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NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
Contact: Press Office 518-474-4015

        

DiNapoli Announces State Contract and Payment Actions for Feb. 2014

March 18, 2014

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today his office reviewed 1,698 contracts valued at $4.4 billion and approved more than 2.7 million payments worth more than $8.5 billion in February 2014. His office also rejected 157 contract transactions valued at $362.8 million and 3,346 payments valued at more than $3.8 million due to fraud, waste or other improprieties.

As the state’s chief financial officer, DiNapoli’s office reviews contracts for all state agencies, certain contracts for state public authorities and audits all state payments. This independent review ensures that costs are reasonable, the playing field is level and taxpayers get the best value for their money. The independent audits ensure payments are free from fraud, waste and other improprieties. The Comptroller’s office averages 11 to 13 days for contract reviews and two days to audit payments.

DiNapoli began releasing this monthly notice to provide current information about the number and types of contracts and payments entered into by the state. This effort builds on his commitment to added transparency via his Open Book New York website.

Highlights for February 2014:

Major Contract Approvals

Department of Health – Medicaid Systems

Approved a $210.8 million, 24-month extension to the Medicaid fiscal-agent contract with Computer Sciences Corp. to continue provider payment services until the new Medicaid administrative services contract is implemented in state fiscal year 2015-16.

Office of General Services – Construction
  • Approved four contracts totaling $38.8 million for the renovation of State Office Campus Building 5 to house the state’s Business Services Center:
  • $21.6 million with Murnane Building Contractors for general construction;
  • $10.2 million with DiGesare Mechanical Inc. for HVAC;
  • $2.4 million with DiGesare Mechanical Inc. for plumbing; and
  • $4.6 million with Schenectady Hardware & Electric Co. for electrical. 
Office of Parks and Recreation – Hurricane Restoration

Approved an $8.8 million contract with Village Dock Contracting Inc. for post-Superstorm Sandy dredging at the state boat channel west of the Robert Moses Causeway and at Robert Moses State Park to replenish the beach and protect infrastructure.

Department of Agriculture and Markets – Dairy Product Promotion Grants

Approved nearly $10 million for two grant contracts with the American Dairy Association to promote the consumption of New York milk and dairy products.

New York City – Transportation Grants

Approved nearly $6 million in state Department of Transportation grants for New York City’s Safe Routes to School Program and the Drive Smart and Park Smart pilot programs.

Contracts that Provide Revenue to NYS

  • Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation: approved a license agreement with ASP Partners LLC with an estimated value of $1.9 million to provide and maintain cottages and yurts at Allegany State Park.
  • Office of General Services: approved a $535,000 contract for the sale of 77 Halstead St. in Rochester to Damani Properties LLC.
  • Division of Military and Naval Affairs: approved a seven month contract valued at $238,873 with B4D Production Services LLC for the Marcy Ave. Armory in Brooklyn.

Major Payments Approved

  • Paid nearly $1.2 billion for 1.3 million personal income tax refunds and nearly $131 million for more than 17,000 corporate, sales tax and other refunds.
  • Paid $68 million to United Healthcare Insurance for the state’s portion of employee health insurance premiums.
  • Paid nearly $6 million to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to support intercity passenger rail services.
  • Approved $2.4 million of an $80 million grant for the 9/11 Memorial Museum Pavilion at the World Trade Center site.
  • Approved $1.2 million to Currier, McCabe & Associates Inc. for the development and implementation of the state’s Medicaid Data Warehouse.
  • Approved six payments totaling $362,884 to Proskauer Rose LLP for attorney fees and expenses relating to a sexual harassment lawsuit.
  • Approved three payments totaling $140,019 to Rossein Associates related to sexual harassment policy development and investigations at the NYS Assembly.
  • Approved $295,000 to Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP for legal services for the NYS Assembly related to the Moreland Commission investigation.

Contract and Payment Rejections

The Comptroller’s office rejected 157 contract transactions valued at $362.8 million because they lacked the required verifications, and rejected 3,346 payments valued at $3.8 million due to fraud, waste and other improprieties. This includes 1,784 tax refunds valued at nearly $2.8 million.

Open Book New York

For access to billions of dollars in state and local government spending and nearly 50,000 state contracts, visit http://www.openbooknewyork.com/. The easy-to-use website was created by Comptroller DiNapoli to promote openness in government and provide taxpayers with better access to the financial workings of government.