The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners has decided to amend its policy to increase direct solicitation of Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Woman-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs). The goal is to promote competition and provide an inclusive and diverse contracting process. 

The amendment will be applied to certain smaller contracts in the procurement program. Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton stated the goal is for M/WBEs to be contracted in order to boost the local and regional economy. Historically there has been a disparity in the Port Authorities contracts with M/WBEs. 

The Port Authority conducted a disparity study in 2017 and in 2018 implemented a requirement for the Port Authority contracts to include good faith participation goals of 20 percent by MBEs and 10 percent by WBEs on prime contracts. In the 2021 disparity study, it was revealed that the disparity still exists. With new goals and the new small contracts procurement program, additional opportunities will be available for M/WBEs to compete for direct contract awards with the Port Authority.