Contractor Gilford Corporation, which is owned by an African-American, found its bid rejected because it failed to meet standards of a federal program designed to assist minority businesses. Gov. Martin O’Malley described this as “an irony on top of irony,” at the Wednesday Board of Public Works meeting.
Gilford submitted the lowest bid of $12.7 million to construct the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park Visitor Center in Dorchester County, $1.2 million lower than the winning bid.
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9 comments:
Deciding the bid simply on cost will usually only get you the lowest price...and the lowest quality, lowest service level, etc!
Having a federal program to 'assist' minority businesses is another term for affirmative action....wasn't that recently struck down?
What you give to one that doesn't deserve, you have to take from one that does!
Having been a 'victim' of affirmative action a number of times - I didn't let that stop me...I moved to other endeavors where it wasn't practiced - and succeeded based on merit and abilities!
8:47 it wasnt affirmitive action that was struck down. the ruling affirmed a states citizens right to change laws via voting on them. it did affect affirmative action, but that law was not ruled on.
now reading the article it stated the contractor didnt look for subs that met mbe guidelines. in other words he didnt follow the rules, and therefor didnt win
i may not agree with the rules.
but they were the rules
As a white contractor who never wins any bid in MD, the rules are stacked so high that only diversity that counts is Do Not Be White! If this minority did not meet the requirements, there are rules to forgive the compliance. If bonds or other securities required, a minority contractor can have those forgiven as well. The odds of non performance, under budgeted, and straight up walk offs on the site, are enhanced 1000%. Don't know the facts but from experience, if this contractor was not qualified, and he is black, there is much more to the story than being told. If the Gov of MD wanted a specific contractor, there are multiple ways for him to get his way.
Misuse of Federal Funds?
It is widely known that US infrastructure is crumbling; that the Obama stimulus money totally missed the infrastructure mark! That things are so bad we are now considering making free highways toll roads! Now we find the Feds using $8.5 million dollars in "Transportation Enhancement" funds to build a visitor center. Shouldn't the Feds be using Federal "Transportation Enhancement" funds to enhance the highways and bridges that are failing!
Waaaaaaaa
Ok.. Yes Maryland does give MBEs a small advantage usually 5% of the total score. I will not go into how an RFP is scored or is supposed to be scored. I would say that Maryland is not always 100% above board here... just ask how the vendor who developed the Health Care website was awarded a contract. There are many millions of dollars given to white contractors each year, if you are not getting them it is your bid. In this case the vendor was nonresponsive to the bid.. in other words he did not meet the base requirements for MBE subcontractor participation. You may not like these provisions but they do help create a stronger economy... more local small businesses stay health and employee people who pay taxes.. that does help reduce your tax burden, or it would if the thieves in Annapolis would stop pissing it a away on worthless projects and entitlements.
Thats 12 million pissed away.
Gay lesbian and trangengered now counts as a minority contractor. So only straight white men do not count.
What a shame when the only card you have is the RACE card !
Get a life !
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