‘Fast and furious:’ In rush to spend, fewer bidders likely cost MSCS millions
Gipson Mechanical employees work on an air-dirt separator at Vollentine Elementary. Gipson was the only bidder on the project. (Courtesy Memphis Shelby County Schools)
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The Institute for Public Service Reporting
The Institute for Public Service Reporting is based at the University of Memphis and supported financially by U of M, private grants and donations made through the University Foundation. Its work is published by The Daily Memphian through a paid-use agreement.
In trying to quickly spend $172 million, the school district made decisions that limited competition for contracts, favored certain vendors and helped push overall costs up as much as 40%.
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Changes in specs excluded key HVAC vendors from MSCS contracts
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Memphis Shelby County SchoolsIn partnership with
The Institute for Public Service Reporting is based at the University of Memphis and supported financially by U of M, private grants and donations made through the University Foundation. Its work is published by The Daily Memphian through a paid-use agreement.
David Waters
David Waters is Distinguished Journalist in Residence and assistant director of the Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis.
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