New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer announced two policies to modernize procurement processes for individuals, nonprofits, government entities and private businesses.
Effective in 2016, vendors seeking to do business with the city will now be able to sign and submit an important tax form electronically and requests for proposals will be sent by e-mail, ending the era of paper notifications.
"In 2015, getting a contract with New York City shouldn't require waiting in line at the post office or firing up a decades-old fax machine," Stringer said in a Dec. 30 statement. "Our new systems will make it easier for vendors to do business with the city."
Vendors can now sign and submit W9 vendor information forms electronically through an updated payee information portal website, which Stringer said will drastically speed up the submission process. The new policy, he said, should reduce the paper vendors and office use by thousands of sheets per year.
Previously, these forms had to be printed and submitted by e-mail or fax.
Also, said Stringer, e-mail will be the default method to contact vendors to request bids on projects and contracts, as opposed to releasing notices of requests for proposal and competitive sealed bids to vendors is paper announcements. He said his office would fully implement the change by summer.
Stringer has emphasized simplifying the contracting and procurement process since taking office in 2014.
