NYPA Launches Mentor Protégé Program to Increase Number of Diverse Vendors Used in Power Authority and Canal Corporation Contracts

New Program to Further Goals of NYPA’s 10-Point DEI Plan

See Video Highlighting New Supplier Diversity Program 

WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced the launch of its Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP), which aims to increase the number of diverse businesses able to fulfill NYPA and New York State Canal Corporation (Canals) contracts. The Supplier Diversity program advances the goals of NYPA’s Ten-Point Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan, a pillar of the Authority’s VISION2030 strategic plan.

“NYPA is committed to incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion practices across all phases of our operations,” said NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “The Mentor-Protégé Program will enable more small, diverse firms to fulfill NYPA and Canal Corporation contracts, increasing the diversity of the Power Authority’s supply chain base and furthering the goals of NYPA’s DEI Plan.”

The program has been designed to motivate and encourage large firms in NYPA’s supply chain to provide mutually beneficial developmental assistance to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOBs), minority-owned businesses enterprises (MBEs) and women-owned business enterprises (WBEs). By participating in the program, mentors will gain a stronger network of subcontractors while protégés gain knowledge and insights about successfully bidding for NYPA and Canals contracts. A pilot program for the MPP concluded earlier this month.

“The Mentor-Protégé Program will leverage NYPA’s experience, resources and purchasing power to increase the number of diverse firms in its supply chain pipeline,” said NYPA Vice President of Strategic Supply Management John Canale. “This initiative is among the first of many supplier diversity programs aimed at driving the success of diverse businesses by providing them with the tools to grow their capacity and skills.”

To participate in the MPP, businesses must be a New York State minority and women-owned business (MWBE) or New York State Service-Disabled Veteran-owned business, either currently certified or eligible for New York State certification. To request an application for the Power Authority’s Mentor-Protégé Program, e-mail MPP@nypa.gov. For additional information about the supplier diversity program, contact Alyson.Danielewicz@nypa.gov.

NYPA Supplier Diversity Programs

To strengthen its connections with diverse businesses, NYPA is implementing several new supplier diversity programs in addition to MPP. The programs include:

• The Surety Bond training program, which provides diverse businesses with training and assistance to secure bonding and greater access to capital to increase their business capacity.

• The Small and Local Business program, which provides comprehensive support to diverse businesses, including a resource-rich educational platform that offers one-on-one assistance, personalized advisory services and virtual workshops at flexible hours.

• The SkillUP development program, an innovative workforce development program designed to recruit and retain non-traditional students—18 years and older—in disadvantaged communities.

To access procurement bidding opportunities, businesses can find notices advertised in the New York State Contract Reporter, the state’s daily listing of contracting opportunities in the amounts of $50,000 or more, at www.nyscr.ny.gov. Events are also posted online as they become available at www.nypa.gov/procurement. To participate in current and future bid opportunities, businesses must register in Ariba, NYPA’s procurement software, at nypa.supplier.ariba.com/register.

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