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Q&A
Oversight and accountability of subcontractors in shelter system
1:15:26
ยท
57 sec
Council Member Alexa Aviles expresses concerns about subcontracting issues in the shelter system, drawing parallels to problems in NYCHA. She questions how DSS and other agencies evaluate subcontractors to ensure proper performance.
- Aviles highlights potential for waste, problems, and even criminal activity in subcontracting.
- First Deputy Commissioner Jill Berry explains that shelter providers must submit subcontractor information to DSS for approval.
- DSS reviews bids to ensure they are appropriate and that the cheapest qualified bidder is selected.
Alexa Aviles
1:15:26
Okay.
1:15:27
And I mean this is not unique to certainly DSS.
1:15:32
We see this all the time and perfect examples in NYCHA where subcontracting is rife with waste and problems.
1:15:42
I would even go so far as potentially criminal activity.
1:15:46
How is DSS and any of the agencies engaging and evaluating the subcontractors to ensure that they are above board in doing what they're supposed to be doing?
Jill Berry
1:15:59
So before the shelter provider can enter into a subcontract, they need to provide that information to us, and we're looking to see that they have the three different bids and that those bids are appropriate and that they selected the cheapest and qualified bidder for any service, whether it's food or other services that are being subcontracted.