Amid a series of scandals, most lawmakers say they want to reform the way Texas hands out billions in state contracts. Discussion has narrowed to a handful of bills that some warn are merely first steps.
Contract High
Contract High is an occasional series looking at how Texas outsourced crucial state services for two decades — and got smoked.
Posted in
Contract High
Failed Hospital Deal Reveals Ties to Janek
Three years ago, a company called Geo Care Inc. gave HHSC chief Kyle Janek a blueprint for privatizing state hospitals. The only contract awarded — privatizing Terrell State Hospital — ended up going to that same company.
Posted in
Contract High
Details Murky on State’s Largest Contracts
The Tribune asked more than 20 state agencies for basic information on their largest contracts with private vendors. Most knew, but the embattled health commission, which believes it has $60 billion or so in contracts, couldn’t provide key details.
Posted in
Contract High
FBI at Health Commission Asking About 21CT Deal
FBI agents have interviewed Texas Health and Human Services Commission employees about the agency’s problematic contract with Austin firm 21CT, Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek said Thursday, the first time any official with direct knowledge of the FBI’s involvement has confirmed it.
Posted in
Contract High
Lawmakers Vying to Bring More Transparency to State Contracting
Texas lawmakers consider different approaches to transforming the state’s unwieldy, loophole-ridden system of contract oversight into something that can be properly tracked, analyzed and, when needed, restrained.
Posted in
Contract High
State Program Favoring Disabled Stirs Debate
A state program pushes agencies to skip competitive bidding for more than $100 million in annual purchases in favor of hiring nonprofits that employ disabled workers.
Posted in
Contract High
The HHSC-21CT Contract Investigations: How Did It Get to This Point?
A now-canceled deal between the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and a software maker is the subject of scrutiny and is also causing greater talk of state contract reforms. Here’s a look back at the deal and what led to the current investigations.
Posted in
Contract High
In State Contracting, Failure is an Option
Texas’s tendency to privatize state services has led to contracting scandals erupting regularly. But a history of cost overruns or bad performance hardly bars a company from winning future jobs.