NYC Council Approves Legislation to Improve Transparency and Accountability in City Contracting Process

 

Council also passes resolution calling for respect of history at National Park Sites, including Stonewall National Monument

Today, the New York City Council voted to reform the city contract procurement system, strengthening protections against false information on the qualifications of bidders for city contracts and increasing accessibility of critical information for vendors. The Council also passed a resolution calling on the United States Congress to respect the history of national park sites, including the Stonewall National Monument. This comes after a ⁠letter from Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members Chi Ossé and Justin Sanchez to the National Park Service (NPS) denouncing the Trump Administration’s removal of the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument.

Reforming City Contract Procurement System to Increase Transparency

New York City operates the largest municipal procurement system in the nation, with the City procuring $42.45 billion in goods and services in Fiscal Year 2025 alone. However, the system has long been characterized by inefficiencies, transparency gaps, and vulnerabilities to corruption. The following legislation seeks to reform the process by increasing penalties for providing false information in city contract bids and ensuring the creation of a searchable and publicly access online interface for large city procurements.

Introduction 5-A, sponsored by Speaker Julie Menin, would increase penalties for providing false information on the qualifications of any bidder for city contracts. A new violation, punishable by monetary penalties, would also be created for providing false information by a subcontractor. In both instances, the penalties would fall within a $1,000 to $25,000 range. The bill requires the Mayor and City Comptroller to keep certain information on the identity of subcontractors who perform work on city contracts, and the information would be compiled into a computerized database.

“Honest contracting is non-negotiable,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “This legislation strengthens accountability by increasing penalties for bidders and subcontractors who submit false information to secure city contracts. By closing gaps in oversight and strengthening enforcement, we are protecting taxpayer dollars by stopping double dipping and ensuring a fair and competitive procurement process.”

Introduction 510-A, would require the City Chief Procurement Officer (CCPO) to ensure that at least one searchable and publicly accessible online interface provides information about city procurements that exceed the small purchase limits. The interfaces would need to provide information at key stages of the procurement process, including anticipated requirements, solicitation summaries, contract award details, and total expenditures upon completion of the contract. The information would be required to be published within 30 days of the procurement event, and pre-solicitation information would be required to be published at least 15 days prior to the release of a solicitation document.

Calling on Congress to Respect History of National Park Sites, including Stonewall National Monument

This week, the Trump Administration removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument, a national park site paying homage to the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969. In a letter to the NPS, Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members Chi Ossé and Justin Sanchez, Co-Chairs of the Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus, denounced the removal and urged the Trump Administration to immediately return the Pride flag to the monument. In addition to removing the Pride flag, the Trump Administration also removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth as free admissions days from the NPS calendar.

Resolution 269, would call on the United States Congress to respect the true history and significance of national park sites, including the Stonewall National Monument.

Implementing a Pilot Program for Power Washing Machines on Sidewalks

Introduction 18-A, would require the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to implement a pilot program on using power washing machines to clean and remove odors and spills from sidewalk surfaces in commercial corridors by April 1, 2027. DSNY would be required to select a pilot program location in each borough that is 5-blocks long and accessible to mass transit and high pedestrian traffic. The bill also requires DSNY to report on the program by December 1, 2027.

Providing Guidance for Child Care Program Permitting

Introduction 437-A, would require the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to provide guidance on the Health Code to prospective child care programs applying for a permit. The guidance would include a visual representation of the permitting process and include information relating to any required license, approval, or permit from DOHMH or another agency. The guidance must be posted online and available in designated citywide languages.

Land Use

78-08 Linden Boulevard Rezoning – will facilitate the development of an 11-story, 100% affordable building with approximately 267 affordable and senior housing units in Council Member Joann Ariola’s district.

247-56 90th Avenue Rezoning – will allow the development of a new two-family home in Council Member Linda Lee’s district.

Ethyl’s Alcohol & Food – The Council will approve an application for revocable consent to operate a sidewalk cafe in Speaker Julie Menin’s district.

Finance

A Transparency Resolution approving new designations and changes of certain organizations receiving funding in the Expense Budget.

Appointments

The Council approved the Mayor’s appointment of Steven Banks to the position of Corporation Counsel.