De Blasio aims to boost contracts for minority-, women-owned cos.
Chirlane McCray and Bill de Blasio are seen prior to the debate between Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at the Hofstra University in Hempstead on Sept. 26, 2016. Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa
Mayor Bill de Blasio wants to boost the amount of city money going to minority- and women-owned companies that do business with New York City — even if their bids aren’t the lowest.
The goal is for 30 percent of city contract dollars for many agencies to go to such businesses by 2021, de Blasio said Wednesday at a news conference in Brooklyn. De Blasio said the goal requires changing state law to relax rules for selecting bidders.
In the most recent fiscal year, a far lesser percentage of contracts at the targeted agencies went to minority- or women-owned businesses, he said.
Richard Buery, the deputy mayor tasked with implementing the goal, said the administration wants to contract with businesses who “reflect the diversity and talent of the city, and have overcome the real serious institutional racism barrier that can stand in the way of participation.”
De Blasio’s announcement comes a week after the city comptroller called the lack of progress on awarding contracts to such businesses “a disgrace.”
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
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