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Assembly Actions -
Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
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| Jul 15, 2010 |
signed chap.175 |
| Jul 06, 2010 |
delivered to governor |
| Jun 29, 2010 |
returned to senate passed assembly ordered to third reading rules cal.465 substituted for a11527 |
| Jun 25, 2010 |
referred to ways and means delivered to assembly passed senate ordered to third reading cal.1257 |
| Jun 22, 2010 |
referred to rules |
Senate Bill S8314
Signed By Governor2009-2010 Legislative Session
Relates to expanding opportunities for women and minority-owned business enterprises and increasing competition and diversity in procurements by the state and its pu
download bill text pdfSponsored By
(D, WF) Senate District
Archive: Last Bill Status - Signed by Governor
- Introduced
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- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
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- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
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- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- Delivered to Governor
- Signed By Governor
Actions
Votes
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Floor Vote: Jun 25, 2010
aye (32)nay (20)
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Jun 25, 2010 - Rules Committee Vote
S831417Aye1Nay3Aye with Reservations1Absent1Excused0Abstained -
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co-Sponsors
(D, WF) 35th Senate District
(D) Senate District
(D) Senate District
(D, WF) Senate District
(D) Senate District
(D) Senate District
(D, WF) 28th Senate District
(D) Senate District
(D, WF) Senate District
(D, WF) 21st Senate District
(D, WF) Senate District
(D, WF) Senate District
(D, WF) Senate District
(D, IP) Senate District
(D, WF) Senate District
(D, WF) 29th Senate District
(D, WF) Senate District
(D) 11th Senate District
(D) Senate District
(D, WF) Senate District
2009-S8314 (ACTIVE) - Details
- See Assembly Version of this Bill:
- A11527
- Law Section:
- Executive Law
- Laws Affected:
- Amd §§310, 312-a, 313, 315, 314 & 316, add §§4-a, 313-a & 316-a, Exec L; amd §161, St Fin L; amd §121, Chap 261 of 1988
2009-S8314 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:S8314
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law and the state finance law, in
relation to expanding opportunities for women and minority-owned
business enterprises and increasing competition and diversity in
procurements by the state and its public authorities; and to amend
chapter 261 of the laws of 1988 amending the state finance law and
other laws relating to the New York state infrastructure trust fund,
in relation to the effectiveness of article 15-A of the executive law
PURPOSE:
This bill would amend the Executive Law and State Finance Law to
increase accountability under Article 15-a of the Executive Law and
the Public Authorities Law, to expand opportunities for minority and
women-owned business enterprises ("MWBE") and to rectify past
discrimination in contracting as set forth in the disparity study
published on April 29, 2010 (the "2010 Disparity Study").
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill would set forth legislative findings.
Section 1-a of the bill would set forth the title of the law.
Section 2 of the bill would amend Executive Law § 310 to add
definitions of "lessee," "personal net worth," "small business, "the
2010 disparity study," and "diversity practices," and amends the
definitions of "minority-owned business enterprise" and "women-owned
business enterprise" to restrict them to small businesses and to limit
their ownership to individuals whose net worth does not exceed a
certain amount.
Section 3 of the bill would add a new Executive Law § 4-a to create
the position of Chief Diversity Officer for the State and define the
responsibilities of such officer.
Section 3-a of the bill would amend State Finance Law § 161(1)(a) to
add the Chief Diversity Officer to the New York State Procurement
Council.
Section 4 of the bill would amend Executive Law § 312-a to
recommission a statewide disparity study to be delivered to the
Governor and Legislature by February 15, 2016, and to include in that
disparity study a review of contractor employment and management
practices in regard to qualified minorities and women.
Section 5 of the bill would amend Executive Law § 313 to:
* Set statewide goals for contracting with certified MWBEs based on
the calculations of the 2010 Disparity Study, which the State will
attempt to meet;
* Require the Director ("Director") of the Division of Minority and
Women's Business Development ("DMWBD") to provide state agencies with
the 2010 Disparity Study;
* Require agencies to establish agency-specific goals for contracting
with certified MWBEs based on the 2010 disparity study;
* Provide for the promulgation of regulations by the Director to,
among other things: (a) establish measures and procedures to ensure
maximum feasible participation by MWBEs in state contracting; (b)
provide for certification and decertification of MWBEs; (c) require
contract solicitations to state the expected degree of MWBE
participation; (d) require agencies to provide a list of certified
MWBEs to prospective contractors; (e) allow certified MWBEs to use
their own work as contractors to meet subcontractor goals; (f) provide
for joint ventures that bidders may count towards MWBE participation;
(g) provide for circumstances under which a contractor may waive
obligations to subcontract with MWBEs; (g) require that agencies
verify MWBE participation; (h) provide for collection of statistical
data concerning MWBE participation; and (i) require agencies to
consult the 2010 disparity study when setting agency-specific goals.
* Define state contracts, solely for purposes of MWBE participation,
to include leases of real property where the terms of such leases
provide for construction, demolition, replacement, or major repair or
renovation of such proper1y exceeding $100,000; and
* Require agencies to engage in good faith efforts to meet the goals
they have adopted pursuant to Executive Law Article 15-A and the
Director's regulations.
Section 6 of the bill would amend the Executive Law to add a new
section 313-a to require the Director to promulgate regulations
requiring state agencies to assess the diversity practices of
contractors submitting bids or proposals in connection with the award
of a State contract where practicable, feasible and appropriate.
These regulations are required to be adopted in consultation with the
State Procurement Council established pursuant to Executive Law § 161.
Section 7 of the bill would amend Executive Law § 315 to require
enhanced reporting by state entities regarding their compliance with
the provisions of Article IS-A, and the submission of an annual report
by the Director assessing the effectiveness of each State entity's
MWBE program. Section 7 of the bill would also require that agencies
that substantially fail to meet their agency-specific goals must
submit to the Director a remedial action plan. Where the Director
finds that an agency has failed within one year to act in good faith
to implement the remedial action plan, the Director would direct
additional remedial measures as follows:
* Assurance that the agency is making sufficient and effective efforts
to solicit MWBEs;
* Division of contract requirements when economically feasible;
* Elimination of extended capitalization and experience requirements
when programmatically and economically feasible;
* Identification of particular contracts as particularly appropriate
for MWBEs; and
* Upon a finding by the Director that an agency has failed to take
affirmative measures to follow the remedial actions set forth by the
director and in the absence of objective progress towards the agency's
goals, require some or all of the agency's procurement to be placed
under the direction or control of another agency or agencies for a
specified period of time.
Section 8 of the bill would amend Executive Law § 314(2-a) to revise
the procedures under which the Director certifies MWBEs for New York
municipalities to add a cap on personal net worth of $3.5 million
adjusted for inflation, and to require that an MWBE be a small
business.
Section 9 of the bill would amend Executive Law § 316 to enhance the
penalties for contractors that willfully or intentionally disregard
their responsibilities to utilize MWBE firms. Such enhanced penalties
include debarment of contractors from submitting bids to any
contracting agency for a period of up to one year, or up to five years
if a second violation occurs within a five-year period. Section 9
would also amend the dispute resolution procedures of Article 15-A to
require complaints to be heard by a hearing officer of the DMWBD
rather than an outside arbitrator.
Section 10 of the bill would amend the Executive Law to add a new
section 316-a to require State agencies to include a provision in
their contracts that would permit them to assess liquidated or other
appropriate damages against a contractor for failure to comply with
the MWBE requirements.
Section 11 of the bill would provide a severability clause.
Section 12 of the bill would authorize and direct the State Financial
System to assist the Director in the implementation of this Act.
Section 13 of the bill would amend the opening paragraph of
subdivision (h) of section 121 of Chapter 261 of the Laws of 1988 to
move the date on which Article 15-E of the Executive Law is deemed
repealed from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2016.
Section 14 of the bill would provide that this legislation take effect
90 days after it becomes law, but further provides that the Director
shall commence rulemaking procedures immediately upon enactment.
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2006, the Empire State Development Corporation commissioned a
disparity study to evaluate whether minority and women-owned
businesses had a full and" fair opportunity to participate in state
contracting. The results of that study were published on April 29,
2010, under the title "The State of Minority and Women-Owned Business
Enterprises: Evidence from New York." The report found evidence of
statistically significant disparities between participation of MWBEs
in the New York market and the availability of such businesses. It
concluded that these disparities could not be explained by factors
untainted 'by discrimination.
This legislation is one of three bills that seek to address the
findings of the disparity study, to remedy the results of past
discrimination and to provide MWBEs with a full and fair opportunity
to compete for contracting opportunities in New York State. The
legislation also addresses recommendations of the task force created
by Governor Paterson under Executive Order No. 10 to increase the
utilization of minority and woman-owned business enterprise
underwriters for State debt offerings ("MWBE Task Force"). The MWBE
Task Force, which issued its final report on March 24, 2010, also
considered other sectors of professional services (legal, banking,
financial brokerage and insurance) and made recommendations regarding
the procurement of these services to level the playing field and to
help ensure that firms in these sectors were given fair and adequate
opportunity to participate in State business. As part of its report,
the Task Force recommended that legislation be enacted to increase
accountability on the part of State agencies and public authorities
regarding their compliance with existing provisions of law pertaining
to participation by MWBEs and to promote the State's utilization of
MWBE and non-MWBE firms that have sound diversity practices.
Although New York State currently has laws that address procurement
from MWBEs and, while such laws have continued to evolve since 1973
when the New York State Office of Minority Business Enterprise was
first established, those laws have not been sufficiently effective
because of the lack of adequate oversight, reporting and
accountability by State entities. Therefore, this legislation seeks to
provide a framework so that State agencies and public authorities can
be held accountable for their commitment to MWBE participation and
diversity in the area of procurement. Specifically, it would provide
for agency-specific goals based on the disparity study; establish a
road map for agency efforts to meet those goals, including the
adoption of remedial plans for substantial failure to do so; grant the
Director various tools to alter agency contracting practices when
there is a lack of good faith efforts to implement the remedial plan;
create a new process for resolution of disputes; and impose new
sanctions for bad faith actions by contractors.
Finally, the legislation would adopt several measures to focus Article
15-A on the goal of remedying the discrimination set forth in the
disparity study, by assisting those businesses that have been
historically excluded. In particular, it would impose a net worth cap
on the ownership of certified MWBEs, require that such certification
l;>e limited to small businesses, provide that Article 15-A sunset in
December 2016, two years earlier than under current law, and authorize
a new disparity study to determine the status of the market and any
evidence of continuing discrimination at the time the statute comes up
for reauthorization.
This legislation, and the two companion bills submitted with it, will
strengthen existing tools to promote participation by MWBE firms in
state contracts and the utilization of contractors, suppliers and
consultants with sound diversity practices. Furthermore, the
legislation will help keep the State and its constituent entities
accountable for their actions in this regard. In sum, it will create a
process for remedying the past discrimination uncovered by the 2010
Disparity Study, and establish equal opportunity for all businesses in
New York.
EXISTING LAW:
Executive Law Article 15-A sets forth the current MWBE program in
state contracting.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
This bill would have no material fiscal impact on the State or
localities. It would heighten various responsibilities of State
agencies and the DMWBD, but such responsibilities would be addressed
through existing resources.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill would take effect 90 days after it becomes law, provided
that the Director may commence rulemaking procedures immediately upon
enactment.
2009-S8314 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8314
I N S E N A T E
June 22, 2010
___________
Introduced by Sen. HASSELL-THOMPSON -- (at request of the Governor) --
read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to
the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the executive law and the state finance law, in relation
to expanding opportunities for women and minority-owned business
enterprises and increasing competition and diversity in procurements
by the state and its public authorities; and to amend chapter 261 of
the laws of 1988 amending the state finance law and other laws relat-
ing to the New York state infrastructure trust fund, in relation to
the effectiveness of article 15-A of the executive law
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative findings. New York state ("the state") declares
that it is the public policy of the state to promote and encourage the
continuing economic development of minority and women-owned businesses,
that minority and women-owned businesses participate in the state
procurement process as both prime contractors and subcontractors and
that the state procurement process operate and award contracts in a
manner that is free from discrimination and bias against minority and
women-owned businesses that are ready, willing and able to engage in
business with the state.
The state first adopted its Minority and Women-Owned Business Enter-
prise Program in 1988 to address the significant underrepresentation of
minority and women-owned businesses in state contracts, despite rela-
tively large populations of minorities and women throughout the state.
The program, chaptered within article 15-A of the executive law,
supported the state's commitment to promote equal opportunity in employ-
ment for all persons, without discrimination on account of race, creed,
color, national origin, sex, age, disability or marital status, to
promote equality of economic opportunity for minority group members and
women, business enterprises owned by them, and to eradicate through
effective programs the barriers that have unreasonably impaired access
by minority and women-owned business enterprises to state contracting
opportunities.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD17551-10-0
S. 8314 2
In 2006, a disparity study was commissioned by the empire state devel-
opment corporation, pursuant to executive law section 312-a, to evaluate
whether minority and women-owned businesses in the state contracting
marketplace had full and fair opportunities to compete for prime
contracts and associated subcontracts. Published on April 29, 2010, "the
State of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise: Evidence From New
York" ("the 2010 disparity study"), found strong evidence of large,
adverse, and statistically significant disparities between minority and
women participation in business enterprise activity in the state's rele-
vant market area and the actual current availability of those busi-
nesses. The study further concluded that said disparities could not be
explained solely, or even mostly, by differences between minority and
women-owned businesses and non-minority and women-owned business popu-
lations in factors untainted by discrimination, and that the differences
therefore gave rise to a strong inference of the presence of discrimi-
nation. The findings of the study are hereby adopted by the legislature.
The legislature further finds that the Assembly conducted hearings on
the efficiency and effectiveness of services to minority and women-owned
businesses and on the effectiveness of article 15-A of the executive law
in Utica, New York on February 23, 2005, in New York City on March 3,
2005, and in Syracuse, New York on October 25, 2005; it conducted a
hearing on the efforts by public authorities to attract and retain women
and minority-owned businesses in securing contracts for construction,
goods, and services on June 11, 2002 in Albany, New York, and a hearing
on access to surety bonding on state contracts for small, minority and
women-owned businesses on April 14, 2005 in New York City. The Senate
conducted hearings on the efficiency and effectiveness of services to
minority and women-owned business and on the effectiveness of article
15-A of the executive law at the Legislative Office Building hearing
rooms in Albany, New York on February 12, 2009, on Minority and Women-
Owned Business Enterprise participation opportunities in public
finance/asset management, and on March 3, 2010 on the reform of article
15-A of the executive law.
At these hearings, testimony was received that supplemented and was
consistent with the anecdotal evidence set forth in the 2010 disparity
study that women and minority-owned businesses participate in state
procurements at significantly lower percentages than their numbers and
expertise would indicate would be expected if no discrimination had
existed and provided anecdotal evidence of continuing patterns of
discrimination.
The legislature further finds that in order to redress the discrimi-
nation documented by the study it is necessary to implement a program
that identifies businesses owned by minorities and by women and that
actively promotes the participation of such businesses in the state
procurement process. The legislature further finds that it is in the
best interests of the economic development of the state to enact the
2010 Business Diversification Act to redress discrimination against
minority and women-owned business enterprises in the state marketplace.
S 1-a. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"2010 Business Diversification Act".
S 2. Subdivisions 7 and 15 of section 310 of the executive law, as
added by chapter 261 of the laws of 1988, are amended and five new
subdivisions 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 are added to read as follows:
7. "Minority-owned business enterprise" shall mean a business enter-
prise, including a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation that
is:
S. 8314 3
(a) at least fifty-one percent owned by one or more minority group
members;
(b) an enterprise in which such minority ownership is real, substan-
tial and continuing;
(c) an enterprise in which such minority ownership has and exercises
the authority to control independently the day-to-day business decisions
of the enterprise; [and]
(d) an enterprise authorized to do business in this state and inde-
pendently owned and operated[.];
(E) AN ENTERPRISE OWNED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS, WHOSE OWNER-
SHIP, CONTROL AND OPERATION ARE RELIED UPON FOR CERTIFICATION, WITH A
PERSONAL NET WORTH THAT DOES NOT EXCEED THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOU-
SAND DOLLARS, AS ADJUSTED ANNUALLY ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY FOR INFLATION
ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR; AND
(F) AN ENTERPRISE THAT IS A SMALL BUSINESS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION
TWENTY OF THIS SECTION.
15. "Women-owned business enterprise" shall mean a business enter-
prise, including a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation that
is:
(a) at least fifty-one percent owned by one or more United States
citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women;
(b) an enterprise in which the ownership interest of such women is
real, substantial and continuing;
(c) an enterprise in which such women ownership has and exercises the
authority to control independently the day-to-day business decisions of
the enterprise; [and]
(d) an enterprise authorized to do business in this state and inde-
pendently owned and operated[.];
(E) AN ENTERPRISE OWNED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS, WHOSE OWNER-
SHIP, CONTROL AND OPERATION ARE RELIED UPON FOR CERTIFICATION, WITH A
PERSONAL NET WORTH THAT DOES NOT EXCEED THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOU-
SAND DOLLARS, AS ADJUSTED ANNUALLY ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY FOR INFLATION
ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR; AND
(F) AN ENTERPRISE THAT IS A SMALL BUSINESS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION
TWENTY OF THIS SECTION.
A FIRM OWNED BY A MINORITY GROUP MEMBER WHO IS ALSO A WOMAN MAY BE
CERTIFIED AS A MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, A WOMEN-OWNED BUSI-
NESS ENTERPRISE, OR BOTH, AND MAY BE COUNTED TOWARDS EITHER A MINORITY-
OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GOAL OR A WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
GOAL, IN REGARD TO ANY CONTRACT OR ANY GOAL, SET BY AN AGENCY OR AUTHOR-
ITY, BUT SUCH PARTICIPATION MAY NOT BE COUNTED TOWARDS BOTH SUCH GOALS.
SUCH AN ENTERPRISE'S PARTICIPATION IN A CONTRACT MAY NOT BE DIVIDED
BETWEEN THE MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GOAL AND THE WOMEN-OWNED
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GOAL.
18. "LESSEE" SHALL MEAN AN INDIVIDUAL, A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, INCLUD-
ING A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, A PARTNERSHIP, A CORPORATION, A NOT-FOR-PRO-
FIT CORPORATION, OR ANY OTHER PARTY TO A LEASE WITH A STATE AGENCY AS
DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF THIS SECTION, OR A RESPONDENT IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE AWARD OF SUCH A LEASE OR A PROPOSED LESSEE WITH A
STATE AGENCY AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF THIS SECTION.
19. "PERSONAL NET WORTH" SHALL MEAN THE AGGREGATE ADJUSTED NET VALUE
OF THE ASSETS OF AN INDIVIDUAL REMAINING AFTER TOTAL LIABILITIES ARE
DEDUCTED. PERSONAL NET WORTH INCLUDES THE INDIVIDUAL'S SHARE OF ASSETS
HELD JOINTLY WITH SAID INDIVIDUAL'S SPOUSE AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE
INDIVIDUAL'S OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THE CERTIFIED MINORITY AND
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, THE INDIVIDUAL'S EQUITY IN HIS OR HER
S. 8314 4
PRIMARY RESIDENCE, OR UP TO FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OF THE PRESENT
CASH VALUE OF ANY QUALIFIED RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNT HELD BY THE INDIVIDUAL LESS ANY PENALTIES FOR EARLY
WITHDRAWAL.
20. "SMALL BUSINESS" AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDI-
CATED, SHALL MEAN A BUSINESS WHICH HAS A SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS PRESENCE
IN THE STATE, IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED, NOT DOMINANT IN ITS
FIELD AND EMPLOYS, BASED ON ITS INDUSTRY, A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PERSONS AS
DETERMINED BY THE DIRECTOR, BUT NOT TO EXCEED THREE HUNDRED, TAKING INTO
CONSIDERATION FACTORS WHICH INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, FEDERAL
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STANDARDS PURSUANT TO 13 CFR PART 121 AND
ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO. THE DIRECTOR MAY ISSUE REGULATIONS ON THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE TERMS IN THIS DEFINITION.
21. "THE 2010 DISPARITY STUDY" SHALL REFER TO THE DISPARITY STUDY
COMMISSIONED BY THE EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, PURSUANT TO
SECTION THREE HUNDRED TWELVE-A OF THIS ARTICLE, AND PUBLISHED ON APRIL
TWENTY-NINE, TWO THOUSAND TEN.
22. "DIVERSITY PRACTICES" SHALL MEAN THE CONTRACTOR'S PRACTICES AND
POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO:
(A) UTILIZING CERTIFIED MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
IN CONTRACTS AWARDED BY A STATE AGENCY OR OTHER PUBLIC CORPORATION, AS
SUBCONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS; AND
(B) ENTERING INTO PARTNERSHIPS, JOINT VENTURES OR OTHER SIMILAR
ARRANGEMENTS WITH CERTIFIED MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTER-
PRISES AS DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE OR OTHER APPLICABLE STATUTE OR REGU-
LATION GOVERNING AN ENTITY'S UTILIZATION OF MINORITY OR WOMEN-OWNED
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
S 3. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 4-a to read
as follows:
S 4-A. CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER. A CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER FOR THE
STATE SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND SHALL RECEIVE A SALARY TO
BE FIXED BY THE GOVERNOR WITHIN THE AMOUNT APPROPRIATED THEREFOR. THE
CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER'S RESPONSIBILITIES SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
1. ADVISE AND ASSIST THE GOVERNOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES RELATING TO
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES;
2. WORK WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TO PREPARE AN ANNUAL PLAN FOR ENSURING FULL COMPLI-
ANCE WITH ARTICLE FIFTEEN-A OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW BY STATE AGENCIES AND
THE USE OF DIVERSITY PRACTICES BY SUCH AGENCIES;
3. ADVISE THE GOVERNOR AND THE AGENCIES REGARDING ANY MEASURES NECES-
SARY TO ENSURE FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE FIFTEEN-A OF THIS CHAPTER
AND USE OF DIVERSITY PRACTICES BY STATE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES;
4. SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE STATE PROCUREMENT COUNCIL ESTABLISHED
UNDER SECTION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW;
5. SERVE AS THE GOVERNOR'S LIAISON WITH ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING
MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
RELATED TO DIVERSITY IN THE STATE WORKFORCE AND IN STATE CONTRACTING;
6. SERVE AS THE GOVERNOR'S LIAISON TO THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY
COUNCIL FOR ISSUES RELATED TO THE CREATION OF A DIVERSE WORKFORCE AND
STATE PROCUREMENT PRACTICES RELATING TO MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSI-
NESS ENTERPRISES;
7. REVIEW AND CONSULT WITH THE DIRECTOR OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSI-
NESS DEVELOPMENT REGARDING POLICIES RELATING TO MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CONTRACT SPECIALISTS AT STATE AGENCIES; AND
8. ENGAGE IN OTHER ACTIONS ASSIGNED TO HIM OR HER BY THE GOVERNOR
RELATING TO DIVERSITY IN HIRING OR PROMOTION OF THE STATE WORKFORCE AND
S. 8314 5
IN ENCOURAGING DIVERSITY PRACTICES AND COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE FIFTEEN-A
OF THIS CHAPTER IN PROCUREMENT.
S 3-a. Paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 161 of the state
finance law, as added by chapter 83 of the laws of 1995, is amended to
read as follows:
a. The state procurement council shall continuously strive to improve
the state's procurement process. Such council shall consist of [nine-
teen] TWENTY members, including the commissioner, the state comptroller,
the director of the budget, THE CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER and the commis-
sioner of economic development, or their respective designees; seven
members who shall be the heads of other large and small state agencies
chosen by the governor, or their respective designees; and eight at
large members appointed as follows: three appointed by the temporary
president of the senate, one of whom shall be a representative of local
government and one of whom shall be a representative of private busi-
ness; three appointed by the speaker of the assembly, one of whom shall
be a representative of local government and one of whom shall be a
representative of private business; one appointed by the minority leader
of the senate; and, one appointed by the minority leader of the assem-
bly; and two non-voting observers appointed as follows: one appointed by
the temporary president of the senate and one appointed by the speaker
of the assembly. The non-voting observers shall be provided, contempora-
neously, all documentation and materials distributed to members. The
council shall be chaired by the commissioner and shall meet at least
quarterly.
S 4. Section 312-a of the executive law, as added by section 6 of part
BB of chapter 59 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
S 312-a. Study of minority and women-owned business enterprise
programs. 1. The director of the division of minority and women-owned
business development in the department of economic development is
authorized and directed to [commission] RECOMMISSION a statewide dispar-
ity study regarding the participation of minority and women-owned busi-
ness enterprises in state contracts since the [enactment] AMENDMENT of
this article TO BE DELIVERED TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE NO LATER
THAN FEBRUARY FIFTEENTH, TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN. The study shall be
prepared by an entity independent of the department and selected through
a request for proposal process. The purpose of such study is:
(A) to determine whether there is a disparity between the number of
qualified minority and women-owned businesses ready, willing and able to
perform state contracts for commodities, services and construction, and
the number of such contractors actually engaged to perform such
contracts, and to determine what changes, if any, should be made to
state policies affecting minority and women-owned business enterprises;
AND (B) TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE IS A DISPARITY BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF
QUALIFIED MINORITIES AND WOMEN READY, WILLING AND ABLE, WITH RESPECT TO
LABOR MARKETS, QUALIFICATIONS AND OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS, TO PARTICIPATE
IN CONTRACTOR EMPLOYMENT, MANAGEMENT LEVEL BODIES, INCLUDING BOARDS OF
DIRECTORS, AND AS SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WITHIN CONTRACTING ENTITIES
AND THE NUMBER OF SUCH GROUP MEMBERS ACTUALLY EMPLOYED OR AFFILIATED
WITH STATE CONTRACTORS IN THE AFOREMENTIONED CAPACITIES, AND TO DETER-
MINE WHAT CHANGES, IF ANY, SHOULD BE MADE TO STATE POLICIES AFFECTING
MINORITY AND WOMEN GROUP POPULATIONS WITH REGARD TO STATE CONTRACTORS'
EMPLOYMENT AND APPOINTMENT PRACTICES RELATIVE TO DIVERSE GROUP MEMBERS.
Such study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the
[impact of court decisions regarding the use of quotas and set-asides]
HISTORY OF MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAMS AND
S. 8314 6
THEIR EFFECTIVENESS as a means of securing and ensuring participation by
minorities and women, and a disparity analysis by market area and region
of the state. SUCH STUDY SHALL DISTINGUISH BETWEEN MINORITY MALES,
MINORITY FEMALES AND NON-MINORITY FEMALES IN THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS.
2. The director of the division of minority and women-owned business
development is directed to transmit the disparity study to the governor
and the legislature not later than [eighteen months after the effective
date of this subdivision] FEBRUARY FIFTEENTH, TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN, and
to post the study on the website of the department of economic develop-
ment.
S 5. Section 313 of the executive law, as added by chapter 261 of the
laws of 1988, paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 as amended by chapter 429
of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
S 313. Opportunities for minority and women-owned business enter-
prises. 1. [The director shall promulgate rules and regulations that
provide measures and procedures to ensure that certified businesses
shall be given the opportunity for meaningful participation in the
performance of state contracts and to identify those state contracts for
which certified businesses may best bid to actively and affirmatively
promote and assist their participation in the performance of state
contracts so as to facilitate the award of a fair share of state
contracts to such businesses. Such rules and regulations as they pertain
to any particular agency shall be developed after consultation with the
contracting agency. Nothing in the provisions of this article shall be
construed to limit the ability of any certified business to bid on any
contract.
2.] GOALS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR AGENCIES AND CONTRACTORS. EACH AGENCY
SHALL STRUCTURE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES FOR CONTRACTS MADE DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY TO MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH THE FINDINGS OF THE TWO THOUSAND TEN DISPARITY STUDY, CONSIST-
ENT WITH THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, TO ATTEMPT TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOW-
ING RESULTS WITH REGARD TO TOTAL ANNUAL STATEWIDE PROCUREMENT:
(A) CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FOR CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTER-
PRISES: FOURTEEN AND THIRTY-FOUR HUNDREDTHS PERCENT;
(B) CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FOR CERTIFIED WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTER-
PRISES: EIGHT AND FORTY-ONE HUNDREDTHS PERCENT;
(C) CONSTRUCTION RELATED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRY FOR CERTIFIED
MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: THIRTEEN AND TWENTY-ONE HUNDREDTHS
PERCENT;
(D) CONSTRUCTION RELATED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRY FOR CERTIFIED
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: ELEVEN AND THIRTY-TWO HUNDREDTHS
PERCENT;
(E) NON-CONSTRUCTION RELATED SERVICES INDUSTRY FOR CERTIFIED MINORI-
TY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: NINETEEN AND SIXTY HUNDREDTHS PERCENT;
(F) NON-CONSTRUCTION RELATED SERVICES INDUSTRY FOR CERTIFIED
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: SEVENTEEN AND FORTY-FOUR HUNDREDTHS
PERCENT;
(G) COMMODITIES INDUSTRY FOR CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTER-
PRISES: SIXTEEN AND ELEVEN HUNDREDTHS PERCENT;
(H) COMMODITIES INDUSTRY FOR CERTIFIED WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTER-
PRISES: TEN AND NINETY-THREE HUNDREDTHS PERCENT;
(I) OVERALL AGENCY TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE OF PROCUREMENT FOR CERTIFIED
MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: SIXTEEN AND FIFTY-THREE HUNDREDTHS
PERCENT;
S. 8314 7
(J) OVERALL AGENCY TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE OF PROCUREMENT FOR CERTIFIED
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: TWELVE AND THIRTY-NINE HUNDREDTHS
PERCENT; AND
(K) OVERALL AGENCY TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE OF PROCUREMENT FOR CERTIFIED
MINORITY, WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: TWENTY-EIGHT AND NINETY-TWO
HUNDREDTHS PERCENT.
1-A. THE DIRECTOR SHALL ENSURE THAT EACH STATE AGENCY HAS BEEN
PROVIDED WITH A COPY OF THE TWO THOUSAND TEN DISPARITY STUDY.
1-B. EACH AGENCY SHALL DEVELOP AND ADOPT AGENCY-SPECIFIC GOALS BASED
ON THE FINDINGS OF THE TWO THOUSAND TEN DISPARITY STUDY.
2. THE DIRECTOR SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO THE
GOALS ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION THAT PROVIDE MEAS-
URES AND PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT CERTIFIED MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED
BUSINESSES SHALL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MAXIMUM FEASIBLE PARTIC-
IPATION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF STATE CONTRACTS AND TO ASSIST IN THE AGEN-
CY'S IDENTIFICATION OF THOSE STATE CONTRACTS FOR WHICH MINORITY AND
WOMEN-OWNED CERTIFIED BUSINESSES MAY BEST BID TO ACTIVELY AND AFFIRMA-
TIVELY PROMOTE AND ASSIST THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF
STATE CONTRACTS SO AS TO FACILITATE THE AGENCY'S ACHIEVEMENT OF THE
MAXIMUM FEASIBLE PORTION OF THE GOALS FOR STATE CONTRACTS TO SUCH BUSI-
NESSES.
2-A. THE DIRECTOR SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WILL
ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING:
(A) PROVIDE FOR THE CERTIFICATION AND DECERTIFICATION OF MINORITY AND
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES FOR ALL AGENCIES THROUGH A SINGLE PROC-
ESS THAT MEETS APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS;
(B) REQUIRE THAT EACH CONTRACT SOLICITATION DOCUMENT ACCOMPANYING EACH
SOLICITATION SET FORTH THE EXPECTED DEGREE OF MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTICIPATION BASED, IN PART, ON:
(I) THE POTENTIAL SUBCONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN THE PRIME
PROCUREMENT CONTRACT; AND
(II) THE AVAILABILITY, AS CONTAINED WITHIN THE STUDY, OF CERTIFIED
MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND COMPETITIVELY
TO THE POTENTIAL SUBCONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES;
(C) REQUIRE THAT EACH AGENCY PROVIDE A CURRENT LIST OF CERTIFIED
MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO EACH PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTOR;
(D) ALLOW A CONTRACTOR THAT IS A CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED OR
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE TO USE THE WORK IT PERFORMS TO MEET
REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED OR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES AS SUBCONTRACTORS;
(E) PROVIDE FOR JOINT VENTURES, WHICH A BIDDER MAY COUNT TOWARD MEET-
ING ITS MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTICIPATION;
(F) CONSISTENT WITH SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION, PROVIDE FOR
CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH AN AGENCY MAY WAIVE OBLIGATIONS OF THE
CONTRACTOR RELATING TO MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
PARTICIPATION;
(G) REQUIRE THAT AN AGENCY VERIFY THAT MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSI-
NESS ENTERPRISES LISTED IN A SUCCESSFUL BID ARE ACTUALLY PARTICIPATING
TO THE EXTENT LISTED IN THE PROJECT FOR WHICH THE BID WAS SUBMITTED;
(H) PROVIDE FOR THE COLLECTION OF STATISTICAL DATA BY EACH AGENCY
CONCERNING ACTUAL MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTIC-
IPATION; AND
(I) REQUIRE EACH AGENCY TO CONSULT THE MOST CURRENT DISPARITY STUDY
WHEN CALCULATING AGENCY-WIDE AND CONTRACT SPECIFIC PARTICIPATION GOALS
PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
S. 8314 8
3. SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEANINGFUL
PARTICIPATION BY CERTIFIED BUSINESSES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF STATE
CONTRACTS AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, STATE CONTRACTS SHALL INCLUDE
LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY BY A STATE AGENCY TO A LESSEE WHERE: THE TERMS
OF SUCH LEASES PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION, REPLACEMENT,
MAJOR REPAIR OR RENOVATION OF REAL PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON BY
SUCH LESSEE; AND THE COST OF SUCH CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION, REPLACEMENT,
MAJOR REPAIR OR RENOVATION OF REAL PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON
SHALL EXCEED THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. REPORTS TO THE
DIRECTOR PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIFTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL
INCLUDE ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO ALL SUCH STATE CONTRACTS. Contracting
agencies shall include or require to be included with respect to state
contracts for the acquisition, construction, demolition, replacement,
major repair or renovation of real property and improvements thereon,
such provisions as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this
section in every bid specification and state contract, including, but
not limited to: (a) provisions requiring contractors to make a good
faith effort to solicit active participation by enterprises identified
in the directory of certified businesses provided to the contracting
agency by the office; (b) requiring the parties to agree as a condition
of entering into such contract, to be bound by the provisions of section
three hundred sixteen of this article; and (c) requiring the contractor
to include the provisions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) [above] OF
THIS SUBDIVISION in every subcontract in a manner that the provisions
will be binding upon each subcontractor as to work in connection with
such contract. Provided, however, that no such provisions shall be bind-
ing upon contractors or subcontractors in the performance of work or the
provision of services that are unrelated, separate or distinct from the
state contract as expressed by its terms, and nothing in this section
shall authorize the director or any contracting agency to impose any
requirement on a contractor or subcontractor except with respect to a
state contract.
[3.] 4. In the implementation of this section, the contracting agency
shall (A) CONSULT THE FINDINGS CONTAINED WITHIN THE DISPARITY STUDY
EVIDENCING RELEVANT INDUSTRY SPECIFIC AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED BUSI-
NESSES;
(B) IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM THAT WILL ENABLE THE AGENCY TO EVALUATE EACH
CONTRACT TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE GOAL PURSUANT TO SUBDI-
VISION ONE OF THIS SECTION;
(C) consider WHERE PRACTICABLE, THE SEVERABILITY OF CONSTRUCTION
PROJECTS AND OTHER BUNDLED CONTRACTS; AND
(D) CONSIDER compliance with the requirements of any federal law
concerning opportunities for minority and women-owned business enter-
prises which effectuates the purpose of this section. The contracting
agency shall determine whether the imposition of the requirements of any
such law duplicate or conflict with the provisions hereof and if such
duplication or conflict exists, the contracting agency shall waive the
applicability of this section to the extent of such duplication or
conflict.
[4.] 5. (a) Contracting agencies shall administer the rules and regu-
lations promulgated by the director IN A GOOD FAITH EFFORT to [ensure
compliance with the provisions of this section] MEET THE MAXIMUM FEASI-
BLE PORTION OF THE AGENCY'S GOALS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE AND
THE REGULATIONS OF THE DIRECTOR. Such rules and regulations: shall
require a contractor to submit a utilization plan after bids are opened,
when bids are required, but prior to the award of a state contract;
S. 8314 9
shall require the contracting agency to review the utilization plan
submitted by the contractor and to post the utilization plan and any
waivers of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision [five] SIX of this
section on the website of the contracting agency within a reasonable
period of time as established by the director; shall require the
contracting agency to notify the contractor in writing within a period
of time specified by the director as to any deficiencies contained in
the contractor's utilization plan; shall require remedy thereof within a
period of time specified by the director; shall require the contractor
to submit periodic compliance reports relating to the operation and
implementation of any utilization plan; shall NOT ALLOW ANY AUTOMATIC
WAIVERS BUT SHALL allow a contractor to apply for a partial or total
waiver of the minority and women-owned business enterprise participation
requirements pursuant to subdivisions [five and] six AND SEVEN of this
section; shall allow a contractor to file a complaint with the director
pursuant to subdivision [seven] EIGHT of this section in the event a
contracting agency has failed or refused to issue a waiver of the minor-
ity and women-owned business enterprise participation requirements or
has denied such request for a waiver; and shall allow a contracting
agency to file a complaint with the director pursuant to subdivision
[eight] NINE of this section in the event a contractor is failing or has
failed to comply with the minority and women-owned business enterprise
participation requirements set forth in the state contract where no
waiver has been granted.
(b) The rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this subdivision
regarding a utilization plan shall provide that where enterprises have
been identified within a utilization plan, a contractor shall attempt,
in good faith, to utilize such enterprise at least to the extent indi-
cated. A contracting agency may require a contractor to indicate, within
a utilization plan, what measures and procedures he or she intends to
take to comply with the provisions of this article, but may not require,
as a condition of award of, or compliance with, a contract that a
contractor utilize a particular enterprise in performance of the
contract.
(c) Without limiting other grounds for the disqualification of bids or
proposals on the basis of non-responsibility, a contracting agency may
disqualify the bid or proposal of a contractor as being non-responsible
for failure to remedy notified deficiencies contained in the contrac-
tor's utilization plan within a period of time specified in regulations
promulgated by the director after receiving notification of such defi-
ciencies from the contracting agency. Where failure to remedy any noti-
fied deficiency in the utilization plan is a ground for disqualifica-
tion, that issue and all other grounds for disqualification shall be
stated in writing by the contracting agency. Where the contracting agen-
cy states that a failure to remedy any notified deficiency in the utili-
zation plan is a ground for disqualification the contractor shall be
entitled to an administrative hearing, on a record, involving all
grounds stated by the contracting agency. Such hearing shall be
conducted by the appropriate authority of the contracting agency to
review the determination of disqualification. A final administrative
determination made following such hearing shall be reviewable in a
proceeding commenced under article seventy-eight of the civil practice
law and rules, provided that such proceeding is commenced within thirty
days of the notice given by certified mail return receipt requested
rendering such final administrative determination. Such proceeding shall
be commenced in the supreme court, appellate division, third department
S. 8314 10
and such proceeding shall be preferred over all other civil causes
except election causes, and shall be heard and determined in preference
to all other civil business pending therein, except election matters,
irrespective of position on the calendar. Appeals taken to the court of
appeals of the state of New York shall be subject to the same prefer-
ence.
[5.] 6. Where it appears that a contractor cannot, after a good faith
effort, comply with the minority and women-owned business enterprise
participation requirements set forth in a particular state contract, a
contractor may file a written application with the contracting agency
requesting a partial or total waiver of such requirements setting forth
the reasons for such contractor's inability to meet any or all of the
participation requirements together with an explanation of the efforts
undertaken by the contractor to obtain the required minority and women-
owned business enterprise participation. In implementing the provisions
of this section, the contracting agency shall consider the number and
types of minority and women-owned business enterprises located in the
region in which the state contract is to be performed, the total dollar
value of the state contract, the scope of work to be performed and the
project size and term. If, based on such considerations, the contracting
agency determines there is not a reasonable availability of contractors
on the list of certified business to furnish services for the project,
it shall issue a waiver of compliance to the contractor. In making such
determination, the contracting agency shall first consider the avail-
ability of other business enterprises located in the region and shall
thereafter consider the financial ability of minority and women-owned
businesses located outside the region in which the contract is to be
performed to perform the state contract.
[6.] 7. For purposes of determining a contractor's good faith effort
to comply with the requirements of this section or to be entitled to a
waiver therefrom the contracting agency shall consider:
(a) whether the contractor has advertised in general circulation
media, trade association publications, and minority-focus and women-fo-
cus media and, in such event, (i) whether or not certified minority or
women-owned businesses which have been solicited by the contractor
exhibited interest in submitting proposals for a particular project by
attending a pre-bid conference; and
(ii) whether certified businesses which have been solicited by the
contractor have responded in a timely fashion to the contractor's solic-
itations for timely competitive bid quotations prior to the contracting
agency's bid date; and
(b) whether there has been written notification to appropriate certi-
fied businesses that appear in the directory of certified businesses
prepared pursuant to paragraph (f) of subdivision three of section three
hundred eleven of this article; and
(c) whether the contractor can reasonably structure the amount of work
to be performed under subcontracts in order to increase the likelihood
of participation by certified businesses.
[7.] 8. In the event that a contracting agency fails or refuses to
issue a waiver to a contractor as requested within twenty days after
having made application therefor pursuant to subdivision [five] SIX of
this section or if the contracting agency denies such application, in
whole or in part, the contractor may file a complaint with the director
pursuant to section three hundred sixteen of this article setting forth
the facts and circumstances giving rise to the contractor's complaint
together with a demand for relief. The contractor shall serve a copy of
S. 8314 11
such complaint upon the contracting agency by personal service or by
certified mail, return receipt requested. The contracting agency shall
be afforded an opportunity to respond to such complaint in writing.
[8.] 9. If, after the review of a contractor's minority and women
owned business utilization plan or review of a periodic compliance
report and after such contractor has been afforded an opportunity to
respond to a notice of deficiency issued by the contracting agency in
connection therewith, it appears that a contractor is failing or refus-
ing to comply with the minority and women-owned business participation
requirements as set forth in the state contract and where no waiver from
such requirements has been granted, the contracting agency may file a
written complaint with the director pursuant to section three hundred
sixteen of this article setting forth the facts and circumstances giving
rise to the contracting agency's complaint together with a demand for
relief. The contracting agency shall serve a copy of such complaint
upon the contractor by personal service or by certified mail, return
receipt requested. The contractor shall be afforded an opportunity to
respond to such complaint in writing.
S 6. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 313-a to
read as follows:
S 313-A. DIVERSITY PRACTICES OF STATE CONTRACTORS. THE DIRECTOR SHALL
PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS SETTING FORTH MEASURES AND PROCEDURES
TO REQUIRE ALL CONTRACTING AGENCIES, WHERE PRACTICABLE, FEASIBLE AND
APPROPRIATE, TO ASSESS THE DIVERSITY PRACTICES OF CONTRACTORS SUBMITTING
BIDS OR PROPOSALS IN CONNECTION WITH THE AWARD OF A STATE CONTRACT. SUCH
RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT: THE NATURE OF THE LABOR,
SERVICES, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS BEING PROCURED BY THE STATE
AGENCY; THE METHOD OF PROCUREMENT REQUIRED TO BE USED BY A STATE AGENCY
TO AWARD THE CONTRACT AND MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS UTILIZATION
PLANS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO SECTIONS THREE HUNDRED TWELVE
AND THREE HUNDRED THIRTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE; AND SUCH OTHER FACTORS AS
THE DIRECTOR DEEMS APPROPRIATE OR NECESSARY TO PROMOTE THE AWARD OF
STATE CONTRACTS TO CONTRACTORS HAVING SOUND DIVERSITY PRACTICES. SUCH
ASSESSMENT SHALL NOT IN ANY WAY PERMIT THE AUTOMATIC REJECTION OF A BID
OR PROCUREMENT CONTRACT PROPOSAL BASED ON LACK OF ADHERENCE TO DIVERSITY
PRACTICES. EACH BID OR PROPOSAL SHALL BE ANALYZED ON AN INDIVIDUAL PER
BID OR PER PROPOSAL BASIS WITH THE CONTRACTOR'S DIVERSITY PRACTICES
CONSIDERED AS ONLY A PART OF A WIDER CONSIDERATION OF SEVERAL FACTORS
WHEN DECIDING TO AWARD OR DECLINE TO AWARD A BID OR PROPOSAL. THE
DIRECTOR SHALL DEVELOP THE RULES AND REGULATIONS REQUIRED HEREUNDER ONLY
AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE PROCUREMENT COUNCIL ESTABLISHED BY
SECTION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.
S 7. Subdivision 3 of section 315 of the executive law, as added by
chapter 261 of the laws of 1988, is amended and four new subdivisions 4,
5, 6 and 7 are added to read as follows:
3. Each contracting agency shall report to the director with respect
to activities undertaken to promote employment of minority group members
and women and promote and increase participation by certified businesses
with respect to state contracts and subcontracts. Such reports shall be
submitted periodically, BUT NOT LESS FREQUENTLY THAN ANNUALLY, as
required by the director, AND SHALL INCLUDE SUCH INFORMATION AS IS
NECESSARY FOR THE DIRECTOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CONTRACTING AGENCY
AND CONTRACTOR HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, INCLUD-
ING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, A SUMMARY OF ALL WAIVERS OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF
SUBDIVISIONS SIX AND SEVEN OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED THIRTEEN OF THIS
ARTICLE ALLOWED BY THE CONTRACTING AGENCY DURING THE PERIOD COVERED BY
S. 8314 12
THE REPORT, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIS OF THE WAIVER REQUEST
AND THE RATIONALE FOR GRANTING ANY SUCH WAIVER. EACH AGENCY SHALL ALSO
INCLUDE IN SUCH ANNUAL REPORT WHETHER OR NOT IT HAS BEEN REQUIRED TO
PREPARE A REMEDIAL PLAN, AND, IF SO, THE PLAN AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH
THE AGENCY HAS COMPLIED WITH EACH ELEMENT OF THE PLAN.
4. THE DIVISION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SHALL
ISSUE AN ANNUAL REPORT WHICH: (A) SUMMARIZES THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY
EACH CONTRACTING AGENCY PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION;
(B) CONTAINS SUCH COMPARATIVE OR OTHER INFORMATION AS THE DIRECTOR DEEMS
APPROPRIATE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO GOALS COMPARED TO ACTUAL
PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN STATE
CONTRACTING, TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN
BY EACH SUCH CONTRACTING AGENCY TO PROMOTE INCREASED PARTICIPATION BY
CERTIFIED MINORITY OR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES WITH RESPECT TO STATE
CONTRACTS AND SUBCONTRACTS; (C) CONTAINS A SUMMARY OF ALL WAIVERS OF THE
REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISIONS SIX AND SEVEN OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED
THIRTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE ALLOWED BY EACH CONTRACTING AGENCY DURING THE
PERIOD COVERED BY THE REPORT, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIS OF
THE WAIVER REQUEST AND THE CONTRACTING AGENCY'S RATIONALE FOR GRANTING
ANY SUCH WAIVER; (D) DESCRIBES ANY EFFORTS TO CREATE A DATABASE OR OTHER
INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM CONTAINING INFORMATION RELEVANT
TO CONTRACTING WITH MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES; AND
(E) CONTAINS A SUMMARY OF (I) ALL DETERMINATIONS OF VIOLATIONS OF THIS
ARTICLE BY A CONTRACTOR OR A CONTRACTING AGENCY MADE DURING THE PERIOD
COVERED BY THE ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTEEN-A
OF THIS ARTICLE AND (II) THE PENALTIES OR SANCTIONS, IF ANY, ASSESSED IN
CONNECTION WITH SUCH DETERMINATIONS AND THE RATIONALE FOR SUCH PENALTIES
OR SANCTIONS. COPIES OF THE ANNUAL REPORT SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE
COMMISSIONER, THE GOVERNOR, THE COMPTROLLER, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF
THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE
SENATE, THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND SHALL ALSO BE MADE WIDE-
LY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PUBLICATION ON A
WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY THE DIVISION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT.
5. EACH AGENCY SHALL INCLUDE IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND
LEGISLATURE PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR OF THE EXECUTIVE
LAW ITS ANNUAL GOALS FOR CONTRACTS WITH MINORITY-OWNED AND WOMEN-OWNED
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, THE NUMBER OF ACTUAL CONTRACTS ISSUED TO MINORI-
TY-OWNED AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES; AND A SUMMARY OF ALL
WAIVERS OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISIONS SIX AND SEVEN OF SECTION
THREE HUNDRED THIRTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE ALLOWED BY THE REPORTING AGENCY
DURING THE PRECEDING YEAR, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIS OF THE
WAIVER REQUEST AND THE RATIONALE FOR GRANTING SUCH WAIVER. EACH AGENCY
SHALL ALSO INCLUDE IN SUCH ANNUAL REPORT WHETHER OR NOT IT HAS BEEN
REQUIRED TO PREPARE A REMEDIAL PLAN, AND, IF SO, THE PLAN AND THE EXTENT
TO WHICH THE AGENCY HAS COMPLIED WITH EACH ELEMENT OF THE PLAN.
6. EACH CONTRACTING AGENCY THAT SUBSTANTIALLY FAILS TO MEET THE GOALS
SUPPORTED BY THE DISPARITY STUDY, AS DEFINED BY REGULATION OF THE DIREC-
TOR, SHALL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE DIRECTOR A REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN
TO REMEDY SUCH FAILURE.
7. IF IT IS DETERMINED BY THE DIRECTOR THAT ANY AGENCY HAS FAILED TO
ACT IN GOOD FAITH TO IMPLEMENT THE REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN, PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION SIX OF THIS SECTION WITHIN ONE YEAR, THE DIRECTOR SHALL
PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH A FINDING, WHICH SHALL BE PUBLICLY AVAIL-
ABLE, AND DIRECT IMPLEMENTATION OF REMEDIAL ACTIONS TO:
S. 8314 13
(A) ASSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SOLICITATION EFFORTS TO WOMEN
AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ARE BEING MADE BY SAID AGENCY;
(B) DIVIDE CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS, WHEN ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE, INTO
QUANTITIES THAT WILL EXPAND THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND
MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES;
(C) ELIMINATE EXTENDED EXPERIENCE OR CAPITALIZATION REQUIREMENTS, WHEN
PROGRAMMATICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE, THAT WILL EXPAND PARTIC-
IPATION BY WOMEN AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES;
(D) IDENTIFY SPECIFIC PROPOSED CONTRACTS AS PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE OR
APPROPRIATE FOR PARTICIPATION BY WOMEN AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES WITH SUCH IDENTIFICATION TO RESULT FROM AND BE COUPLED WITH
THE EFFORTS OF PARAGRAPHS (A), (B), AND (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION; AND
(E) UPON A FINDING BY THE DIRECTOR THAT AN AGENCY HAS FAILED TO TAKE
AFFIRMATIVE MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT THE REMEDIAL PLAN AND TO FOLLOW ANY OF
THE REMEDIAL ACTIONS SET FORTH BY THE DIRECTOR, AND IN THE ABSENCE OF
ANY OBJECTIVE PROGRESS TOWARDS THE AGENCY'S GOALS, REQUIRE SOME OR ALL
OF THE AGENCY'S PROCUREMENT, FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME, BE PLACED
UNDER THE DIRECTION AND CONTROL OF ANOTHER AGENCY OR AGENCIES.
S 8. Subdivision 2-a of section 314 of the executive law, as added by
section 2 of part BB of chapter 59 of the laws of 2006, is amended to
read as follows:
2-a. (a) The director shall establish a procedure enabling the office
to accept New York municipal corporation certification verification for
minority and women-owned business enterprise applicants in lieu of
requiring the applicant to complete the state certification process. The
director shall promulgate rules and regulations to set forth criteria
for the acceptance of municipal corporation certification. All eligible
municipal corporation certifications shall require business enterprises
seeking certification to meet the following standards:
(i) have at least fifty-one percent ownership by a minority or a
women-owned enterprise and be owned by United States citizens or perma-
nent resident aliens;
(ii) be an enterprise in which the minority and/or women-ownership
interest is real, substantial and continuing;
(iii) be an enterprise in which the minority and/or women-ownership
has and exercises the authority to control independently the day-to-day
business decisions of the enterprise;
(iv) be an enterprise authorized to do business in this state; [and]
(v) be subject to a physical site inspection to verify the fifty-one
percent ownership requirement[.];
(VI) BE OWNED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS, WHOSE OWNERSHIP,
CONTROL AND OPERATION ARE RELIED UPON FOR CERTIFICATION, WITH A PERSONAL
NET WORTH THAT DOES NOT EXCEED THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS, AS ADJUSTED ANNUALLY FOR INFLATION ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER
PRICE INDEX; AND
(VII) BE AN ENTERPRISE THAT IS A SMALL BUSINESS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVI-
SION TWENTY OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED TEN OF THIS ARTICLE.
(b) The director shall work with all municipal corporations that have
a municipal minority and women-owned business enterprise program to
develop standards to accept state certification to meet the municipal
corporation minority and women-owned business enterprise certification
standards.
(c) The director shall establish a procedure enabling the division to
accept federal certification verification for minority and women-owned
business enterprise applicants, PROVIDED SAID STANDARDS COMPORT WITH
THOSE REQUIRED BY THE STATE MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS PROGRAM,
S. 8314 14
in lieu of requiring the applicant to complete the state certification
process. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations to set
forth criteria for the acceptance of federal certification.
S 9. Section 316 of the executive law, as added by chapter 261 of the
laws of 1988, is amended to read as follows:
S 316. Enforcement. Upon receipt by the director of a complaint by a
contracting agency that a contractor has violated the provisions of a
state contract which have been included to comply with the provisions of
this article or of a contractor that a contracting agency has violated
such provisions or has failed or refused to issue a waiver where one has
been applied for pursuant to subdivision [five] SIX of section three
hundred thirteen of this article or has denied such application, the
director shall attempt to resolve the matter giving rise to such
complaint. If efforts to resolve such matter to the satisfaction of all
parties are unsuccessful, the director shall refer the matter, within
thirty days of the receipt of the complaint, to the [American Arbi-
tration Association for proceeding thereon] DIVISION'S HEARING OFFICERS.
Upon conclusion of the [arbitration proceedings] ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING,
the [arbitrator] HEARING OFFICER shall submit to the director his or her
[award] DECISION regarding the alleged violation of the contract and
recommendations regarding the imposition of sanctions, fines or penal-
ties. [The director shall either: (a) adopt the recommendation of the
arbitrator; or (b) determine that no sanctions, fines or penalties
should be imposed; or (c) modify the recommendation of the arbitrator,
provided that such modification shall not expand upon any sanction
recommended or impose any new sanction, or increase the amount of any
recommended fine or penalty.] The director, within ten days of receipt
of the [arbitrator's award and recommendations] DECISION, shall file a
determination of such matter and shall cause a copy of such determi-
nation along with a copy of this article to be served upon the [respond-
ent] CONTRACTOR by personal service or by certified mail return receipt
requested. The [award] DECISION of the [arbitrator] HEARING OFFICER
shall be final and may only be vacated or modified as provided in arti-
cle [seventy-five] SEVENTY-EIGHT of the civil practice law and rules
upon an application made within the time provided by [section seventy-
five hundred eleven of the civil practice law and rules] SUCH ARTICLE.
The determination of the director as to the imposition of any fines,
sanctions or penalties shall be reviewable pursuant to article seventy-
eight of the civil practice law and rules. THE PENALTIES IMPOSED FOR ANY
VIOLATION WHICH IS PREMISED UPON EITHER A FRAUDULENT OR INTENTIONAL
MISREPRESENTATION BY THE CONTRACTOR OR THE CONTRACTOR'S WILLFUL AND
INTENTIONAL DISREGARD OF THE MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED PARTICIPATION
REQUIREMENT INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT MAY INCLUDE A DETERMINATION THAT
THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE INELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT A BID TO ANY CONTRACTING
AGENCY OR BE AWARDED ANY SUCH CONTRACT FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED ONE
YEAR FOLLOWING THE FINAL DETERMINATION; PROVIDED HOWEVER, IF A CONTRAC-
TOR HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN DETERMINED TO BE INELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT A BID
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE PENALTIES IMPOSED FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT
VIOLATION, IF SUCH VIOLATION OCCURS WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF THE FIRST
VIOLATION, MAY INCLUDE A DETERMINATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE
INELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT A BID TO ANY CONTRACTING AGENCY OR BE AWARDED ANY
SUCH CONTRACT FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED FIVE YEARS FOLLOWING THE FINAL
DETERMINATION. THE DIVISION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
SHALL MAINTAIN A WEBSITE LISTING ALL CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE BEEN DEEMED
INELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT A BID PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND THE DATE AFTER
WHICH EACH CONTRACTOR SHALL ONCE AGAIN BECOME ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT BIDS.
S. 8314 15
S 10. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 316-a to
read as follows:
S 316-A. PROHIBITIONS IN CONTRACTS; VIOLATIONS. EVERY CONTRACTING
AGENCY SHALL INCLUDE A PROVISION IN ITS STATE CONTRACTS EXPRESSLY
PROVIDING THAT ANY CONTRACTOR WHO WILLFULLY AND INTENTIONALLY FAILS TO
COMPLY WITH THE MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS OF
THIS ARTICLE AS SET FORTH IN SUCH STATE CONTRACT SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE
CONTRACTING AGENCY FOR LIQUIDATED OR OTHER APPROPRIATE DAMAGES AND SHALL
PROVIDE FOR OTHER APPROPRIATE REMEDIES ON ACCOUNT OF SUCH BREACH. A
CONTRACTING AGENCY THAT ELECTS TO PROCEED AGAINST A CONTRACTOR FOR
BREACH OF CONTRACT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE PRECLUDED FROM
SEEKING ENFORCEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THIS
ARTICLE; PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT THE CONTRACTING AGENCY SHALL INCLUDE A
SUMMARY OF ALL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION
THREE HUNDRED FIFTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE.
S 11. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or
part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdic-
tion to be invalid, the judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate
the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the
clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this act directly
involved in the controversy in which the judgment shall have been
rendered.
S 12. The state financial system is authorized and directed to assist
the director of the office of minority and women's business development
in the implementation of this act.
S 13. The opening paragraph of subdivision (h) of section 121 of
chapter 261 of the laws of 1988, amending the state finance law and
other laws relating to the New York state infrastructure trust fund, as
amended by chapter 628 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as
follows:
The provisions of section sixty-two through sixty-six of this act
shall expire on December thirty-first, two thousand [eighteen] SIXTEEN,
except that:
S 14. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law; provided however, that the amendments to article 15-A
of the executive law made by sections two, four, five, six, seven,
eight, nine, and ten of this act shall not affect the expiration of such
article and shall be deemed to expire therewith; provided, further that
the director of the division of minority and women's business develop-
ment shall be authorized to commence the rulemaking process required
pursuant to sections five and six of this act prior to the effective
date of this act; and provided further that any minority business enter-
prise and women's business enterprise certified prior to the effective
date of this section shall not be subject to any certification
restriction provided for in this act until such time as the certif-
ication is renewed.
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