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DOC's response to contract issues and performance evaluation practices
1:05:32
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James Conroy, General Counsel for DOC, responds to questions about the department's contract issues and performance evaluation practices. He explains recent changes in the department's procurement processes and plans for improvement.
- Conroy defends Keefe's performance, stating they operated effectively and efficiently despite concerns.
- He mentions recent organizational changes, including moving procurements under the legal division and hiring a new agency chief contracting officer.
- DOC is working with the mayor's office to assess and improve their contracting practices and procedures.
- Conroy commits to implementing annual evaluations immediately, addressing the backlog in vendor performance assessments.
James Conroy
1:05:32
So I think there's there's there's a bifurcated thing here.
1:05:36
Right?
1:05:36
So we had the the Keefe contract initially and what was done with that.
1:05:40
I mean, obviously, at the time, Keefe was in place and operating in the in the system and and operating at what we consider to be in a very effective and efficient level for us, that again alleviated a lot of the concerns.
1:05:52
So when that processes was in place and and how it was I wasn't here at the time, but when we responded to to the controller's office was that even above and beyond the performance evaluation that, you know, the relationship and to look into and the awareness of other concerns that have been raised through news articles regarding Keefe were considered and and that even in the face of those, because of the services that they provided, they were still a, you know, an adequate vendor for us.
1:06:21
Separate from that, the second part essentially of the question is that, I'm into the agency about 7 months.
1:06:28
And in the time, since I got there, the commissioner has we have moved procurements from under our Deputy Commissioner of Management and Budget to the legal division, which is the structure of many of the agencies.
1:06:40
So now the procurement division falls under ourselves.
1:06:44
Our agency chief contracting officer came from another city agency.
1:06:49
Assistant commissioner Samuels is here for 2 months.
1:06:52
We've both now, sat down and looked at our processes and are shoring up everything regarding the the evaluation process to ensure that passport is utilized.
1:07:03
We also had, the fortunate, circumstance of having someone from, the mayor's office of contracting services work with us, kind of embed with us on a part time basis to give an assessment of our practices and and procedures relating to that.
1:07:19
So, in in all of those measures that we've taken in in the, you know, the months that I've been here, we intend and will continue to, do this evaluation process.
1:07:29
As I mentioned in the testimony, we're also looking into getting an, an auditing, compliance, either team or person in, to look holistically and work with our contract managers in each of the divisions to ensure, you know, all the the vendor performance and and the, you know, the good work that they're doing in order to make a even more informed assessment as to, continuing contract services with any vendor.
Julie Won
1:07:52
Okay.
1:07:53
Do you have an estimate time of when that will be since the last time was 2022 and it's 20 25?
James Conroy
1:07:58
When what will be?
1:07:59
I'm sorry.
Julie Won
1:08:00
For the evaluation on performance and the audits that you're looking to do.
James Conroy
1:08:04
Assistant Commissioner Samuels is looking at all of our contracts currently, and we're going to be implementing immediately, the the annual, evaluations as as required.
1:08:15
It's something that's unequivocally necessary, and we're gonna be doing that.
Julie Won
1:08:20
Okay.
1:08:20
So we can expect it this year?
James Conroy
1:08:23
Yes.
1:08:23
I I we intend on doing I can't guarantee every single one of them because, again, the the contracts are rolling basis on some.
1:08:29
But, yes, we will will not be in arrears nearly as much as as current.
Julie Won
1:08:34
But you could you make sure that the Kyiv contract is done this year?