Economy
New York police abandon no-bid procurement plan involving Cognyte
New York police have dropped a plan to award Israeli company Cognyte a no-bid contract worth up to about $750,000 over three years. The plan prompted protests, and police said it did not meet sole-source purchasing requirements. A competitive process will follow: Cognyte has not been disqualified and may compete with other companies. New York police, 2018 file photograph: Reuters
· Source: Walla. New York police, 2018 file photograph: Reuters
New York police have withdrawn a plan to buy a surveillance system from Israeli company Cognyte without competitive bidding. According to the report, the company may take part in a competitive procurement process.
Walla, citing the New York Daily News, reported that a police spokesperson confirmed the proposed arrangement did not meet sole-source purchasing requirements. The planned three-year contract, worth up to about $750,000, prompted protests by civil rights groups and progressive politicians.
Police will switch to a competitive procurement process. Cognyte has not been disqualified, and a future purchase of its products has not been ruled out. Opponents raised privacy concerns; police describe the technology as an investigative tool subject to rules. The report said the company's response had not yet been received.
Source: Walla
