Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s commitment to provide more opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses is being realized as construction on the New NY Bridge project gets underway.
To date, 53 of the 121 subcontractors and suppliers working on the project – approximately 44 percent – are disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs).
DBEs are small businesses which are at least 51 percent owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. DBE is a federal certification which includes “minority-owned business enterprises” (MBEs) and “women-owned business enterprises” (WBEs) that meet certain federal requirements.
Governor Cuomo, in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, made a commitment to ensure that at least 10 percent, or $314 million, in subcontracts associated with the New NY Bridge project will go to businesses that qualify as DBEs. Because a record-setting $1.6 billion federal TIFIA loan is involved in the project, the federal DBE certification is being used and a 10 percent goal was set. New York MWBE companies are still eligible to participate in the project and are being urged to get dual DBE certification.
The $3.142 billion design-build contract to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge was awarded last January by the New York State Thruway Authority to Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC), a consortium of some of the world’s best-known and most highly regarded design, engineering and construction firms, including Fluor, American Bridge, Granite, and Traylor Bros. In coordination with the Governor’s office, TZC and the Thruway Authority have held or attended two dozen DBE recruitment events attracting more than 1,500 people.
As part of the historic project, the DBEs under contract with TZC are currently performing engineering, construction, security, trucking, office support and communications functions, with many more opportunities to come as construction ramps up.
As of Jan. 31, 2014:
- TZC has 121 contracts with subcontractors/suppliers.
- 53 of those subcontractors/suppliers are certified disadvantaged business enterprises.
- 68 percent of the DBEs are based in New York State.
- 23 percent of the DBEs are based in the Hudson Valley.
- TZC has committed $418.4 million to subcontractors/suppliers.
- $44.6 million – 10.7 percent – is committed to DBEs.
- TZC has awarded only 8 percent of construction-related contracts.
- TZC has awarded only 21 percent of all project-related contracts.
“We’re proud to partner with DBEs and all local companies on this historic project and we value the contributions these highly qualified businesses make,” said Brian Conybeare, special advisor to the governor for the New NY Bridge project. “With an infrastructure project of this scale, the roles filled by DBEs are as diverse as the companies themselves and the door of opportunity is just beginning to open.”
TZC hosts monthly orientation meetings to make owners of DBEs and other small and local businesses aware of the varied opportunities the project provides.
“Our team is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for disadvantaged businesses and the team members of Tappan Zee Constructors have a solid track record of meeting and exceeding participation goals,” said Carla Julian, TZC community outreach/diversity manager.
State Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, whose 35th District includes the Westchester side of the Tappan Zee Bridge, said, “I am pleased with the inclusion of local disadvantaged business enterprises in the early stages of the New NY Bridge project. This vital infrastructure project is already creating economic opportunities for a wide range of diverse companies and, thanks to Governor Cuomo’s commitment, the goal is for those opportunities to add up to more than $300 million over the next five years. I look forward to seeing the new bridge rise above the Hudson River as it helps the economic tide rise for more local businesses and their employees.”
Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, and with the support of President Barack Obama and the federal government, the New NY Bridge project progressed to actual construction in just two years, following a decade of delay. Since October 2011, steps forward include the enactment of new design-build legislation; the completion of concurrent environmental review and procurement processes; the negotiation of a project labor agreement with construction unions; and the commencement of construction activities – all with an unprecedented level of transparency and community involvement.
The bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2018, less than five years from the start of formal construction, making it one of the nation’s largest construction projects to be completed in such a short time.
For updated information on the New NY Bridge project, visit: www.NewNYBridge.com
For information on becoming a TZC subcontractor/supplier and upcoming DBE orientation meetings, visit: https://tappanzeeconstructors.com/index.html 
For information on getting your company certified as a DBE, visit: https://www.dot.ny.gov/main/business-center/civil-rights/ucp-directory
