Funke Proposal to Launch New York State iCenter Passes Senate

The New York State Senate today passed S.3095A, sponsored by Senator Rich Funke, to establish an Information Technology Innovation Center (iCenter) in New York State. The iCenter would allow State agencies to test new and emerging technologies that could improve State operations to save tax dollars and help employers better market their products to consumers. Funke's bill passed the Senate with unanimous bipartisan support. 

"Our iCenter would harness the resources of the public sector with the innovation of the private sector to produce savings for taxpayers, while helping employers perfect their products before taking them to market," said Funke. "Rochester is home to one of the fastest growing technology sectors anywhere and the iCenter would help even more employers grow high-tech jobs and investment here. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their unanimous support."

The iCenter would be a one-stop-shop for the testing of new technologies across State operations. State agencies would have the ability to work collaboratively with private sector partners through the iCenter to understand best practices and incorporate new perspectives into the State's technology systems. Employers would simultaneously have the opportunity to beta-test emerging technologies through the iCenter to receive feedback on the quality and functionality of their products, potentially improving marketability to consumers. 

Participating vendors would be required to follow a competitive bidding process as required by existing state technology procurement guidelines. 

A version of the bill is sponsored in the New York State Assembly by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D, Queens).

For more on this bill check out https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2015/s3095