Government

Dept. of Health Rejects No-Bid $1 Million Avera Deal; TSG, Gov't House, Engage in What Appears to Be Illegal Contract

Last updated: 6:09 p.m. Straight out the gate while giving testimony during a Committee of the Whole hearing Wednesday, Dept. of Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion revealed that D.O.H. had informed Avera that the department had rejected its $1 million proposal, a move that came after particulars of the process was laid bare during a Finance Committee hearing in July in which chairman Kurt Vialet brought up the matter. Persistent media coverage swiftly followed, which led to the Wednesday Committee of the Whole hearing. Previously, D.O.H. had awarded Avera the $1 million deal and Ms. Encarnacion had said D.O.H. had several talks with the company and wanted to move quickly because of the importance of coronavirus contact tracing.  On Wednesday, she said, "As it relates to Avera, I understand the community's concern and the appearance of a conflict of interest. On July 23 the Dept. of Health notified Avera Inc. that we disqualified the proposal sent by them due to their failure to s...