Research Funded Purchasing

The Research Foundation and the University are committed to maintaining an equitable and competitive business environment. As part of this commitment, the Research Foundation adheres to a non-discrimination policy.

The White House's Office of Management and Budget Circular A-110 calls for positive efforts to utilize small businesses, minority-owned firms and women's business enterprises. When federal funds are used, the following steps are to be taken towards the utilization of minority and women-owned business:

(1) Ensure that small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women's business enterprises are used to the fullest extent practicable.

(2) Make information on forthcoming opportunities available and arrange time frames for purchases and contracts to encourage and facilitate participation by small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women's business enterprises.

(3) Consider in the contract process whether firms competing for larger contracts intend to subcontract with small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women's business enterprises.

(4) Encourage contracting with consortiums of small businesses, minority-owned firms and women's business enterprises when a contract is too large for one of these firms to handle individually.

(5) Use the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small Business Administration and the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency in the solicitation and utilization of small businesses, minority- owned firms and women's business enterprises.

The Research Foundation follows Executive Order 12138 with regard to subcontracting opportunities of prime contracts that exceed $100,000 in the utilization of women-owned small businesses. It is required that the Contractor use its best efforts to give women-owned small businesses the maximum practicable opportunity. This requirement flowdowns to all subrecipients. In addition, the Research Foundation abides by the Small Business Development Act, particularly section 501 (d) (3) (C) which calls for the expansion of minority and women-owned business development.

Definitions

Minority-owned business - a business owned at least by 51 minority group members. In the case of publicly-owned businesses, if 51 percent or more of the stock is owned by minorities, then that business also qualifies as a minority-owned business. Minorities include African Americans, Puerto Ricans, Spanish-Speaking Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, American Eskimos, And American Aleuts.

Women-owned business - a business that is at least fifty-one percent owned by women who are United States citizens and who also control and operate the business.

New York State Certification

The New York State Division of Minority and Women's Business Development (DMWBD) maintains a searchable listing of certified MWBEs. The search can be vendor specific, product specific or by market area. In order for the University and prime contractors to get MWBE credit, the MWBE business must be certified as an MWBE by the DMWBD. Instructions have been developed to assist users with searching the database.

Doing Business with the Research Foundation

On behalf of the Research Foundation, the Office of Purchasing and Contracts collects from each vendor from which we do business with a Form W-9. Prior to any purchase order being issued or any contract being finalized a Form W-9 must be on file with the Office of Purchasing and Contracts. Sole proprietors who are not U.S. citizens and businesses organized/incorporated outside of the United States are required to complete and submit an IRS Form W-8.

Vendor Fair

Each spring the Office of Purchasing and Contracts holds a MWBE Vendor Fair. NYS certified MWBEs are invited to campus to introduce the products and/or services they provide to the campus end users. As the end users are the campus personnel who initiate the purchasing process, this event can potentially lead to increase in business for an MWBE in attendance. The April 2012 fair was our sixth annual fair. The next fair is planned for the spring of 2013. All NYS certified MWBEs are eligible to attend.