NY A05128

State agencies must conduct a cost comparison review before entering consultant contracts anticipated to exceed $500,000 in a twelve month period to determine if state employees could perform the services at equal or lower cost.

"Consultant services" includes analysis, evaluation, research, training, data processing, computer programming, engineering, architecture, environmental, health, mental health, accounting, and auditing services, but excludes legal services, litigation-related services, and public works construction.

Cost comparison is not required if services are incidental to property purchase, necessary to avoid conflicts of interest, highly specialized or requiring special equipment, of urgent nature, or anticipated to be short-term and non-recurring.

The cost comparison must include all costs associated with the contract, including salaries and benefits of any additional state employees needed, plus administrative costs to the agency.

All documents related to the cost comparison are public records subject to disclosure under the Public Officers Law, and the act takes effect ninety days after becoming law.