The Business Development Division (BDD) assists in the economic development of construction-trade contractors, design and other construction-related firms. This is accomplished in part by first certifying firms as a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) or Locally-Based Business Enterprise (LBE). Because all firms must be prequalified in order to do business with the SCA, the BDD works closely with the Contractor Qualification Unit in assisting MBE, WBE and LBE firms to become prequalified.
The BDD has five main focuses: Contract Compliance; Minority Business Certification/Recertification; Minority Business Outreach; Minority Business Development & Training; and High School and College Internship Programs.
SCA contractors are required to make a good faith effort to sub-contract 20% of their contracts to certified minority- and women-owned firms and are mandated to sub-contract not less than 10% to certified locally-based enterprises for an optimum total M/W/LBE participation of 30%. However, as long as the contractor meets the legally required LBE goal, the Authority will accept a minimum of 10% toward the desired 20% on all contracts that exceed one million dollars. General Contractors are required to submit a certified minority sub-contracting plan within ten days after the bid opening. The contract cannot be signed or awarded until the BDD receives a minority sub-contracting plan outlining at least 20% M/W/LBE participation. The BDD monitors contracts through completion and issues initial and substantial completion contractor evaluations to ensure that the M/WBE goals and the LBE mandate are met. It also provides contractors with a list of certified M/W/LBE firms to promote compliance with these goals.
The BDD reviews applications from potential M/W/LBE firms and makes determinations of eligibility based on the documentation submitted. Documents reviewed by the BDD include ownership records, stock certificates and tax returns. To accelerate the certification process, the SCA is a member of a uniform certification program. Firms that are already certified as MBE, WBE or LBEs by any one of the participating agencies can obtain expedited approval from the SCA upon submission of their certification letters from the other agencies. Other participating agencies are: the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the New York City Department of Business Services and the New York State Department of Economic Development.
Firms seeking certification with the SCA can call (718) 472-8899 or go the following link: MWLBE Certification Page.
The BDD recruits M/W/LBE firms for certification through participation in various minority trade shows, conferences and forums. Firms can also call or walk in to request certification applications. Outreach is a very critical element of our program. A prime contractor can use only certified minority firms to satisfy their M/WBE goals and LBE mandate. Firms may not participate in the Mentor Program unless they are currently certified. Firms must also be certified before they can take advantage of our free business development classes.
Some of the obstacles that restrict the growth and development of qualified M/W/LBEs in NYC’s construction industry are lack of access to capital and surety bonding and lack of industry and technology training. The BDD addresses these obstacles through a number of development programs and training courses.
Small Business Loan Program
In association with Carver Federal Savings Bank, the SCA has developed a unique financial partnership that provides access to capital for small emerging contractors. Firms who participate in the Mentor Program are eligible for loan of up to $100k for each project.
Surety Bond Program
In association with the team of Willis/ACE Surety, a surety bonding program was created for firms who are graduating from the Mentor Program. In order to perform work within the Graduate Mentor Program, participating firms must have bonding.
Construction and Information Technology Training
In conjunction with the SCA’s Mentor Program Construction Managers and Data Industries, the SCA has implemented an innovative and effective construction and information technology classroom training program. The program offers certified M/WBEs training in critical areas: Estimating I & II; Project Scheduling; Procurement; Bidding Strategies; Contract and Construction Law; Requisitions and Cash Flow; Safety on SCA Projects; Developing a Profitable Business; How to Do Business with the SCA.
Information Technology courses include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Quickbooks Pro and Suretrak.
The SCA sponsors two internship programs that provide high school students and college students with the opportunity to work at the SCA or at an architecture, engineering or construction management firm.
Summer Internship Program
The Summer Internship Program provides over 200 high-school juniors and seniors with summer employment opportunities at the SCA or at various architectural, engineering and construction firms, as well as vendors/construction suppliers. Students are referred to the SCA by guidance counselors at various city high schools. The program requirements are that college-bound high school juniors and seniors have an average grade of 80 or higher and express an interest in design and construction.
Summer Interns work a total of four days (24 hours) per week at the firms to which they are assigned; they spend one day in class learning resume writing, team building, self esteem, etc. The program starts at the beginning of July and runs for six weeks, ending in August.
High School And College Internship Programs
The College internship program recruits twenty-five college juniors and seniors pursuing careers in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction management. The program enables college students to supplement their core educational experience with work experience in the construction industry.
College interns work a maximum of twenty-hours per week year-round from October through August. College interns who successfully complete the program will have an opportunity to apply for permanent positions with the SCA.