Relates to advertising for bids and offers; letting of contracts; raises the aggregate amount for sealed bids above the current levels for commodities from $20,000 to $80,000 and public works from $35,000 to $125,000.

New York Assembly Bill A03848, introduced on January 30, 2025, proposes increasing the thresholds for requiring sealed bids in state contracts. Specifically, it suggests raising the limit for commodities from $20,000 to $80,000 and for public works from $35,000 to $125,000. This change aims to streamline the procurement process by reducing the number of contracts that necessitate sealed bids.

NY A03848 is a house bill in the New York 2025-2026 General Assembly, sponsored by Karl Brabenec (R), currently “Introduced” since January 30, 2025.

We track 14,627 New York bills this session, 32 of them sponsored by Karl Brabenec.

While specific media coverage on this bill is limited, proponents might argue that increasing these thresholds could expedite procurement processes, allowing for more efficient allocation of state resources. By reducing the administrative burden associated with sealed bids for smaller contracts, the state could potentially save time and costs.

Opponents may express concerns that raising these thresholds could reduce transparency and competition in the procurement process. Sealed bids are designed to ensure fairness and prevent favoritism; increasing the threshold might lead to less oversight and potential for cronyism. Additionally, there could be apprehension that smaller businesses might be excluded from opportunities if the number of contracts requiring sealed bids decreases.