NYS Office of General Services

ICYMI: The October 16 New York State Procurement Council meeting recording is now available. Watch to stay current on the latest purchasing legislative updates and preferred source applications: on.ny.gov/3Uph58s

It’s almost Halloween, and you want to hear something really scary? Your *last chance* to see two exhibitions at the New York State Capitol is tomorrow. After that, they’ll vanish like spirits at dawn. 👻    Learn about The Marquis de Lafayette’s historic visit to #AlbanyNY 200 years ago.    🖼️ The Nation’s Guest  📍 State Street Lobby  🕖 7 am – 7 pm  🔗 on.ny.gov/lafayette200    Experience the power of inclusivity at the 2024 D.R.E.A.M. exhibit at the Capitol, celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the individuals, groups, and legislation that have contributed to significant moments in New York history.    🖼️ D.R.E.A.M.  📍 Governor’s Reception Room at the Capitol  🕖 7 am – 7 pm  🔗 on.ny.gov/dream24 

Tonight, we light for #Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. New York State landmarks will shine blue, pink, red, and yellow in the spirit of festivity. New Yorkers celebrate our Indian and South Asian communities and extend the warmest wishes for joy, peace, and prosperity. Recently, we celebrated Diwali at the Empire State Plaza with rangoli, a lantern ceremony, performances, and fireworks! 🪔 Put the Plaza Lighting Calendar on your radar: on.ny.gov/PlazaLights

#ICYMI New York State’s Inaugural Diwali Festival of Light was an event to remember! With rangoli, henna, cultural performances, delicious food, fireworks, and a beautiful water lantern ceremony, it was a special day at the Empire State Plaza! 🌸 🏮 🎆    As always, thank you to our sponsors for making this event free – New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC), Maharaja, Price Chopper Supermarkets-Market 32, Levrx Technology Inc., Fancy Threading, B 95.5. 

Congratulations to OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy on receiving the OCA New York Leadership Award! Each year, OCA-NY bestows this award on an individual who has made impactful contributions to the #AAPI community. Commissioner Moy is being recognized for her outstanding leadership in modernizing state operations, meeting New York State’s ambitious climate goals, and providing access to services for those with limited English proficiency, which ensures language access and inclusive state services for millions of New Yorkers. Commissioner Moy accepted this award at the recent OCA-NY Community Service & Leadership Awards Gala, where community leaders and organizations celebrated the achievements of this year’s honorees. 🔗 More: oca-ny.org

Move Forward With 988. Emotional support for you or a loved one is one call, text, or chat away with the 988 Lifeline: 988.ny.gov Avanzando con 988. El apoyo emocional para ti o un ser querido está a solo una llamada, mensaje de texto o chat de distancia con 988 Lifeline: 988.ny.gov

“It changed the world.” - Journalist Geraldo Rivera THE PATH FORWARD: REMEMBERING WILLOWBROOK shares the story of the Staten Island facility that was a catalyst for change in developmental disabilities rights. This NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities documentary film, proudly produced by #TeamOGS Media Services, is available to stream for free anytime: on.ny.gov/3YAKeAg October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a national movement that promotes and advocates hiring people with disabilities. New York has expanded this focus into D.R.E.A.M. – Disability Rights & Employment Awareness Month – to highlight a distinctive disability rights movement providing opportunities, protections, and services to succeed in the workforce. 📍 Visit this year's exhibit at the Capitol: on.ny.gov/dream24

This month, I was honored to accept the Women Builders Council Innovation Champion award, which was presented by Lorraine Grillo, an outstanding leader in public service, who has consistently been at the forefront of effective and efficient project delivery work in the public sector, and is an inspiration to me and to countless women in our industry.    It's a privilege to lead the NYS Office of General Services, which supports Governor Hochul’s vision for reimagining and revitalizing our public facilities. This award is a reflection of the incredible work of leaders in Design & Construction, including the remarkable leadership of Deputy Commissioner Bridget OHanlon, Associate Commissioner Erik Deyoe, P.E., Brady Sherlock, P.E., John Kochem, Tony D'Auge, Pierre Alric, and Kristin Sorbaro, ENV SP, Real Property & Facility Management Associate Commissioner Bradley Hutton, P.E., LEED AP and OGS executives Thomas Nitido, Emily Rubenstein, Germain Difo, and Anna Scaife. OGS has been addressing major infrastructure challenges and long-accumulated deferred maintenance through the rehabilitation of some of our State’s iconic public buildings like the state Capitol, the Lexington Avenue Armory, and the Jones Beach Bathhouse. With Governor Hochul’s $100 million investment in decarbonizing the Empire State Plaza, we’re on a path to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, showing our commitment to sustainability and ensuring that New York has a safe, healthy, affordable future. I’m honored to be recognized for the innovative solutions that we’ve implemented at OGS. I was also honored to accept the Diversity Empowerment Champion Award on behalf of Governor Kathy Hochul, who has made unprecedented investments in infrastructure & economic development, while working to break down barriers for women to do business with the State. She’s unlocked new doors for businesses owned by women and people of color, and fosters inclusion in state contracting. Thank you Julia Kerson, PMP for helping to celebrate this moment. And finally, I proudly accepted the Trailblazer award on behalf of NYSERDA President & CEO Doreen Harris. Doreen tirelessly advocates for clean energy innovation and investments in the fight against climate change so that New York has a prosperous, healthy, & equitable future. She has promoted renewable energy and supported emission reductions across New York’s economy throughout her career. It was an uplifting night to celebrate all awardees, and I was so proud to be in the company of the tremendous women that are at the forefront of building a better, safer, and more resilient New York.

Did you know? New Yorkers can register to vote AND vote early on the first day of early voting! Visit New York State Board of Elections to learn more & find your early voting site: https://lnkd.in/ghdVJxzD 🗳️ ¿Sabía que los neoyorquinos pueden registrarse para votar y votar anticipadamente el primer día de votación anticipada? Visite New York State Board of Elections para obtener más información y encontrar su sitio de votación anticipada: https://lnkd.in/gSHCKe-c

NYS Office of General Services recently joined RMI and NRDC for a White House convening to commit to reducing carbon emissions from concrete used in state projects 30% by 2028. Thank you to Mariane Jang for leading our embodied carbon work and participating in the Federal-State Buy Clean Partnership!