State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today his office reviewed 2,379 contracts valued at $2.9 billion and approved more than 2.7 million payments worth more than $18.9 billion in March 2014. His office also rejected 202 contracts and related transactions valued at $531 million and 5,036 payments valued at more than $7.9 million due to fraud, waste or improprieties.

As the state’s chief financial officer, DiNapoli’s office reviews contracts for all state agencies and 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 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 builds on his commitment to added transparency via his Open Book New York website.

Highlights for March 2014:

Major Contract Approvals

Construction

• Approved a $31.2 million Office of Court Administration contract with WDF Inc. to construct the NYC Court Officer Training Academy.
• Approved a $27.8 million Department of Transportation contract with DeFoe Corp. for bridge rehabilitation on I-87 over Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx.
• Approved three Office of General Services’ contracts for an upgrade to the Corning Tower elevators: Otis Elevator $8.9 million, Flex Electrical Constructors $852,000 and Gozzer Corp. $461,000.

Gaming Commission

• Approved a $4.9 million contract with Taft, Stettinius and Hollister LLP for gaming advisory services for the selection of applicants to develop and operate casinos in New York. 

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

• Approved two revenue contracts valued at $6 million with the PGA Tournament Corp. to host the 2019 PGA Championship and the 2024 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park. 

Superstorm Sandy

• Approved a $75 million increase to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services contract with Adjusters International for disaster relief services, bringing the total contract value to $149.6 million.
• Federal Block Grant Awards for Sandy-related assistance: 
  • Approved a $2.2 million Office of Mental Health award to South Shore Association for Independent Living to fund repairs and elevate the residence.
  • Approved a $1 million Office of Temporary and Disability Services (OTDA) award to Legal Services NYC for free civil legal services to 1,000 low income residents.
  • Approved an $865,000 OTDA contract to Make the Road NY to provide legal services in Staten Island with a focus on immigrants.
  • Approved an $831,000 Department of Health contract to United Way of New York City to provide emergency food assistance.
  • Approved a $485,000 OTDA award to Flemister Housing Development Fund Corp. to restore the residence.
  • Approved a $160,000 OTDA block grant to Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, Inc. to assist Russian-speakers.
• Approved Homeland Security Hazard Mitigation Grants for local governments to raise up, acquire or demolish properties affected by flooding:
   

  Town of Vestal     $7.7 million	Owego County             $4.7 million
  Village of Owego  $2.7 million	Binghamton                   $2.6 million
  Greene County     $1.5 million	Tioga County                 $1.5 million
  Town of Barton     $1.4 million	Village of Suffern           $1.4 million
  Town of Nichols    $1.1 million	Village of Montebello    $816,000
  Town of Union      $804,000	Town of New Windsor  $308,000
  Clinton County     $306,000	Village of Afton              $248,000

Deferred Compensation Board

Approved a $43.2 million contract with Mass Mutual Life Insurance Co. to manage the $1.2 billion Stable Income Fund for deferred compensation accounts of state and other participating public employees.

New York State Assembly

Approved an $80,000 contract with Roemer Wallens Gold & Mineaux LLP for investigations pursuant to the Assembly sexual harassment/retaliation policy.

Major Payments Approved

Education

• Paid $69 million to the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to support the Semiconductor Transition Program.
• Approved $4.4 million for tumor identification equipment for SUNY Upstate Medical University’s new cancer center. 

Tax Refunds

• Approved more than $1.1 billion for nearly 1.3 million personal income tax refunds, and more than $117.6 million for nearly 15,600 corporate and other refunds.

Moreland Commission

• Paid $175,000 to K2 Intelligence LLC for investigative and analytical services under contract approved on March 19.

Health

• Approved $138.4 million to Caremark PCS Health LLC for pharmacy benefit services for the State’s Empire Plan, Excelsior Plan, and Student Health Plan.
• Paid more than $31.4 million to Maximus Inc. to assist with the State’s Health Benefit Exchange ($29.2 million), the Medicaid and Child Health Plus Insurance Program Enrollment Center ($1.8 million) and other programs.

Contract and Payment Rejections

The Comptroller’s office rejected 202 contract transactions valued at $531 million because they lacked the required verifications, and rejected 5,036 payments valued at $7.9 million due to fraud, waste and other improprieties. This includes 3,663 tax refunds valued at more than $6.6 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.