Mayor Bloomberg Signs Legislation Regarding Contracts For Major Capital Projects Undertaken By The City

March 26, 2012

"The first of three bills before me today is Introductory Number 707-A, sponsored by Council Members James, Rose, Fidler, Foster, Koppell, Lander, Mendez, Nelson, Palma, Williams, Mark-Viverito, Reyna, Mealy, Chin, Jackson, Levin, Gennaro, Rodriguez, Dromm, Barron, Dickens, Garodnick, Koo and Halloran.

"Over the past decade, our Administration has undertaken numerous major capital projects to help preserve and build on our City’s progress.  Some of the work we’ve done in-house, leveraging the talents of the best municipal workforce in the country.  Other times, however, if we determine we can get a better value or if the work itself is highly specialized, we contract out for the services.  Under the direction of Deputy Mayor Cas Holloway, we are working to strengthen the mechanisms by which each agency — and our Administration as a whole — oversee these projects.  Introductory Number 707-A builds on these efforts.

"This legislation requires the Administration to inform the Council if a contract valued at more than $10 million relating to a project in the capital budget increases by 20% or more.  It would also require notification if, after the Council has first been informed, there are additional project cost increases of 10%.  This reporting would provide greater insight and transparency into the contracting actions of the City.

"I would like to thank Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway, Mayor’s Office of Contract Services Director Marla Simpson, and their staff for their work on this bill along with my Office of City Legislative Affairs.  I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation."