State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is the chief financial officer of New York State and the watchdog for the public’s money. As part of his responsibilities, the Comptroller reviews and approves contracts for State agencies and certain contracts for State authorities. Certain other State authority contracts are filed with the Comptroller. For State Fiscal Year 2009-10, the Office of the State Comptroller reviewed more than 34,500 contract transactions valued at $36.94 billion.
The Comptroller’s independent oversight makes sure that the contracting process is open and complies with the law, enabling taxpayers to get the best value for their money. The Comptroller also promotes a level playing field for all vendors competing for State business, disseminating information on how to do business with the State.
Open Book New York Contract Search
State Comptroller DiNapoli believes New Yorkers should know where their tax dollars are going.
Open Book New York provides the public with access to more than 60,000 active contracts that
State agencies and State authorities have with businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and other
governmental entities. Data is updated nightly with newly approved contracts and contract amendments,
as well as certain contracts that do not require approval by the Comptroller, including State authority
contracts that are submitted for filing. State agencies, State authorities, and vendors who seek information
on the status of their pending State contracts should enroll in the
VendRep system.
Comptroller’s State Contract Review Process
Under Section 112 of the State Finance Law, the Comptroller’s Bureau of Contracts reviews and approves
contracts for State agencies that meet the applicable threshold for review, generally $50,000. If a
contract is below the applicable threshold, a State agency does not need the Comptroller’s preapproval,
but it must follow a reasonable process in awarding the contract to ensure that it gets the best price possible.
Under the Public Authorities Reform Act of 2009, the Comptroller is authorized to review and approve certain State authority contracts valued at greater than $1 million and to file certain other State authority contracts.
The Comptroller’s contract review process adheres to rigorous standards and legal requirements. The staff has a wide range of expertise and examines contracts for construction projects, grants, consultants, commodities, concessions, professional services, intergovernmental agreements, leases, and land purchases and sales. As part of its examination, the staff ensures that:
- The method used to select the contractor complies with applicable statutory, regulatory and policy requirements;
- The selection of the contractor was performed in a fair manner;
- The cost is reasonable;
- The contract is sufficiently funded;
- The contract language is reasonable;
- Any errors or unreasonable transactions are corrected before a financial obligation is incurred or an expenditure made;
- The agency has performed due diligence to ensure the contractor, a company or individual, is responsible, has the legal authority to do business in New York, has provided reasonable service in the past and satisfies other requirements.
