BILL NUMBER: S9370
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to centralized
contracts for services
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation clarifies the procurement priorities for state agencies
in utilizing centralized contracts for services. It ensures that agen-
cies may take advantage of contracts procured by the Office of General
Services while preserving flexibility for agency specific contracts when
necessary.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The bill amends Subparagraph (i) of Paragraph b of Subdivision 4 of
Section 163 of the State Finance Law. Under the amendment, the Office of
General Services is authorized to procure centralized contracts for
services either at the request of state agencies or at the determination
of the Commissioner. State agencies, with the exception of those headed
by officials not appointed by the Governor, including, but not limited
to the State Education Department, the Department of Law, and the
Department of Audit and Control, may accord second priority to central-
ized contracts that meet the form, function, and utility required by the
agency. Agency or multi agency established contracts are given third
priority, while all other contracting methods are assigned fourth prior-
ity. The amendments do not affect the scheduled repeal of Section 163,
rather the changes expire and are deemed repealed with the section.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This measure modernizes and clarifies the use of centralized service
contracts, promoting efficiency and consistency in state procurement
practices. By formally establishing procurement priorities, the legis-
lation strengthens transparency and ensures prudent management of state
resources while preserving necessary flexibility for individual agencies
to meet their specific operational needs, in addition to allowing small-
er minority and women-owned business or veteran-owned business specific
contracts to meet more New York specific interests in procurement
consideration.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately, provided however that the amend-
ments to Section 163 shall not affect the scheduled repeal of such
section and shall expire and be deemed repealed therewith.

Statutes affected:
S9370: 163 state finance law, 163(4) state finance law