (MWLBE) program that effectively promotes the growth, education and prosperity of the largest possible group of diverse certified and qualified firms; to facilitate the successful participation of these firms in the Mentor program; and to encourage the creation of other opportunities for these firms in the greater construction industry.
Outreach & Prequalification
In fulfilling this, SCA conducts outreach to encourage MWLBE firms to prequalify and certify to bid on projects and certifies vendors as MWLBEs. SCA’s Construction Management Department manages the Mentor and Graduate Mentor programs. This Department is responsible for the Mentor program training curriculum. It also provides training and capacity building resources to MWBEs not in the Mentor program. The department also enforces compliance with the SCA's MWLBE and work force participation goals on construction projects.
SCA provides Summer Internship opportunities for high school students, a year-round college program, and a construction back-office workforce development program -- Opportunity Academy. In performing these and related tasks, the department works very closely with the Prequalification Division (which qualifies firms to do business with the SCA), Procurement, Construction Management, and other SCA departments.
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 percent of the work to an MWBE firms and 10 percent 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. Firms not engaged in construction are not eligible for LBE certification.
Review confirmation of receipt or approval timeline
Monitor application status and follow up if needed
Begin onboarding process once MWLBE approval is granted
To be certified as a minority or woman-owned business enterprise, a business must:
Be in operation for at least one year;
Operate in New York or possess a license issued by New York City;
At minimum, be 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a woman or a member of an ethnic minority group;
Existing businesses whose ownership and control has been transferred to minorities or women must be in the control of the minorities/women a minimum of one year prior to applying for certification.
In order to be certified as a locally based enterprise, a company must:
Be in operation for at least one year;
Be in the general contracting business, the heavy construction business, the mechanical, plumbing, fire suppression, and electrical business, or specialty trades such as painting, landscaping, fencing, and fireproofing.
Derive 25 percent or more of its gross receipts from business conducted in economically disadvantaged areas (as defined by the NYC Department of City Planning) within New York City; AND
Hire veterans and/or residents of disadvantaged areas to comprise at least 25 percent 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 the online certification application and provide all supporting documentation, including ownership records, stock certificates, and tax returns.
Firms are certified for a period of three years. In order to be recertified, firms are required to complete an online application. Firms are strongly encouraged to recertify at least six months before their certification status expires. For assistance with your recertification application, contact the SCA Hotline at (718) 472-8899, Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm.
MWLBE Certification Appeals
A firm whose application for MWLBE certification is denied has the right to appeal this decision within ten days of receipt of the denial letter. The appeal should include a description of the reason(s) the firm owner believes the denial is in error and include any supporting documentation.
Allappealsmust be submitted electronically through the Vendor Access System (VAS). VAS can be accessed through https://dobusiness.nycsca.orgby using the firm’s log-in credentials.
All appeals must be addressed to:
Ms. Nadine Rivellese, General Counsel NYC School Construction Authority 25-01 Jackson Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101
If the applicant firm fails to appeal within thirty days, the Director's determination will be final. The General Counsel's decision concerning the appeal will constitute the final determination. The applicant may not reapply for certification for one year if the appeal is denied. If facts and circumstances forming the basis of the denial have changed significantly, then the applicant may request permission to apply sooner.
Denial of MWLBE certification does not preclude a firm from seeking contracts with the NYC School Construction Authority.
MWLBE Utilization Plan
All contractors who receive notice that they are the low bidder on a Capital Improvement Program or Capacity project are required, within ten days, to submit their MWLBE Utilization Plan, detailing how they intend to meet the SCA's 30% MWLBE utilization goal. The utilization plan will identify all subcontractors that a prime contractor is considering using on that project.
The utilization plan is submitted through the SCA’s Vendor Access System and is reviewed by staff in the Business Development Department. If the submitted plan achieves 30% MWLBE subcontractor participation, it will be accepted and the prime contractor will receive an email acknowledging acceptance. If it does not achieve 30% MWLBE participation, the plan will be rejected and sent back to the prime for additional work so it can be resubmitted.
Business The SCA’s goal is to develop, expand and manage a successful minority-owned, woman-owned and local business enterprise (MWLBE) program that effectively promotes the growth, education and prosperity of the largest possible group of diverse certified and qualified firms; to facilitate the successful participation of these firms in the Mentor program; and to encourage the creation of other opportunities for these firms in the greater construction industry. MWLBE In fulfilling this, SCA conducts outreach to encourage MWLBE firms to prequalify and certify to bid on projects and certifies vendors as MWLBEs. SCA’s Construction Management Department manages the Mentor and Graduate Mentor programs. This Department is responsible for the Mentor program training curriculum. It also provides training and capacity building resources to MWBEs not in the Mentor program. The department also enforces compliance with the SCA's MWLBE and work force participation goals on construction projects. SCA provides Summer Internship opportunities for high school students, a year-round college program, and a construction back-office workforce development program -- Opportunity Academy. In performing these and related tasks, the department works very closely with the Prequalification Division (which qualifies firms to do business with the SCA), Procurement, Construction Management, and other SCA departments. Outreach & Prequalification The SCA's Mentor Program provides qualified and certified MWLBEs with training and opportunities to work on SCA projects.To learn more about the SCA's Mentor Programs, visit SCA Mentor Programs.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 percent of the work to an MWBE firms and 10 percent 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. Firms not engaged in construction are not eligible for LBE certification. The Benefits of Being MWLBE-Certified Requirements for Certifying as a MWLBE Check eligibility requirements for MWLBE certificationGather necessary documentation and certificationsComplete and submit the MWLBE application formUpload supporting documents (licenses, tax forms, etc.)Review confirmation of receipt or approval timelineMonitor application status and follow up if neededBegin onboarding process once MWLBE approval is granted To be certified as a minority or woman-owned business enterprise, a business must:Be in operation for at least one year;Operate in New York or possess a license issued by New York City;At minimum, be 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a woman or a member of an ethnic minority group;Existing businesses whose ownership and control has been transferred to minorities or women must be in the control of the minorities/women a minimum of one year prior to applying for certification. To complete the online certification application, click Certification Application. Requirements for Certifying as a LBE In order to be certified as a locally based enterprise, a company must:Be in operation for at least one year;Be in the general contracting business, the heavy construction business, the mechanical, plumbing, fire suppression, and electrical business, or specialty trades such as painting, landscaping, fencing, and fireproofing. Derive 25 percent or more of its gross receipts from business conducted in economically disadvantaged areas (as defined by the NYC Department of City Planning) within New York City; AND Hire veterans and/or residents of disadvantaged areas to comprise at least 25 percent 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 the online certification application and provide all supporting documentation, including ownership records, stock certificates, and tax returns. To complete the online certification application, click Certification Application Recertification Firms are certified for a period of three years. In order to be recertified, firms are required to complete an online application. Firms are strongly encouraged to recertify at least six months before their certification status expires. For assistance with your recertification application, contact the SCA Hotline at (718) 472-8899, Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm. MWLBE Certification Appeals A firm whose application for MWLBE certification is denied has the right to appeal this decision within ten days of receipt of the denial letter. The appeal should include a description of the reason(s) the firm owner believes the denial is in error and include any supporting documentation. All appeals must be submitted electronically through the Vendor Access System (VAS). VAS can be accessed through https://dobusiness.nycsca.org by using the firm’s log-in credentials. All appeals must be addressed to:Ms. Nadine Rivellese, General CounselNYC School Construction Authority25-01 Jackson AvenueLong Island City, NY 11101If the applicant firm fails to appeal within thirty days, the Director's determination will be final. The General Counsel's decision concerning the appeal will constitute the final determination. The applicant may not reapply for certification for one year if the appeal is denied. If facts and circumstances forming the basis of the denial have changed significantly, then the applicant may request permission to apply sooner.Denial of MWLBE certification does not preclude a firm from seeking contracts with the NYC School Construction Authority. MWLBE Utilization Plan All contractors who receive notice that they are the low bidder on a Capital Improvement Program or Capacity project are required, within ten days, to submit their MWLBE Utilization Plan, detailing how they intend to meet the SCA's 30% MWLBE utilization goal. The utilization plan will identify all subcontractors that a prime contractor is considering using on that project. The utilization plan is submitted through the SCA’s Vendor Access System and is reviewed by staff in the Business Development Department. If the submitted plan achieves 30% MWLBE subcontractor participation, it will be accepted and the prime contractor will receive an email acknowledging acceptance. If it does not achieve 30% MWLBE participation, the plan will be rejected and sent back to the prime for additional work so it can be resubmitted.
