N.Y. Public Buildings Law § 6: Construction plans; custody; approval; and procedure notwithstanding local requirements

§ 6. Construction plans; custody; approval; and procedure

notwithstanding local requirements. The office of general services shall

have the custody of all plans, specifications, books and records of such

office which pertain to architecture. The commissioner of general

services shall prepare the drawings and specifications for and supervise

the construction of all new buildings erected at the expense of the

state, except as otherwise provided by law; shall also prepare the

drawings and specifications for reconstruction and for all additions to

existing buildings, and for the alteration or improvement thereof, and

shall see that the materials furnished and the work performed in

constructing, reconstructing, altering or improving any such building

are in accordance with such drawings and specifications, and that the

interests of the state are fully protected.

Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of law, the commissioner

of general services may by rules delegate to the agency or department

having custody of any public building full responsibility for the

preparation of plans and specifications and the supervision of minor,

routine or uncomplicated construction, reconstruction, alteration,

improvement or repair of any such building, providing the value of such

work shall not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars.

All the provisions of this chapter that relate to state buildings

shall, insofar as may be practicable, also apply to the improvement of

grounds owned by the state.

No municipality of the state shall have power to modify or change

plans or specifications for the erection, reconstruction, alteration or

improvement of state buildings, or the construction, plumbing, heating,

lighting or other mechanical branch of work necessary to complete the

work in question, nor to require that any person, firm or corporation

employed on any such work shall perform said work in any other or

different manner than that provided by said contract and specifications,

nor to obtain any other or additional authority or permit from such

municipality, department or person as a condition of doing such work,

nor shall any condition whatever be imposed by any such municipality in

relation to the work under the supervision of the commissioner of

general services, but such work shall be under the sole control of such

commissioner in accordance with the drawings, plans, specifications and

contracts in relation thereto; and the doing of any such work for the

state by any person, firm or corporation in accordance with the terms of

such contract, plans or specifications shall not subject said person,

firm or corporation to any liability or penalty, civil or criminal,

other than as may be stated in such contract and specifications or

incidental to the proper enforcement thereof. The commissioner of

general services shall prepare necessary contracts, to be approved as to

form and execution by the attorney-general, which shall be used in all

work let by contract and no payment shall be made on any such contract

except upon official certificate of such commissioner after audit by the

comptroller.