Senate Passes Funke Legislation to Launch a New iCenter to Promote Innovative and Effective State Technology

he New York State Senate recently passed legislation that would help save taxpayer money and encourage public-private partnerships by increasing the effectiveness of state government technology. The bill (S1121), sponsored by Senator Rich Funke (R-C-I, Fairport), would authorize a new “iCenter” within the state Office of Information Technology Services to pilot and test new and emerging technology products that would potentially benefit state operations and reduce government costs. 

        Senator Funke said, “Our iCenter is a new public-private partnership that would streamline State services and save costs while exposing emerging tech companies to new market opportunities. New York’s growing tech industry would have the opportunity to beta-test new products through the iCenter, while simultaneously helping state government modernize its operations.  I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of the iCenter model, a win-win for taxpayers and our economy.” 

The iCenter would be a one-stop-shop for state agencies to examine new technologies across their operations, saving the state money by allowing government agencies to study and evaluate new technologies before using them. State agencies would have the ability to work in partnership with the private sector through the iCenter to understand best practices and incorporate new perspectives in the calibration of state government’s information technology needs. After receiving feedback from the iCenter, participating vendors would still be required to follow a competitive bidding process as required by existing state technology procurement guidelines. 

The bill has been sent to the Assembly, where the bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D, Queens).