Award Represents Record M/WBE Commitment to Public Works Project in New York-New Jersey Region
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recently announced US$1 billion in direct World Trade Center contracts to minority and women-owned business enterprises, generating 2, 417 jobs for regional small businesses and more than US$1.3 billion in economic activity. The US$1 billion represents a record M/WBE commitment to a public works project in the New York and New Jersey region.
Over the past five years, nearly 200 minority and women-owned businesses have won close to 500 World Trade Center contracts in construction, architectural and engineering, as well as goods and services procurement categories. The $1 billion milestone was achieved through the efforts of Port Authority staff from the World Trade Center Construction, Office of Business Diversity and Civil Rights and Procurement departments working with prime contractors and construction managers to ensure M/WBE participation goals were met. Each of the World Trade Center contracts has a specific M/WBE goal, typically 17 percent of the total contract amount, which is in line with the agency’s overall contracting goal for such firms.
Chairman David Samson said, “Our aggressive programs are helping minority, women-owned and small businesses that often have difficulty accessing ongoing projects such as the World Trade Center redevelopment. This program supports the creation of jobs and our mission for economic growth in the region.”
Executive Director Patrick Foye said, “As we approach the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, we believe this $1 billion contract award level is a notable mark in the long march to economic prosperity for our region. Encouraging diversity, including among the vendors we do business with, is an important goal for the Port Authority as part of the leadership role we must play in our region’s economic development. We’ve made a commitment to ensure that we level the playing field to ensure that all companies – regardless of their makeup or size – have the ability to compete for business on our projects.”
Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni said, “Creating jobs during these tough economic times is critical to the region’s economic stability. This program makes sure that we get the best, most diverse work force on the job at all Port Authority facilities.”
Lash Green, the Port Authority’s Director of the Office of Business Diversity and Civil Rights, said, “We will not allow a prime contractor to receive an award until they have provided us with an M/WBE Participation Plan that details how they will meet the M/WBE subcontracting goals in their contract, typically, 17 percent.”
John Livingston, President of Tishman Construction and AECOM Company, the General Contractors for One World Trade Center and the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, said “Because of the strong commitment from the Port Authority to MWBE contracting, Tishman put an aggressive plan in place to meet the goals that were set. We’re constantly working with all of our clients at the World Trade Center and elsewhere to achieve the highest M/WBE participation rates possible on our job sites.”
The Port Authority has long had a strong commitment to M/WBEs and maintains one of the most comprehensive M/WBE programs in the region. Through the Office of Business Diversity and Civil Rights, established more than 25 years ago, the agency provides dedicated services and programs to attract, certify and support MWSBEs in both New York and New Jersey.
CONTACT: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Steve Coleman or Justine Karp, at 212 435-7777
