August
Public Policy Meeting Agenda, Virtual Meeting
August 20, 2025, 12 noon
Agenda
1) WBC Session on Discretionary Spending
a) Update: 7/28/25 TP spoke to Tryphina Ramsey (OGS), Erin Datri (OGS), Erik Smith (OGS) Yeji Bae (ESD), Dawn Sanders (ESD), Jason Clark (ESD) –Moving Webinar forward with these topics:
i) Share the exciting news about the increase in the discretionary spending threshold from $750K to $1.5M.
ii) Expand the number and size of discretionary contracts awarded to MWBE’s and small businesses across New York State.
iii) Help certified businesses understand how to prepare for and access discretionary contracts, including key dos and don’ts.
iv) Encourage small businesses that are not yet certified—or are certified with other entities—to pursue ESD MWBE certification.
2) PANYNJ DBE Goal Setting Stakeholders meeting
a) 7/22/2025 Attended
b) Share useful PANYNJ Links with membership:
o Business Opportunities: Doing Business with the Port Authority | Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey, https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/business-opportunities.html
o Supplier Diversity Programs: Participate in Our Supplier Diversity | Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey, https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/business-opportunities/supplier-diversity.html#intro
o Solicitations & Advertisements: PANYNJ Current Business Opportunities:
Construction, Goods & Services, Professional Services, https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/business-opportunities/solicitations-advertisements.html
o Directory of Certified Firms & B2G Access: Diversity Management Program -
Supplier Diversity - Business Opportunities - Port Authority of New York & New
Jersey, https://panynj.diversitysoftware.com/
o Procurement Department: PAPROCURE - Supplier Registration & Profile, https://www.paprocure.com/irj/portal
o Certification Hotline Assistance: Certhelp@panynj.gov or 212-435-7888
(1) WBC WILL SEND LINKS OUT TO MEMBERSHIP IN EMAIL
(2)
3) Letter of Support to NYS Mentor Protege Program S.6315 (Sen. Sanders) / A.7235 (AM Bichotte Hermelyn) Sent 8/14/25
a) SEND COPY OF WHAT WAS SENT TO FELICE AND LORRAINE
4) Office of the NYS Comptroller Survey
a) Followed up with Jessica Prue to get clarification on how survey was being rolled out
5) Subcommittees-Updates (Chairs in Bold)
a) Certification Subcommittee – Felice Farber (STA), Joanna Karageorgiou (Kleinberg), Roxanne Guerrerio (KCM), Danielle Sweet (Sweet Construction)
i) FOLLOW UP WITH ROXANNE
Action Items:
ii) Draft email to all WBC members on certification guidance
b) DBE Program Litigation – Felice Farber, Roxanne Guerrerio (KCM)
----RISK PROBLEM CONSIDERATION – MWBES PRICE PREFERENCE NOW UP TO 1.65MIL – IF SOMEONE WANTS TO CHALLENGE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAVE STRONG LEGS TO STAND ON; FELICES MEMBERS HAVE LOST CONTRACTS BECAUSE OF THIS
Nayada – invite Jenny Low to potentially join a meeting depending on if we have enough members interested in federal scope
--- typical sba goals are 23 percent small business
Action Items:
i) Chair PPC and ED to draft email asking all WBC members to share DBE news and updates with Felice
(1) Done but we should send on a regular basis
c) NAICS Code Size Standard/Personal Net Worth -- Krissy DiNapoli (KND), Roxanne Guerrerio (KCM)
i) FOLLOW UP WITH ANGELITA – felice
ii) Email tanya about naics code training – ask if we should follow up if shes not coming back soon
iii) Make a white paper – for NAICS codes
d) Disparity Studies - Deborah Bradley, Tanya Pope, Nayada Lugii, Debra Inwald
Action Items:
i) Update on SBS reach out to see if CUNY Disparity Study is also considering changes in certification process for greater efficiency
>>Track what’s happening with transportation reauthorization – expires at end of next fiscal year
6) Old Business
a) Architectural Building Products Inc. received NYC WBE certification
b) Working with SBS and Studio 88 Architecture
7) New Business/Open Discussion
