The CFTOD Cancels No-Bid Contract With Figgers Communication Following Backlash
Following backlash and public scrutiny, the Ron DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) has canceled a contract with Freddie Figgers’ Figgers Communication to update its 911 network.
Earlier this month, the CFTOD authorized a $242,500 no-bid contract with Figgers Communication, at the same time that Figgers was serving with CFATOD administrator Glen Gilzean on the Florida Commission on Ethics. Both men had been appointed to the ethics board by Ron DeSantis.
When the no-bid contract between the CFTOD and Figgers was revealed in the press, the backlash was swift.
The CFTOD Defends the Contract
For their part, the district told WFTV that when it comes to public safety, it looks loooks at qualifications and experience when picking a firm.
According to the CFTOD, FIggers Communication was chosen because it met the criteria and was able to work within the compressed timeframe for the migration of 911 wireless calls.
According to district officials, the contract was canceled at the request of Figgers.
“They [Figgers Communication] do not wish to continue under the current atmosphere and wish to participate in a bidding process instead,” Matthew Oberly, the district’s director of external affairs, said Tuesday. “Which is unfortunate as now we will have to start over.”
Figgers Requests An Open Bidding Process
In a letter to the district, Figgers requested an open bidding process to “err on the side of caution.”
“We welcome the opportunity for an open bidding process and are confident that it will reveal that our proposal to implement the 911 wireless and VOIP emergency services was very reasonable, with no intention of taking advantage of the District,” Figgers wrote in the letter.
“A Critical Urgent Need”
While the CFTOD has acquiesced to Figggers’ wishes, the district still defends the contract, which they say is critical to fixing an issue where 911 calls go unanswered.
“It follows all of the procurement guidelines,” Oberly said. “It was a critical urgent need.”
Additionally, he said the contract met three bidding exceptions in the district’s purchasing policy for urgent operational needs.
Gilzean’s Involvement Remains Unclear
While Gilzean was reportedly not involved in awarding the contract to Figgers Communication, an August 4 email obtained by the Orlando Sentinel shows that Gilzean’s chief of staff introduced Figgers to Tiffany Kimball, the district’s purchasing officer.
“Tiffany please meet Freddie Figgers, Chief Executive Officer, Figgers Communication Inc. Tiffany, per our conversation please reach out to Freddy to discuss information needed for contracting,” Hosington wrote in the email.
Now, the CFTOD will start back at square one and listen to bids for the telecommunication upgrade contract. This ends another PR nightmare for the DeSantis-appointed district.