N.Y. General Municipal Law § 102: Deposits on plans and specifications

§ 102. Deposits on plans and specifications. 1. Notwithstanding any

inconsistent provision of any general, special or local law, the

officer, board or agency of any political subdivision or of any district

therein, charged with the duty of preparing plans and specifications for

and awarding or entering into contracts for the performance of public

work, may require, as a deposit to guarantee the safe return of such

plans and specifications, the payment of a fixed sum of money, not

exceeding one hundred dollars for each copy thereof, by persons or

corporations desiring a copy thereof. Any person or corporation desiring

a copy of such plans and specifications and making the payment required

by this section shall be furnished with one copy of the plans and

specifications.

2. If a proposal is duly submitted by any person or corporation making

the deposit required by subdivision one and such proposal is accompanied

by a certified check or other security in accordance with the

requirements contained in the plans and specifications or in the public

advertisement for bids, and if the copy of the plans and specifications

used by such person or corporation, other than the successful bidder, is

returned in good condition within thirty days following the award of the

contract covered by such plans and specifications or the rejection of

the bid of such person or corporation, the full amount of such deposit

for one copy of the plans and specifications shall be returned to such

person or corporation, including the successful bidder. Partial

reimbursement, in an amount equal to the full amount of such deposit for

one set of plans and specifications per unsuccessful bidder or

non-bidder less the actual cost of reproduction of the plans and

specifications as determined by the officer, board or agency of any

political subdivision or of any district therein, charged with the duty

of preparing the plans and specifications, shall be made for the return

of all other copies of the plans and specifications in good condition

within thirty days following the award of the contract or the rejection

of the bids covered by such plans and specifications.