New York City lobbying firm Capalino + Company launched a mobile app for minority and women business owners and entrepreneurs Jan. 25, 2017. MWBE Connect NY is an app that allows minority- and women-owned enterprises the opportunity to obtain access to city and government contracts.
MWBE Connect NY was designed to give minority and women business owners access to the $16 billion in contracts allocated by New York City over the course of the next 10 years.
After working with a client, Saffena L. Mecklai, associate vice president, and Tunisha W. Walker, senior vice president and head of the MWBE Consulting Group at Capalino + Company, created the app. They saw an opportunity when they realized there was no central location for MWBEs to find contracts and respond to Requests for Proposals.
Once the app is downloaded, users create profiles of their businesses using such variables as the industry type, size of the business and the capabilities of the business. Once the profile is completed, MWBEs are matched to Requests for Proposals that best support their businesses.
Walker said the app will offer businesses access to multiple contracts.
“All city and state contracts that are available on open portal data are what you would find on the app,” she stated. “For example, plumbers to architect engineers, to software designers, all those are RFPs you would find on our app.”
App users access the contract engagement tool to begin the application process. Another feature of MWBE Connect NY is an informational hub that provides users with city and state MWBE legislation.
The future of the app is to grow into a desktop version as well as being able to reach big companies that have diversity requirements. The app is available on iTunes and Google Play.
Mecki wants app users to see that buying from the government is no longer a scary process.
“I want people to know that there is a new way to do things,” she said. “I want people to know that this is easy. It’s on the go. I think it will really change the way people look at buying from government.”
For more information, please visit www.mwbeconnectny.com.