New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today unveiled ClearView, his new online database of City contracts, which the public can use to search through five years of City contracts.

“Throughout my years as Comptroller, I have called for more transparency and accountability in government,” Thompson said. “ClearView will bring transparency to the City’s contracting process, allowing New Yorkers to know how the City is spending their tax dollars.”

As New York City Comptroller, Thompson is responsible for registering contracts, contract amendments, leases, and concession contracts between the City and vendors. Through the registration process, the Comptroller insures that monies are available to pay contractors; reviews contractor information for integrity and performance issues; objects if corruption is suspected; and tracks City expenditures and revenues associated with contracts. The Comptroller’s Office has 30 calendar days in which it must register, reject, or object to the registration of a contract.
 
In Fiscal Year 2008, the Comptroller’s Office reviewed more than 19,000 new contracts, agreements, and amendments. The new contracts and agreements alone were valued at more than $21 billion dollars.

Thompson’s online application will bring transparency to the City’s contracting process by allowing New Yorkers to view details of contracts pending registration and those which have been registered over the last five years. ClearView can be utilized through the Comptroller’s website at www.comptroller.nyc.gov.

ClearView provides details regarding approximately 90,000 contracts, contract amendments, leases, and concession that City agencies have with businesses, non-profits, and other government entities. Contracts can be searched according to City agency or the name of the company doing business with the City; the nature of the services being provided; contract amount; contract number; a company’s Tax ID number; or the date the Comptroller’s Office received the contract.

Search results can be downloaded to an electronic file that can be imported into a spreadsheet application. The contract information will be updated nightly to provide the most up to date information.

Since taking office in 2002, Thompson has closely inspected City contracts, finding that many vendors have outstanding City debt while seeking new business. Thompson now ensures that vendors pay their debts before he approves a contract. Thompson’s vigilance has resulted in the payment of more than $12 million in taxes and other government fees.

The ClearView initiative follows another government transparency project, which Thompson introduced last year - the Payee Information Portal, which allows vendors to track online the real-time status of their payments from the City.

For more information about the contract registration process, visit the Comptroller’s website at www.comptroller.nyc.gov.

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