NYCHA Now

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NYCHA Now
May 2016 

NYCHA Extends Business Opportunities to All New Yorkers

Latoya Jordan
General Manager Michael Kelly, standing center, at NYCHA’s information table, with executives and staff from the Risk Finance, Procurement, Supply Management and Leased Housing Departments and the Offices of Safety and Security and the Chief Administrative Officer.

NYCHA hosted its 2016 Minority-and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) and Section 3 Business Concerns (S3BC) Trade Show at BNY Mellon in Manhattan on April 19. More than 300 vendors, contractors, and consultants were in attendance—excited about the opportunities to provide some of the $1 billion of materials, supplies, and services NYCHA purchases each year.

Guests learned about business opportunities at more than 30 other participating government agencies and prime contractors, including Con Edison, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, and the United States Small Business Administration.

In her opening remarks, Vice President for Supply Management and Procurement Josephine Russo noted, “We are very proud that, beginning this year, our annual trade fair is welcoming Section 3 business concerns—which are resident-owned or resident-employing businesses—to the trade show.”

Many resident entrepreneurs attended, including Red Hook Houses West resident Karen Blondel, whose non-profit business refers residents and others to training and apprentice opportunities that can lead to employment in unionized construction and related fields.

“Our development has $240 million for flood mitigation and resiliency work from FEMA, including new boilers. We are working in conjunction with NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES) and community-based organizations to leverage and facilitate more hiring through Section 3,” Ms. Blondel said.

“City procurement is a powerful tool,” said EVP and Chief Administrative Officer Kerri Jew. “We are committed to ensuring that M/WBE and Section 3 business concerns have opportunities to make our developments a better place for residents to live.”

In order to participate in NYCHA’s procurement opportunities, businesses must register with iSupplier, a free online portal, where they can submit bids. In Fiscal Year 2015, NYCHA awarded $274,458,250 in contracts to City-certified M/WBEs.

“I attended last year’s trade show and found an opportunity with NYCHA to restore exterior walls, and an environmental firm that we sub-contracted with to help perform the work,” said Evelyn Buhler of Buhler Superstructure.

Briefly outlining aspects of NextGeneration NYCHA—our 10-year strategic plan to create safe, clean and connected communities— Chair and CEO Shola Olatoya remarked: “As we work to be a better landlord and change the way we do business, we need your help by bring our values of excellence and accountability to your work.”

During the afternoon, NYCHA staff from various departments held workshops on how to navigate NYCHA procurement processes, including registering with iSupplier, and financial experts discussed bonding requirements.