Restler questions SBS's own MWBE contracting performance

So I guess I don't mean to pick on anybody.

This is the previous administration, I guess, that I can still pick on because it's the data we're looking at.

But we found that generally some of the smaller agencies have had greater success in both their percentage of contracts that go to MWBs and...

The percentage of their overall contract budget that goes to MWBEs, and that larger agencies have not been able to kind of integrate MWB prioritization as effectively.

I know that's an oversimplified analysis, but...

You know, for example, Chief Khan, in the latest...

Controller report, SBS was among the worst performers in your own contracting with MWBEs and recorded zero subs, which may be the types of contracts that you all have.

You may not have as many subcontracts, but just how are you as an agency, just as an example, trying to course correct and do better in this new administration?

So we are very, very small contracting.

We're an incredibly small contracting agency, but we can get back to you on what we've done on MWB.

We usually have performed at the highest of the pack most of the years in our MWB performance.

So whatever the data discrepancy is here, we'll look at it and we'll follow up.

Okay.

I mean, I would imagine this is...

You know, a real priority for you all, considering you've got a deputy commissioner that's responsible for this portfolio of certifying firms and doing outreach and engagement.

I know that most of the folks you contract with are nonprofits, you know, bids, et cetera, but local development corporations.

Yes, we just don't have capital dollars.

We don't do construction in the city.

We don't run incredibly complicated programs.

We do direct service work.

Most of it is done in-house.

Some of it is done through contracted partners.

No, but you're the agency sitting at the table.

These guys don't, none of the people to your left do any contracting.

So you're the person I can pick on.

And it's just to say as an example, you're...

SBS, which is like your mission, is...

this work still in the relatively small amount of contracting you're doing, at least for FY25 and the controller's most recent report, because that's the data that I use as my Bible, wasn't contracting with MWDs at the scale that we should be.

So I can go through the specifics if it's helpful, but I think we just want to...

Underscore that every agency needs to make this a priority.