Stringer wrote:

Contract renewal questioned Politically-connected firm gets grant-writing contract again

          by           Al Sullivan Reporter staff writer  February 15, 2015

The City Council has awarded a $271,000 one-year contract for grant writing and other services to Millennium Strategies over the objections of members Michael Yun and Richard Boggiano. The firm, which already does business with Jersey City and a number of municipalities including Bayonne, was founded by former aides to Rep. Bill Pascrell, and was not the lowest bidder for the contract.

At the council’s Feb. 10 meeting, Boggiano asked how the firm was selected by Jersey City when it was not the lowest bidder, and pointed to the company’s connections to a number of out-of-county political figures.

“I want to know how this firm was selected when it came in with the high bid,” Boggiano said.

City officials said bids were reviewed by a committee of three city workers and the evaluation was based on past experience. The company, they said, was responsible for bringing in large grants over the last few years, more than making up for the cost of services.

Read more:  Hudson Reporter - Contract renewal questioned Politically connected firm gets grant writing contract again