The Scoop: Pressing for contracts to LI businesses

Get ready for the Long Island Iced Tea Movement!

This effort has nothing to do with the Tea Party. But like the political movement, it is rooted in anger.

Peter Goldsmith, chairman of the Long Island Software and Technology Network, or LISTnet, in Melville, is organizing some members and other business executives on the Island to campaign for more work to remain on Long Island instead of being outsourced to other states or countries.

In January, the Long Island Power Authority awarded a contract to a California company, enXco, to design solar panels in parking lots at seven locations in Suffolk County. LIPA said the award went to the lowest bidder. Though enXco said workers will come from local construction companies, Goldsmith and others were unhappy nonetheless.

"I know they'll [government officials] say these contracts" are put out for competitive bids, Goldsmith said. But, he added, Long Island officials - particularly during this Great Recession - should do more for local companies.

"People are mad," Goldsmith said. "This [Iced Tea, for information technology, or IT] movement will bring things out into the open, and we want to be heard."

He said next week, LISTnet's board will meet over (what else?) Long Island-made Snapple iced tea, to plan a campaign and meetings with Nassau, Suffolk, LIPA and town officials.

Yves Michel, Suffolk's commissioner of economic development, said municipalities are normally required to accept the low bidder on a contract. But, he added, "Suffolk County is working very diligently to put programs together where Suffolk companies can be looked at. I don't want to say a preference, but we're looking at ways we can work with local businesses to make sure there are opportunities for them."

At a glance

What: The contract that kicked off a movement in Long Island's business community was a Long Island Power Authority award to enXco, of Escondido, Calif.

Why: Business executives are angry because they felt the $123-million project should have been awarded to a Long Island company. LIPA said it must generally accept the low bidder on a competitive contract.

What's involved: EnXco will design 60,000 solar panels at parking lots at three Long Island Rail Road stations and at four Suffolk County office building. They will generate up to 17 megawatts of power, enough for around 1,800 homes. Suffolk officials said workers will be culled from local construction companies.