QUESTION
What are the goals of the new pilot program for asylum seekers and why was a no-bid contract chosen?
2:03:32
·
4 min
The pilot program aims to save money by reducing food waste among asylum seekers and ensuring some resources stay in the local economy, with plans to expand if successful.
- The program will serve 500 households initially and aims to save about $7 million by reducing food waste.
- It encourages spending at local markets and bodegas to keep resources within the local economy.
- Another goal is to support Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) with the funds used.
- The program has not launched yet but is expected to start in the coming weeks.
- Concerns were raised about the no-bid contract approach and the preference for non-profits over for-profits in such initiatives.
Gale Brewer
2:03:32
So I am concerned about the asylum seeker contracts.
2:03:36
The administration has entered into a 1 year no bid, 53,000,000 emergency contract with Mowkafi.
2:03:43
It is a for profit financial services company.
2:03:46
It is MWE.
2:03:49
The contract will provide asylum seekers with EBT card for the purchase of food and baby supplies, as you know.
2:03:56
Administration has indicated that this will replace food services provided under a previous no bid contract with Dako, another for profit company, It's a little strange to me to have this new, no bid contract because as you said in your introduction and as we have been told, we are going to go with more nonprofits.
2:04:18
So when did the new food EBT card program begin?
2:04:23
How many cards will be issued?
2:04:24
And how many families are I did receive this benefit.
2:04:27
I had understood a pilot of 500.
2:04:30
We wanted to know the criteria to select the families.
2:04:34
I understand originally from some media reports that they were in what I would call scattered site, meaning, you know, two hotel rooms here, two hotel rooms there, but I also saw that they are also going to be in an entire shelter.
2:04:48
So could you explain that to me?
2:04:50
And also, cush to stop this no bid contracts.
2:04:55
We sat here during oversight and investigation stating from health and hospitals, we're gonna do RFPs, and we're not doing them.
2:05:03
Thank you.
Jacques Jiha
2:05:05
Yeah.
2:05:06
This is a program that is it's a pilot program that we serve 5 100 households.
2:05:17
The goal of the program basically is to save money.
2:05:20
Okay?
Gale Brewer
2:05:21
Why no bid?
Jacques Jiha
2:05:22
I mean, I'm gonna get the the goal of the program is to save money.
2:05:27
We expect to save about $7,000,000 out of this program because we had a lot of waste in terms of food that was served to the asylum seekers.
2:05:40
And the second goal is to make sure that some of the resources that has been spent on the migrant stays in the local economy because these would be used at KUKO SWIM market in Bodegas.
2:05:58
And thirdly is because of we're trying to basically do as best as we can to create opportunities for MWE's as part of the resources.
2:06:13
That was what have been spent as part of this huge amount of money that is still spending.
2:06:20
So the program has not yet launched.
2:06:24
It's expected to start in the next several weeks.
2:06:29
The program is, as I said, is expected to start with 500 folks.
2:06:35
And as we move forward, if the pilot is successful, okay, that would be launched.
2:06:44
To a the entire city.
2:06:48
I don't have to repeat what they may already made it clear.
2:06:53
That he wanted to make sure that he create opportunities for NWDB is, and he's the one who referred to that the vendor.
2:07:01
Okay, to HPD.
2:07:02
So this is this is news.
2:07:04
This is not news.
2:07:05
You know, this is everybody.
2:07:06
Everybody already knows.
2:07:07
He made it clear.
2:07:08
That's what he did.
Gale Brewer
2:07:09
Okay.
2:07:09
I mean, to me, I do support MWE, but it seems to me you should do a bid.
2:07:14
Maybe there are other MWE's.
2:07:16
Number 1.
2:07:17
Number 2.
2:07:18
Do a bid that says we will give points as we do for housing, for veterans, and city employees to MWE.
2:07:25
If we have a policy of doing bids, and not going for profits, we should continue it.
2:07:30
That's exactly what you said in your opening, but here's a major contract that is not that.
2:07:35
Okay.