* § 313-a. Diversity practices of state contractors. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations setting forth measures and procedures to require all contracting agencies, where practicable, feasible and appropriate, to assess the diversity practices of contractors submitting bids or proposals in connection with the award of a state contract. Such rules and regulations shall take into account: the nature of the labor, services, supplies, equipment or materials being procured by the state agency; the method of procurement required to be used by a state agency to award the contract and minority and women-owned business utilization plans required to be submitted pursuant to sections three hundred twelve and three hundred thirteen of this article; and such other factors as the director deems appropriate or necessary to promote the award of state contracts to contractors having sound diversity practices. Such assessment shall not in any way permit the automatic rejection of a bid or procurement contract proposal based on lack of adherence to diversity practices. Each bid or proposal shall be analyzed on an individual per bid or per proposal basis with the contractor's diversity practices considered as only a part of a wider consideration of several factors when deciding to award or decline to award a bid or proposal. The director shall develop the rules and regulations required hereunder only after consultation with the state procurement council established by section one hundred sixty-one of the state finance law.

* NB Repealed December 31, 2024