Opportunity MWD encourages participation and inclusion of minority- or women-owned businesses in various NYCEDC projects by: 

• Support and information to MWD contractors and consultants on the NYCEDC Vendors List about NYCEDC’s business practices
• Marketing and networking through meetings and events
• Assisting primary contractors/consultants with the hiring of certified MWD subcontractors/sub consultants for NYCEDC projects
• Increasing ability and knowledge through training workshops and seminars
• Assisting self-identified MWD’s with the NYC Certification application throughone-on-one technical assistance and group workshops/seminars

Apply for the NYCEDC Vendors List
As the first step in taking advantage of Opportunity MWD, NYCEDC encourages all interested MWD construction and consulting firms, both certified and self-identified, to apply with the NYCEDC Vendors List. This list is a resource that NYCEDC uses to notify companies of potential contracting opportunities in various fields and trades.

By having your company added to our Vendors List, you will receive notification of upcoming contracting opportunities in your field(s) of expertise as they become available.

Opportunity MWD currently accepts businesses primarily owned, operated, and controlled by women and/or minorities that are certified as M/WBE with New York City through New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS).

• Increased access to bid on City-funded contracts under $1 million 
• Exclusive networking opportunities with government buyers 
• One-on-one procurement counseling and assistance with bid preparation 
• Free advertising in the Online Directory of Certified Businesses

Eligibility
To be certified as M/WBE by New York City, an eligible applicant business needs to complete the “Minority – and – or Women Owned Business Enterprise Certification Application” and submit the requested supporting documents to the SBS. SBS requires that all interested business meet the following requirements to be certified:

• Business is at least 51% owned and operated by a minority and/or a woman; 
• US Citizen or permanent resident alien; and
• Business has been in operation for at least a year.

To learn more about the NYC M/WBE Certification process or to obtain the M/WBE Certification Application, please view the City's Get Certified Information or dial 311 within New York City.

We’ve put together a list of common questions and answers regarding M/WBE and certification.

Does applying for the NYCEDC Vendors List mean I am certified as M/WBE with New York City?
No. Our Vendors List is an internal database of firms interested in doing business with NYCEDC. New York City M/WBE Certification is a distinct process administered by SBS.

Who certifies businesses?
There are both private and public agencies that certify businesses as M/WBEs. While there is some cooperation between agencies, there is currently no reciprocity between agencies for certified businesses. A business will need to apply separately to each agency.   In New York City metro area, following agencies will certify businesses: 

• New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
• New York City School Construction Authority (SCA)
• New York State Department of Economic Development, Division of Minority & Women’s Business Development  (ESDC)
• Port Authority of New York/New Jersey (PANY/NJ)
• US Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Women Presidents’ Educational Organization 
• New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. 

What certifications are available for businesses?
Following are four most common certifications: 

• Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) – To be certified as a WBE, a business must show ownership by a woman for at least 51% of the business. 
• Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) – An MBE business has at least 51% ownership by a member of a minority population.
• Locally Based Enterprise (LBE) – The LBE program is for small construction and construction related companies in New York City with annual revenue of less than $2 million. LBE firms must conduct at least 25% of their work in economically disadvantaged areas. NYC requires all prime contractors to use LBE certified sub-contractors to complete at least 10% of the total value of their contracts. 
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) – This is a federal designation that requires businesses to meet economic and size standards established by US Small Business Administration. This certification is race and gender neutral.

Is there assistance available during the certification process?
NYCEDC and SBS have staff members available to provide technical assistance on the certification process. On a monthly basis, SBS holds group seminars on completing the certification application. M/WBE staff at NYCEDC is also available to provide one-on-one technical assistance to businesses on the certification related issues. In addition, M/WBE staff can work with neighborhood groups to bring the certification and other technical workshops directly to the community.

Eliberty Jimenez
Program Manager, Opportunity MWD
(212) 312-3712

Or send an email to opportunitymwd@nycedc.com.