Project Sunlight Reporting Instructions
New York State’s Public Integrity Reform Act (PIRA) of 2011 requires the state Office of General Service to collect information from all state agencies on “substantive interactions” between state decision makers and those seeking to influence the decisions made by the state decision makers. The resulting database is known as Project Sunlight.
The University at Albany is required to report “appearances” with outside parties within five business days of the interaction. Report an Appearance.
A “reportable appearance” is a defined as a substantive interaction between the University and an outside party. A “substantive interaction” is defined as an interaction meant to impact decision making that occurs before a decisionmaker or someone who advises a decisionmaker. The interaction can be in person or by video conference. Letters, emails, faxes and phone calls are not considered interactions in this context.
Reportable Appearances
The following types of appearances are reportable under Project Sunlight:
Procuring a state contract for real property, goods or services which could result in contracts of $25,000 or more
Ratemaking
Regulatory matters
Judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings
Adoption or repeal of a rule or regulation
For procurement purposes, an appearance is reportable even if there is no planned procurement.
Appearances that are Not Reportable
Appearances that are not reportable under Project Sunlight are:
Appearances by elected, executive or legislative officials
Appearances during the restricted period of the procurement process
Minority- and women-owned business enterprise outreach
Contact initiated by the University where the response is informational
Debriefings
In the event of a planned procurement, the procurement must be for $25,000 or more and the appearance must occur outside of the "restricted period" for it to be reportable.
The "restricted period" of the procurement process is the period of time commencing with the earliest notice of the procurement and terminating with the final approval of the procurement by the New York State Office of the State Comptroller.
Reporting during the restricted period is subject to the State Finance Law and Public Officers Law.
Please visit Procurement Services’ website for additional information.
Training & FAQs
Report an Appearance
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