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Q&A
Commissioners discuss the need for a deeper dive into procurement reform, focusing on MOCS and PPB roles
1:18:55
·
5 min
Commissioner Kathryn Wylde raises concerns about proposed procurement reforms, particularly the expansion of the Mayor's Office of Contract Services (MOCS) authority versus the role of the Procurement Policy Board (PPB).
She questions whether the commission has the capacity for a thorough review to avoid creating redundancies or new problems, a sentiment echoed by other commissioners who emphasize the urgency and complexity of procurement issues.
Executive Director Alec Schierenbeck assures that staff have developed more detailed proposals, are working with city experts, can seek further testimony on the PPB, and will prioritize this area.
- Wylde expresses a desire to understand the interplay between MOCS and PPB more deeply before recommending structural changes.
- Commissioners DaBaron and Nieves underscore the persistent problems with city procurement and the need for effective solutions based on testimony.
- Chair Buery agrees this is a priority, particularly understanding the MOCS vs. PPB dynamic.
- Schierenbeck commits to providing more detailed information and further investigation into the PPB's role to address these concerns, stating they "can and will prioritize it"
Kathryn Wylde
1:18:55
On going back on the procurement, I am curious as to whether we have the time and the staff has the capacity to really look more deeply at the procurement issue.
1:19:07
Because I have a I have a real problem with messing with that.
1:19:15
The our proposal is basically expanding the authority of mocks or the primary proposal is structurally.
1:19:23
I have all I don't wanna create another redundancy in city government already have
1:19:33
Without looking at eliminating the p because I think that that should that to create a new entity that's supposedly authorized, They were asking for conflict, delay, more Mishagas do that.
1:19:55
And and I just don't know because we have had relatively little testimony on the larger procurement issues.
1:20:06
I'm not expert in this area, but I my sense is that
1:21:43
Nonprofit payments.
1:21:43
Experience, there were off when I was dealing with Citi contracts on a regular basis, there was often questions of logjams and PPV, and that whole mystery came up.
1:21:57
And I just think if we pretend we're solving a problem by just expanding the authority of mocks in ways that are unclear, that may not be solving the real problem.
1:22:10
Yep.
1:22:11
And that we ought to have and I just don't know if we have the capacity between now and then to understand.
1:22:35
about what we don't know about PPB, and how that functions, and how it would relate to these new
1:23:14
Yeah.
1:23:15
I I because I have not heard or read anything that really deals with this issue.
1:23:21
Not in a fine grained way.
1:23:23
And and I I really think this is the core.
1:23:49
I think it'd be so compelling if we can understand these Mhmm.
1:23:54
Roles and then be able to say we are small clients.
1:23:57
Right.
1:23:58
Right.
Richard R. Buery Jr.
1:19:31
Mhmm.
1:20:56
because I think five additional hearings scheduled, and I would think that we can make sure that particularly as it relates to the role of the PPB procurement yeah.
1:21:05
PPB, versus mocks.
1:21:08
I think we could definitely sort of, encourage some additional testimony to help resolve.
1:21:29
have received Generally, I don't think more people know what the PPB is.
1:21:33
Oh, so But, yeah, I think right.
1:22:11
Mhmm.
1:23:25
I agree, Katherine.
1:23:26
Yep.
1:23:27
I think it's a good idea.
1:23:28
And I would say that for me, it would be a priority, particularly given how far along we are with other proposals.
1:23:35
So I not to speak for the staff, but I would I would think that this is something that we can make sure that we resolve those questions.
1:23:41
And I think what you're asking for in particular, the mocks versus the PPB in particular, is something that I actually have on my mind as well.
1:23:47
Right.
1:23:47
And so I agree with you.
Sharon Greenberger
1:20:13
messing in this area without some real vision search interest.
1:21:08
Yeah.
Carl Weisbrod
1:20:20
Interesting.
Shams DaBaron
1:20:22
So do we have room, or is there testimony and and that was submitted and stuff like that?
1:20:29
I've been in some of those conversations.
1:20:31
And from what I'm hearing, once again, not the expert, but what I'm hearing is real viable solutions.
1:20:38
I don't know if we address that, as as a commission or, you know, if there's something things that the city could do, but I do think it's worth really looking over the testimony.
1:20:49
And if there's any additional information that we can get that we can do more of a deep dive into that
Lisette Nieves
1:21:12
Yeah.
1:21:13
And we could.
1:21:14
And I would I would say, and this is an area that I hear from people constantly on.
1:21:19
I know Rich Burry does.
1:21:20
I know Grace Bonilla does.
1:21:22
I know Greenberger.
1:21:23
I'm just saying this is an area we hear constantly on.
1:21:27
Constantly.
1:21:35
Right.
1:21:36
And there's no question.
1:21:37
Right?
1:21:37
That's not that's not in the everyday conversation.
1:21:39
Right.
1:21:39
PPB is not.
1:21:40
That's in my boring daily conversation.
Anita Laremont
1:21:18
Yeah.
1:21:18
Right.
Alec Schierenbeck
1:21:28
And I get Yeah.
1:21:28
I would say we
1:22:20
Well, if I could just say that we have developed a more detailed proposal that we can share with you around what the authority of mocks would be, for your for your consideration to see whether you think it's consistent with the with your concern.
1:22:34
I also think
1:22:42
No.
1:22:42
Think it's, yes, the known unknowns.
1:22:45
So, what I'll say is, we have been working very closely with people across city government who do understand procurement.
1:22:54
As complicated as it is, we have been working very closely with them to try to structure appropriate reforms mindful of this concern.
1:23:02
We can also, and we have received written testimony, detailed written testimony from the IBO and others sort of getting into this, but we can ask follow-up testimony and invite them to come to speak in more detail about the particular concern about PPB's authority.
1:23:59
We can and will prioritize it.