Q&A
Handling of migrant shelter contracts and procurement processes
1:11:09
·
109 sec
Council Member Brannan inquires about the handling of migrant shelter contracts, particularly the Cherokee Nation Management and Consulting contract. Commissioner Park explains DHS's approach to emergency contracting for migrant shelters.
- Commissioner Park cannot speak to H&H contracting procedures but discusses DHS's emergency contract with Cherokee Nation
- DHS used an emergency RFP process for migrant shelter contracts, maintaining a competitive process while addressing urgent needs
- The emergency RFP allowed for a balance between competition and the need for speed in responding to the rapid increase in shelter census
- Commissioner Park emphasizes that DHS followed all necessary registration processes for emergency contracts
Justin L. Brannan
1:11:09
Okay.
1:11:12
With regard to the the Cherokee Nation Management and Consulting contract with New York City Health and Hospitals, were there any breaches of procurement laws or ethical guidelines identified in the handling of the migrant shelter contracts?
1:11:30
And if so, what corrective actions have been implemented?
Molly Wasow Park
1:11:35
So I'm sorry.
1:11:36
I can't speak to H and H contracting procedures specifically.
1:11:39
I can tell you, Cherokee Nation has an emergency contract with with DHS as well.
1:11:45
They are operating one of our emergency sites.
1:11:49
We have the our approach to the emergency contracting, which applied to to Cherokee as well as to anybody else that we are working with, is that we had, an emergency RFP that, so although it was done, we did use emergency contracting procedures.
1:12:06
There was a competitive process, that we followed very closely and are going through went through all of the registration processes that that apply to emergency contracts.
1:12:17
We did need to move very quickly.
1:12:19
We had a, you know, very dramatic increase in our shelter census in a fairly short period of time.
1:12:23
But, by using this emergency RFP, we were able to maintain a competitive process while also balancing the need for speed.
Justin L. Brannan
1:12:36
Okay.
1:12:36
I guess just to zoom out, given the the allegations of misconduct of various folks in the administration and, various resignations amend amid federal investigations.
1:12:47
What steps, are you taking to review and possibly reform the processes the processes that, that, particularly concerning the migrant shelter contracts?
