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Allegations of forced subcontracting in DHS contracts
1:28:05
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64 sec
Council Member Julie Won raises serious allegations about forced subcontracting practices within the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). She presents information from whistleblowers about potentially unethical practices in subcontracting arrangements.
- Won cites reports from whistleblowers alleging that the former DHS commissioner, Gary Jenkins, pressured nonprofits and prime contract holders to subcontract with specific entities.
- These subcontractors were allegedly already known as 'bad faith actors.'
- Won highlights the discrepancy between the agency's stance that subcontractors are not their direct concern and the alleged forceful directives from leadership.
- The allegations suggest that prime contractors were threatened with contract loss if they did not comply with subcontracting demands.
- This discussion underscores potential issues with transparency, fairness, and ethical practices in DHS contracting processes.
Julie Won
1:28:05
Okay.
1:28:05
I just also want to follow-up to what you had testified about subcontractors to Councilmember less of Viles's point.
1:28:14
I also this has already been reported but we want to make sure it's on the record that even if you say that subcontractors are out of our hands, you know it's with another prime contract, We have clear reports from whistleblowers who have contacted my office as chair of contracts to let us know that the former commissioner of DHS Gary Jenkins has told nonprofits and contract prime contract holders for DHS to say that you need to subcontract with this subcontractor who has been already named as a bad faith actor.
1:28:51
So I want to make sure that there seems to be a misunderstanding here where some folks say you know subcontractors are not our business, you do what you wish and there seems to be a very forceful hand where they say you will lose your prime contract if you do not subcontract with this food contractor.
1:29:05
I'm gonna pass it over to councilmember Salamanca for his questions.