| Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative William J. Jefferson (D-LA) expressed concern that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is not awarding more contracts to Louisiana firms. Jefferson released the following statement in response to FEMA officials’ testimony that some contracts are being awarded to non-Louisiana companies at a U.S. Senate subcommittee field hearing in New Orleans yesterday:
“I am deeply disappointed to learn that FEMA is not awarding all available contracts to Louisiana firms. I received assurances from FEMA procurement and contracting officials – in four separate meetings in my Washington office as well as during a House Select Committee on Katrina investigative hearing – that the re-bidding process would result in awarding all of the contracts to Louisiana firms, with special consideration for disadvantaged businesses.
“This contracting process, with its loopholes and vague language, has resulted in a loss of jobs for Louisiana citizens. FEMA’s irresponsible behavior and broken promises are unacceptable. We need contracts to go to Louisiana firms, who employ Louisiana’s workers, to engage our economy and put our residents to work so that they can come home and rebuild their lives.
“I have requested a meeting with FEMA Director David Paulison immediately to ensure that the re-bidding process does what I was assured it is supposed to do: award all contracts to Louisiana firms and put our people to work. There are enough firms in this state to do the work necessary and we cannot disregard them.”
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