“EMPOWER”

2007 MWBE/DBE Resource Directory - Organizations and Support Services

(Encourage More Participation of Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise Resources)

It is the mission of the Office of Minority Affairs EMPOWER program to enforce Local Law 14 – Title 53 through policies and procedures that provide a “level playing field” for M/WBE full and equitable participation in the County’s procurement and contractual process. Minority Affairs seeks to achieve the goals of the County Executive and Legislature to increase wealth and expand global economic opportunities for all of Nassau County’s citizens and business. To achieve this mission we shall:

• Examine aspects of Nassau County’s current procurement process to identify barriers that preclude M/WBE equal access to the County’s contractual opportunities;
• Recommend changes to eliminate barriers identified and provide additional support to encourage W/MBE participation. To do this we are developing:
  • Vendor registration through the Office of Procurement;
  • Eligibility standards for certification/re-certification of Women and Minority Business Enterprises;
  • Investigative techniques to ensure eligibility for M/WBE certification/re-certification;
  • A directory of certified business enterprises;
  • Mentor – Protégé program;
  • Performance measures to compare M/WBE results to goals and objectives;

• Provide networking programs to promote communications with other organizations, governmental entities and private firms;
• Sponsor workshops and seminars for M/WBE’s to help them become more competitive that cover such topics as:
  • Doing business with Nassau County
  • “New vision for Minority Entrepreneurs”
  • Developer’s Forum
  • “Understanding Bonding”
• Create partnerships with prime agencies and organizations such as regional consortiums and jointly operated programs to offer a united front to address disparity issues and provide support to M/WBEs.