Restler cites stagnant FY25 MWBE contracting numbers
Restler highlights the Comptroller's annual MWBE report showing MWBEs received just 5% of total city contract spend in FY25, or $2.44 billion of a $46 billion budget. He notes contract count rose to 65% but value share fell from 17% in FY24 to 8% in FY25.
The Comptroller's Office releases a fantastic report each year on the City of New York's progress supporting MWBs that provides a detailed breakdown on where city agencies are doing well and where they're coming up short.
In FY25, MWBs received just 5% of the city's total contracting spend, 2.5%.
$44 billion out of a $46 billion contract budget.
These numbers have remained relatively stagnant for years.
Looking more specifically at contracts that are subject to MWBE goals under Local Law 174, there was an increase in the number of contracts going to MWBEs last year to 65%.
20,539 contracts.
But the share of contract value going to MWBs fell from 17% back in FY24 to 8% in FY25, about half as much.
MWEs won more of the contracts in FY25, but got less of the money.
I commend the Office of MWBE for the increase in the number of contracts awarded to MWBEs, and I commend SBS for the increased number of certified MWBEs.
But I am concerned that MWBEs are only finding success in small-dollar contracts and not growing at the same pace, and spend on MWBEs is not growing at the same pace as our overall contract budget.