Vendors criticize bidding process

BOSTON — Two longtime Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) cleaning vendors are crying foul over the current bid process to award a five-year, $73 million custodial contract, claiming it is currently favoring a rival, according to the Boston Herald.

Patrick DeRocco, co-owner of Empire Cleaning of Wakefield, which has been cleaning MBTA vehicles and stations since 1980, submitted a letter to Transportation Secretary Richard Davey, complaining that his company was disqualified before they were even allowed the chance to bid, the article stated.

"We''ve recently been denied the opportunity to compete. Nobody would tell us anything further. We were shocked to hear MBTA managers tell us things like: ''Sorry, but you''re out, and we can''t tell you anything more.'' The idea that we should be precluded is ludicrous, as Empire is eminently qualified to compete," he wrote, saying his company''s bid was "blocked" to eliminate competition.

According to the article, John Williamson, owner of J&K Cleaning, has also claimed that his company has also been "stonewalled" when seeking reasons for why they were eliminated from the bidding round despite serving the MBTA since 1984.

MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis refuted those claims, saying, "It has been an open and transparent process," but he declined to comment on why longtime contractors have been weeded out, citing an "ongoing" process, the article noted.

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