§ 1-03 Policy Statements
RCNY § 1-03
(a)Ethics.
(1)Public employees responsible for the expenditure of taxpayer dollars have a responsibility to ensure that their conduct will not violate the public trust placed in them. They must make certain that their conduct does not raise suspicion or give the appearance that they are in violation of their public trust. To this end, public employees and elected officials having responsibility for contracting at all levels shall: (i) encourage competition, prevent favoritism, and obtain the best value in the interest of the City and the taxpayers; (ii) place professional responsibilities above personal interests; (iii) ensure fair competitive access to City procurement opportunities to a broad cross-section of responsible vendors; (iv) deal with the public and with vendors with courtesy, consideration, and even-handedness; (v) use information gained confidentially in the performance of City duties solely in the City's interest; and (vi) report corruption and unethical practices, wherever and whenever discovered, to the appropriate official, and/or take such other action as is warranted by the situation.
(2)In soliciting, awarding, or administering a procurement, under no circumstances may an agency or an official take into consideration the fact that a vendor or associated individual(s) has or has not made or promised to make a campaign contribution.
(3)Vendors and their representatives have a responsibility to deal ethically with the City and its employees, and to respect the ethical duties of City employees. Information provided by vendors to the City must be complete and accurate. Vendors must at all times avoid conduct that is in restraint of competition. Vendors must not request City employees to engage in conduct that would violate the law, these Rules, or the principles set forth in this section.
(4)When there is doubt as to whether conduct is prohibited by Chapter 68 of the Charter governing conflicts of interest, employees shall seek guidance from the Conflicts of Interest Board.
(b)Economic and financial opportunity. It is the policy of the City of New York to foster the economic empowerment of minorities and women, and to cultivate the development of minority- and women-owned business enterprises, as well as small and locally-based businesses. Through the rules and programs implemented by DSBS, the City will enhance the ability of these businesses to compete for City contracts, will enhance City agencies' awareness of such businesses, and will ensure the meaningful participation of these firms in the City contracting process.
(c)Equal employment opportunity. It is the policy of the City of New York to promote equal employment opportunity for women and minority group members by City contractors and subcontractors and to ensure that all persons employed by or seeking employment with such contractors and subcontractors are protected from unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or citizenship status (and from any other unlawful discrimination pursuant to federal, state, and local laws and executive orders) with regard to all employment decisions, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, fringe benefits, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Through the rules and programs implemented by DSBS, the City will enhance the employment opportunities of minorities and women within the businesses that sell goods, services, and construction to the City.
