NYC Department of Design and Construction creates MWBE pre-qualified list

NY News - Published Aug 16, 2022

The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has announced that it has created the City's first Pre-Qualified List (or PQL) that is specific to minority- and woman-owned business (MWBEs) general contractors. MWBEs that are listed on such a PQL are thereby given the exclusive right to bid on DDC projects that are valued between $500,000 and $2.99 million. 

Inclusion on the PQL is not automatic - MWBE general contractors must be screened by the agency both for their ability to complete various types of projects and for their history of compliance with relevant governmental regulations. MWBEs may apply for being listed on the PQL through the normal certification process with the City generally (at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sbs/businesses/certify-with-the-city.page).

DDC awarded 334 contracts worth a total $660 million to MWBEs in fiscal year 2021, representing nearly 26 percent of total spending on projects subject to Local Law 1. Currently, the DDC PQL lists only seven firms, but with applications being accepted and encouraged, that number is expected to grow.

"DDC was already one of the leading agencies for M/WBE contract awards and this PQL plus innovations like our new mentoring program will expand on that success," said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley in a statement.

Read the press release from the DDC at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ddc/about/press-releases/2022/pr-071322-MWBE.page.