N.Y. Public Service Law § 115

§ 115. Public letting of contracts. The commission is hereby\nauthorized, whenever it is of opinion that the public interest so\nrequires, to direct any public utility subject to the jurisdiction of\nthe commission to award contracts or agreements for the construction,\nimprovement or extension of its plant, works or system, exceeding in\namount twenty-five thousand dollars in any calendar year, to the lowest\nresponsible bidder, after a public offering has been made and after\nadvertisement and notice of such offering have been given, and the\ncommission may prescribe rules and regulations relative to such\nadvertisement, notice and public letting.\n