I don't agree. If they cannot control their contractors, there is no way they can choose and hire competent software engineers.

What they should do is just create an open bidding system for the work and make sure that the bids are well publicized, so that not only IBM and accenture will bid. And then they will pay the bid amount only when the whole system is ready and functioning according to specs and schedule.

Thus any cost overruns are not NYC's problem.

There is a million time keeping apps out there, I am sure there will be plenty of candidates willing to modify their app to the city's requirements.