The Supplier Diversity program for Con Edison of New York and O&R continues to develop solid business relationships with vendors, local community organizations, and city and state agencies. Expenditures in 2009 to minority- and women-owned businesses were more than $278 million.  While this figure represents a decline from 2008 due to the reductions in company spending driven by the recession, we surpassed our goal for 2009 and demonstrated continued growth in areas such as fuel.

In 2009, we worked hard to expand our minority- and women-owned business relationships. Some successes included:

• three-year, $17.6-million contract with a minority-owned software-house supplier
• $750,000 painting contract with a women-owned business
• $4.3-million contract with a minority-owned business for stray-voltage work
• $11.9-million in contracts with a minority-owned business for several construction projects, including installing a new roof at the 59th Street station and a refractory replacement at the East River Station
• $1-million O&R contract with a minority-owned business for technology services

We also partnered with a woman-owned business on electronic data interface testing software.  The software was developed for Con Edison of New York, but we agreed to allow the vendor to offer the software to other utilities. A licensing agreement requires that the vendor share revenue generated from the sale of the application.

The Supplier Diversity staff attended several educational workshops and seminars in 2009 to create awareness about our program and meet new vendors. Con Edison of New York also hosted the annual Regional Alliance for Small Contractors' clearinghouse, which was attended by more than 375 people.

Our Supplier Diversity program received recognition for its work from, among others, the New York and New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, Women Presidents' Educational Organization and the Regional Alliance for Small Contractors.

Table 20: Supplier Diversity Program Expenditures ($ millions)