NYT: No-Bid Contract to Replace Schools After Katrina Is Faulted (crooks!)

[DeepModem Mom]

No-Bid Contract to Replace Schools After Katrina Is Faulted
By ERIC LIPTON
Published: November 11, 2005


....To the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the modular classrooms lined up next to the soon-to-be demolished former school (North Bay Elementary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi) show, as the billboard out front boasts, "Katrina Recovery in Progress."

But to critics, the 450 portable classrooms being installed across Mississippi are prime examples in their case against FEMA and its federal partner, the Army Corps of Engineers, for wasteful spending and favoritism in the $62 billion hurricane relief effort.

Provided by a politically connected Alaskan-owned business under a $40 million no-bid contract, the classrooms cost FEMA nearly $90,000 each, including transportation, according to contracting documents. That is double the wholesale price and nearly 60 percent higher than the price offered by two small Mississippi businesses dropped from the deal.

In addition, the portable buildings were not secured in a concrete foundation, as usually required by state regulations because of safety concerns in a region prone to hurricanes and tornados.

The classroom contract has already prompted a lawsuit from one of the Mississippi companies and a government investigation....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/11/national/nationalspecial/11schools.html?hp&ex=1131771600&en=9c902d201cc0f26a&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I'm so sick of taxpayers paying 2,3, or 4 times the dollars through

this 'good ole boy', crony system this administration worships!

[Diamonique]

2. Disgusting

Thanks for posting that. I'm sure this is happening all over the Gulf, and we really need to keep our eyes on this recovery over the coming years and hold their feet to the fire.

[indepat]

3. Once this cabal is out of office, may the money be followed on contracts

let.

[wakeme2008]

4. This is why Bush LOVES to spend our money

For his friends.....


"In addition, the portable buildings were not secured in a concrete foundation, as usually required by state regulations because of safety concerns in a region prone to hurricanes and tornados."


And heaven help the local inspectors that try to make sure our children are in SAFE buildings. :grr:

[Turbineguy]

5. A friend

went to a meeting in Dallas set around working for FEMA. It seemed to be a pyramid scheme where the main contractor makes a huge pile of money, second tier an amount enough to vote for republicans, by the time you consider the people actually doing the work, they're hovering around minimum wage and pay all their own expenses up front.

The nature of the work was to survey and analyze damage to industrial facilities.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks for this report, Turbineguy. Maddening! nt