General Legal Services
General Legal Services advises the Board of Trustees, officers and employees of the SCA regarding legal issues affecting the SCA, its mission, and its projects. General Legal monitors and advises on proposed legislation affecting the SCA and is responsible for promoting compliance with SCA’s statutory and legislative mandates.
General Legal also manages defense and affirmative litigation for the SCA. Mediates construction claims and disputes, enforces construction contract terms and conditions including default hearings and termination proceedings, and tracks and monitors public improvement liens.
In addition, drafts contracts, memoranda of understanding, and other legal documents, and provides guidance regarding employees’ obligations under NYC’s conflicts of interest laws.
General Legal, through the Office of the Corporate Secretary, Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, claims, and service of process. FOIL requests should be directed to the SCA corporate secretary at foil@nycsca.org.
Real Estate Services
Real Estate Services is principally responsible for the identification, evaluation, and acquisition or leasing of properties in support of the Department of Education’s Capacity Program as set forth in SCA’s Five-Year Capital Plan. Real Estate Services, working in conjunction with General Legal, negotiates and finalizes license agreements for the protection of the properties adjacent to SCA projects in compliance with the NYC Building Code. Real Estate Services also facilitates communication and resolution of issues among the SCA. DOE’s Division of School Facilities (DSF), and landlords regarding issues related to construction or occupancy in our leased portfolio.
Labor Law Compliance
The Labor Law Compliance is responsible for reviewing contractors’ compliance with Article 8 of the New York State Labor Law, which requires that contractors who perform work for the SCA pay individuals the prevailing wage and benefit rate as promulgated by the NYC Comptroller and/or negotiated in SCA’s Project Labor Agreement (PLA). As part of LLC’s enforcement efforts, Labor Law Compliance performs audits and investigations to verify that contractors are paying workers correctly. When contractors disregard Article 8, or intentionally underpay their workers, Labor Law Compliance works closely with the SCA Office of the Inspector General to hold contractors accountable. Labor Law Compliance also maintains relationships with NYC’s construction trade unions and advises other SCA departments about the terms and conditions of the PLA.