State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced he has approved a $4.7 million contract with Limnes Corp. of Whitestone, N.Y., to paint 13 state bridges in Nassau and Suffolk counties after the Department of Transportation (DOT) put an independent integrity monitor in place.

“After our rejection of this contract in March, DOT has taken the right step by requiring the contractor to hire, at the company’s expense, a monitor to ensure all state and federal wage laws are followed. This shows the process works and taxpayers are protected,” DiNapoli said. “DOT officials have also given us assurance that they will carefully manage this contract and make sure the monitor provides timely oversight and reporting.”

DiNapoli cited Limnes’ apparent connection to two debarred companies for prevailing wage violations in his prior rejection of the proposed contract. In a letter to DOT, DiNapoli’s contract auditors cite the importance of the monitor and DOT oversight of the contract and monitoring agreement.

The State Comptroller reviews and approves contracts for all state agencies and some contracts for state public authorities. While DiNapoli’s office legally has 90 days to review contracts, most are approved within 15 days. In State Fiscal Year 2012-13, the Comptroller’s office reviewed approximately 23,700 transactions totaling $49 billion.