Monday, January 12th, the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is celebrating Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises during a reception from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem. This is the fourth annual Celebrating New York City’s M/WBE’s awards reception. We invite you to join us.

The City’s Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber and SBS Commissioner Robert W. Walsh will be speaking at the event, which is expected to draw several hundred guests.

Since Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signed Local Law 129 in 2005, City agencies aim to buy more goods and services from certified Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE). This program means more opportunities for certified M/WBEs to bid on public contracts, expand their business, and effectively contribute to the City's economy. This program has opened the doors for many small businesses to grow during this economic climate. To learn more go to nyc.gov/buycertified.

Tonight, four M/WBEs, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) & the City’s Chief Procurement Officer as well as two City agencies (Human Resources Administration & Department of Citywide Administrative Services ) will be recognized during the event.

“We are not only recognizing the exemplary work of these small businesses, but the City agencies that have gone above and beyond expectations to create these opportunities,” said Small Business Services Commissioner Robert Walsh.

The Awardees

NYC Agency M/WBE Advocate of the Year:

• Department of City-Wide Administrative Services   - In Fiscal Year 2008, DCAS made extraordinary efforts and achieved outstanding success in the award of micro purchases to M/WBEs.  Specifically, DCAS awarded 54% of its micro purchases, totaling $746,519 to M/WBEs.
• Human Resources Administration - In Fiscal Year 2008, HRA had outstanding success in making awards of contracts between $100,000 and $1 million to M/WBEs.  Specifically, HRA awarded 59% of such contracts, totaling $1,692,547 to M/WBEs.

New York City Agency M/WBE Advocate of the Year

• Marla G. Simpson, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) and the City’s Chief Procurement Officer, Marla has dedicated herself to providing a more competitive, effective and efficient procurement system so that the City can obtain quality services, construction and supplies from responsible contractors at a fair price. Marla has been a consistent supporter of the MWB/E initiative and has worked tirelessly in a myriad of ways, including the development of Local Law 129 of 2005. Marla has been a reliable partner, a forceful advocate and friend to the M/WBE community.

MWBE Rising Star Award:

• Centro Dental Dominicano – Dr. Teodoro Regus, New York, NY 
• Elizabeth Kennedy Landscape Architects  - Elizabeth J. Kennedy, Brooklyn, NY 

MWBE of the Year:

• Argent Associates - Beatriz Manetta, New Jersey  
• Caples Jefferson - Everardo Agosto Jefferson and Sara Elizabeth Caples,  New York, NY