By Isseu Diouf Campbell
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO James Patchett announced at a press conference last month that nearly $80 million in projects are already in the pipeline to be awarded to McKissack and McKissack, Noble Strategy, and Armand, three minority or women-owned construction management firms.
Mr. Patchett was joined by Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery, City-wide Director of the M/WBE program; Director of the Office of M/WBEs and Senior Advisor Jonnel Doris, and dozens of representatives from M/WBE construction firms and ConstructNYC contractors.
In addition, NYCEDC is rolling out the first cohort of prequalified M/WBE ConstructNYC contractors who will have exclusive access to bid on certain NYCEDC projects.
In 2016, NYCEDC launched the ConstructNYC program to catalyze the prequalification and development of small to medium-sized M/WBE contractors through comprehensive training, on-site technical assistance, and mentorship. Once prequalified, M/WBE contractors have exclusive access to bid on certain NYCEDC projects up to $1 million, access to mobilization capital to prevent cash-flow gaps, and to receive fast-tracked payments.
ConstructNYC training, provided by the Business Outreach Center, consists of one-on-one technical assistance and business development courses that cover operations and financial management. The program aims to award $25 million in contracts to prequalified ConstructNYC firms by the end of this year. NYCEDC has prequalified 32 firms to date, including electricians, HVAC firms, and general contractors.
Furthering efforts to support diverse and emerging businesses in the construction and building trades, NYCEDC is also entering retainer contracts with M/WBE firms Noble Strategy, Armand, and McKissack and McKissack to oversee projects, including pipeline projects valued at nearly $80 million, such as the general rehabilitation and maintenance at the Brooklyn Army Terminal and infrastructure improvement at the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. In turn, these firms, along with Skanska and Gilbane Building Company, will utilize prequalified ConstructNYC firms to work on certain critical construction projects throughout the City. All five construction management firms have committed to meeting a 30 to 38 percent M/WBE participation goal.
For more information on this program and for a list of ConstructNYC firms, visit edc.nyc/constructnyc.
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