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Hahn, Delgadillo and Chick Propose Fundamental Reforms To City's Contracting And Procurement Process

Summary:
City officials seek to cut red tape and make contracting process friendlier to businesses

Full Story:
Mayor Jim Hahn, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, and Controller Laura Chick today released a report outlining the steps the City of Los Angeles will take to reform and streamline the city?s cumbersome and complicated contracting and procurement process.

The report is the product of an unprecedented commitment and collaboration between the Mayor?s office, the City Attorney?s office and the Controller?s office to identify ways to streamline the contracting process which will help small businesses gain access to the city?s more than one billion dollars in contracts and expedite payments to city vendors.

"Streamlining the procurement process is another important step towards making Los Angeles a more business friendly city, " said Mayor Jim Hahn. "The recommendations in this report are based on input from the people who deal with City government on a daily business ? the vendor who supplies the uniforms for our police officers, the consultant who is assessing security needs at the Port of Los Angeles, and the contractor who is building our next library in the Valley."

"These new procedures are a direct result of input from small businesses and vendors who contract with the City," said City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. "These reforms were streamlined to help small businesses cut down on time filling out forms and increase the time they can do their work. In the end, it is the taxpayers that will ultimately benefit from these changes. The City will now be able to more efficiently attract and contract the most competitive and economically sound proposals resulting in a more efficient government and a higher quality of service for all Angelenos."

"The City of Los Angeles awards over a billion dollars worth of contracts each year. These contracts are an important part of the City?s economic engine. At our hearing we heard time and again that it?s too much of a hassle to contract with the City. I also hear from frustrated General Managers who have to wait for months on end to procure valuable resources and expertise needed to deliver public services. Our reforms will change that," said City Controller Laura Chick.

A public hearing chaired by all three officials, was held in January to review how the City contracts for services. Those in attendance, including more than 300 small business owners, corporate representatives, neighborhood council leaders, and residents, painted a picture of a contracting structure with antiquated technology and procedures, a lack of communication and interaction with vendors, and a philosophy that stifled innovation.

The report focuses on contractor bids and selection, small and minority business participation, technology improvements and contract management.

The Controller first proposed the idea of bringing the three citywide elected officials together on the contracting issue last fall.

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