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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 7, 2024
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

NYCHA Announces Micro Purchase Prequalification List for Responsibility to Strengthen Micro Purchase Award Process and Ensure Vendor Integrity

Establishment of the new prequalification list is one of 14 Department of Investigation recommendations regarding micro purchases

NYCHA has implemented 11 DOI recommendations to date, with full compliance expected by February 2025

NEW YORK – The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) today announced the launch of its Micro Purchase Prequalification List (Micro PQL) for Responsibility, an essential initiative aimed at strengthening the process for micro purchase awards up to $10,000. The requirement ensures that all vendors meet necessary standards for responsibility and integrity while enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of the vendor selection process. Effective September 30, 2024, only vendors admitted to the Micro PQL for Responsibility will be eligible for micro purchase awards from NYCHA. The requirement adds a critical layer of accountability as the Authority approaches full compliance with the New York City Department of Investigation’s (DOI) suite of recommendations regarding micro purchases, with 11 of 14 implemented to date.

"The Micro Purchase Prequalification List for Responsibility will prove to be an invaluable tool for NYCHA," said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. "It will allow for the ability to quickly and efficiently address the daily needs of our developments, buildings, and residents while ensuring the integrity of the vendors we enlist in the process. This is one of many ways that the Authority is working to increase accountability and transparency throughout its procurement processes."

To be admitted to the Micro PQL for Responsibility and be eligible for a micro purchase award, vendors must attend an online Procurement Ethics training; maintain both an updated filing with the City of New York’s procurement platform, PASSPort, and an updated account with NYCHA’s online procurement portal, iSupplier; and undergo an integrity review conducted by NYCHA’s Procurement Ethics and Vendor Responsibility department. Only vendors on the Micro PQL for Responsibility will be eligible for micro purchase contracts with NYCHA.

NYCHA remains committed to ensuring employee and vendor integrity and accountability throughout the micro purchase process and has made substantial reforms to its procurement practices. The Authority is implementing DOI’s full suite of recommendations regarding micro purchases, with a majority already implemented, and the remainder currently in progress.

To date, and in coordination with DOI, NYCHA has implemented 11 of 14 recommendations, with full compliance expected by February 2025. In addition to establishing the Micro PQL for Responsibility, the Authority has launched mandatory, annual corruption prevention training for all staff involved in the micro purchase process, as well as a training program for potential vendors that must be completed prior to being admitted to the PQL; instituted a monthly executive level review of a risk-based analytics tool to examine all micro purchases for services at the development-level and which purchases may require a deeper investigation by NYCHA’s oversight entities; promoted clear corruption prevention messaging using signage at developments in areas frequented by employees; programmed pop-up alerts in the procurement software system; and revised the existing micro purchase proposal forms.

NYCHA is continuing the implementation of the remaining recommendations, including the execution of an alternative micro purchase staffing model; the review and identification of alternative procurement methods; and the creation and launch of an expanded receipt process; and expects to be in full compliance by February 2025, within one year of the recommendations’ issuance.

NYCHA also published its First Semi-Annual Report on Micro-Purchases earlier this year and the next report will be published this fall. In its commitment to ensuring the integrity of the micro purchase process, the Authority continues to work closely with and report any irregularities to DOI.

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About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1935 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 520,808 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA has 177,569 apartments in 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments. In addition, NYCHA connects residents to critical programs and services from external and internal partners, with a focus on economic opportunity, youth, seniors, and social services. With a housing stock that spans all five boroughs, NYCHA is a city within a city.