New York Power Authority Hosts Purchasing Expo in Utica For Minority and Women-Owned Vendors

Contact
Connie M. Cullen
914-390-8196
connie.cullen@nypa.gov

October 11, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHITE PLAINS — Eugene W. Zeltmann, president and chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), Friday announced that NYPA will sponsor a supplier diversity purchasing exchange for minority and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs) on Monday, Oct. 21, 2002 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Hotel Utica in downtown Utica.  Zeltmann will also give keynote remarks to kick off the event.

“As part of Governor Pataki’s continuing efforts to promote economic development in Upstate New York, the Power Authority is expanding its successful supplier diversity program to bring more opportunities to the region’s minority and women owned businesses. This year’s event in Utica will inaugurate our plans for annual Upstate purchasing exchanges,” said Zeltmann.

Senator Raymond A. Meier and Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito assisted NYPA in arranging the event.

“The Upstate purchasing exchange organized by the Power Authority's supplier diversity program is among the array of State efforts, under the direction of Governor Pataki, to help to businesses — large and small — keep and create jobs in Upstate New York,” said Senator Meier.

 “I am especially pleased that the Power Authority values Utica’s convenient central location and conference facilities as it hosts this Upstate purchasing exchange to provide greater access to new markets for our region’s minority and women entrepreneurs,” said Assemblywoman Destito.

The supplier diversity exchange enables those who qualify as M/WBEs to explore procurement opportunities with purchasing representatives from NYPA, other utilities, public agencies and private corporations.

The Power Authority currently operates a multi-million dollar supplier diversity program to ensure that M/WBEs actively and successfully participate in NYPA’s procurement of goods and services, construction contracts and professional services.  NYPA’s supplier diversity program is also responsible for negotiating with subcontractors, evaluating compliance for prime contracts and monitoring labor force requirements.

As part of NYPA’s outreach to the M/WBE community, NYPA has held annual purchasing exchanges in either New York City or Westchester County. These exchanges, over the past dozen years, have resulted in both numerous contract opportunities for M/WBEs and expanded vendor pools for participating private corporations and public agencies.  These efforts have resulted in over $350 million in NYPA business, and other significant business opportunities, for M/WBEs.

“We wanted to make it easier for Upstate business to attend these events which is why we put our purchasing exchange on the road,” said Debra White, program administrator for NYPA’s Supplier Diversity Program.

NYPA, through White’s efforts, has established many professional affiliations with various minority and women’s organizations, trade associations and purchasing councils.

M/WBEs who would like to attend this purchasing exchange should specialize in supplying professional services, construction-related goods or services, or high technology goods or services.  Interested M/WBEs should fax, on plain paper or their letterhead, a note titled purchasing exchange confirmation which contains their company name, address and phone number, and names and titles of those attending.  The fax number is 914-681-6783 or 6399 and the deadline is Oct. 18.  For more information on the purchasing exchange, call 914-681-6976 or 6453.  It is not necessary for M/WBEs to be certified by New York State to attend this purchasing exchange though representatives will be available to assist those interested in the certification process.

NYPA’s advocacy of supplier diversity has been recognized with numerous awards such as:  the 2002 Corporate Leader of the Year Award from the African American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester and Rockland Counties, Inc.; the Chairpersons Award, the Westchester Section Award and Advocate of the Year Award all from the New York New Jersey Minority Purchasing Council, and the Corporate Leadership Award from the National Minority Business Council.