On February 17, 2011, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 8: Removing Barriers to Minority and Women Business Enterprises Participation in State Contracting. Among other things, this executive order established a team to explore ways to meet his goal of expanding minority- and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) participation in state contracting to 20%. Since that time, Governor Cuomo has surpassed that goal.

Subsequently, at the opening ceremonies of the 2014 MWBE Forum, Governor Cuomo challenged state agencies to achieve an even more progressive participation goal of 30%. This goal was established for State Fiscal Year 2011-2012 and beyond.

Disparity studies commissioned by the New York State Department of Economic Development identified numerous barriers that have impaired access by MWBEs to state contracting. Governor Cuomo's MWBE team is identifying ways to overcome these obstacles and enhance existing programs to spur participation.

For its Part, ITS has regularly exceeded Governor Cuomo's 30% goal of increasing the number of woman and minority-owned businesses participating in state technology procurements. As one of the largest buyers of IT products and services in New York State government, ITS continues to work closely with the New York State Office of General Services, other state agencies, and New York State's information technology prime contractors to continue improving MWBE participation in technology procurements.