New York State Governor David Paterson signed into law four bills on July 15th that aim to "correct the disparities in government contracting" for minority and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs).

The following are the M/WBE-related bills approved by the governor:

• Governor's Program Bill No. 297 (S.8312/ A.11525): Authorizes the state to purchase up to $200,000 in goods and services from small businesses and M/WBEs without formal competitive bidding procedures.

• Governor's Program Bill No. 298 (S.8313/ A.11526): Amends the Public Authorities Law to: Allow for the non-competitive award of goods or services contracts to small businesses and M/WBEs when the estimated cost is equal to or below $200,000; Require each public authority to designate at least one staffer to oversee its M/WBE program; Mandate that public authorities publish notices of procurements to professional and other organizations serving M/WBEs; and Require public authorities to establish  "appropriate" M/WBE contracting goals and, to the best of their ability, meet the goals. The legislation also mandates that public authorities publish an annual report on M/WBE contracting.

• Governor's Program Bill No. 299 (S.8314/ A.11527): Authorizes the state to commission a new disparity study on M/WBE utilization in state contracting. It also creates the position of Chief Diversity Officer that will be seated on the state's Procurement Council; requires the state and its agencies to establish annual M/WBE participation goals and more proactively promote M/WBE utilization; and threatens contractors that skirt M/WBE utilization with debarment.

• Emerging Investment Managers Bill (S.6888/ A.9976): Creates a strategy for emerging investment managers under the oversight of the state's Comptroller the ability to invest with M/WBE financial institutions and promotes investment in underserved regions of the state. 

To read the Governor's Office press release, visit:
http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/071510MWBE.html

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) are not taking advantaged of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) bond reimbursement dollars, says the US Department of Transportation (US DOT).

"It is surprising that a large number of DBEs at [outreach] meetings were not aware of the reimbursement program," wrote Allen Masuda, US DOT's Associate Administrator for Civil Rights, in an email circulated to DBE program officials. "For DBEs that are working on or have worked on Recovery Act projects, this could mean missing out on receiving several thousands of dollars."

To date, only $250,000 of the $20 million allocated by the ARRA has been paid out to the Bonding Assistance Reimbursable Fee Program (BAP).

Under BAP, which is administered by the US DOT's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, DBEs are eligible to be reimbursed for bonding premiums and fees incurred when competing for, or performing on, transportation infrastructure projects funded by ARRA as a subcontractor or prime contractor. Only premiums paid to the surety company for performance, payment or bid/proposal bonds issued on or after August 28, 2009 will be reimbursed.

In the event that the DBE also obtains a bond guarantee from Small Business Administration's Surety Bond Guarantee Program, the US DOT will also reimburse the DBE for the small business concern fee of .729% of the contract price.

Without Congressional approval, BAP is scheduled to expire on September 8, 2010.

To learn more or apply for reimbursement, visit:
www.dot.gov/recovery/ost/osdbu/

$50 million Revolving Loan Fund for small businesses created

Access to capital may be easier now for New York State's small businesses. Earlier this month, the state established a $50 million Revolving Loan Fund, which is supported by $25 million in state funds and $25 million in private matching funds from selected lending institutions, following recommendations by Governor David Paterson's Small Business Task Force.

"At the heart of our State's economy are small businesses," said Empire State Development Chairman and CEO Dennis M. Mullen. "All across New York - from Buffalo to New York City - small firms supply their local area with vitally needed goods and services. This fund is targeted towards those everyday businesses that are having trouble in our current economy. The Small Business Revolving Loan Fund will provide small businesses with access to fair and affordable capital."

The loans may be used for working capital, acquisition and or improvement of real property, the acquisition of machinery and equipment, or the refinancing of debt obligations.

To meet the criteria of a small business, the firm must be defined as resident in New York State, independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field, and with one hundred or fewer employees.

To read Governor Paterson's press release on the Revolving Loan Fund, visit: http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/07072010SmBusinessRevolving
LoanFund.html

For more information on New York State's Small Business Division, visit: http://www.empire.state.ny.us/SmallBusiness.html 

Let us help with your 'GFE'

Since its start in 2005, DBE GoodFaith Inc. has become a leader in disadvantaged business outreach, having helped over 1,110 firms meet contracts' outreach  requirements on more than 6,000 contract bids.

With DBE GoodFaith's intuitive outreach service, disadvantaged businesses (DBEs & M/WBEs) can be targeted to receive subcontracting and supplier opportunities for your contract. Our system allows users to:

• Place DBE & M/WBE outreach ads online;

• Automatically fax and email invitations to bid to DBE subcontractors of the users choice;

• Complete initial phone call solicitations with the help of DBE GoodFaith's call center; and

• Automatically document all outreach performed.

For more information on how DBE GoodFaith can help your business, contact a representative at (877) 802-3394 or visit www.dbegoodfaith.com.

DBE GoodFaith Inc. | P.O. Box 521 | Newark, CA 94560
www.dbegoodfaith.com | info@dbegoodfaith.com
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