This is a message from the campaign of Marya Pickering, Republican Candidate for DC Council At-Large:

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~ Week of September 28th ~

Recently, I had the pleasure to meet fellow immigrants in the DC area and listen to the issues that mattered to them.

~ Make Sure to Sign Up ([link removed]) on the DC GOP's Mailing List for Upcoming Events in Your Ward! ~
Yom Kippur:

G'mar Hatima Tova to our Jewish friends and neighbors!

NEWS FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL:

This week I want to focus on the highly irregular practices of our city's Office of Contracting and Procurement.

According to D.C. procurement laws and regulations, all bids on contracts above $250,000 must have a subcontracting plan which allocates a minimum of 35 percent of the total contract to local businesses. This measure ensures that a large portion of what our government spends supports D.C. residents.

The D.C. Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) has been consistently breaking that law ([link removed]) and wants to continue to do so.

Last year, the OCP awarded a $77 million contract for a Medicaid management information system to the technology firm DMX. DMX submitted four different subcontracting plans, but none of them designated the necessary 35 percent of the total contract to local subcontractors. As a former small business owner, I find this unacceptable. Our small business community wants to participate in local opportunities, and they should be afforded appropriate consideration in the source selection process.

In January, the Contract Appeals Board issued a ruling ([link removed]) stating that contract was indeed illegally awarded. The OCP used the flimsy defense ([link removed]) that the way they handled contract bids "was in the best interest of the District." The OCP went on to claim that their illegal contract practice will be reaffirmed through future legislation from the City Council.

The OCP admitted their practices were illegal, but claimed that was not a problem because they knew what was best.

That is exactly the type of misguided thinking that propelled me to run for DC City Council. No governmental body should be allowed to bend the law to their liking. As your Councilmember, I will ensure that does not happen. Keeping the OCP in line with city law will be a top priority. As a contract management professional with an MBA degree, I am the best qualified candidate to perform the Council's oversight role of our contracting practices, and effect positive change for all D.C. residents.

People throughout the city are also tired of the "sweetheart deals" with developers which displace long-time residents and do not serve the best interests of the community: In Ward Six, the developers of the Hill East project have not lived up to their promise of providing a certain percentage of low-income units. Additionally, the project itself was railroaded through the City Council without any consultations ([link removed]) from the local residents. Similar circumstances are evident in the McMillan Park and Howard University Divinity School properties in Ward 5.

To read more about what I will improve as a member of the DC City Council please visit my website: [link removed].

Register to Vote:

Make sure you are registered to vote! To confirm your registration or register for the first-time use this link: [link removed].

Mailing Events:

In the final stretch to election day, mailing events are as important as ever. I want to acknowledge all the volunteers who have given their time and effort into spreading my ideas for city improvement. I cannot thank them enough. This week there are more volunteer opportunities! 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM from Monday to Friday at 80 M ST SE, DCGOP is hosting volunteer mailing events. Food will be provided! RSVP to [email protected].

Upcoming Events:

This Wednesday afternoon, I will be participating in the Office of Campaign Finance virtual forum. On Thursday, I am scheduled for the DC Charter School Alliance Zoom interview.
MARYA's READS:

-"D.C. Has Been Breaking Its Own Contracting Law," By Mitch Ryals, Washington City Paper ([link removed])

-"To Safely Return To Campus, D.C. Schools Look To Outdoor Learning," By Amanda Michelle Gomez, Washington City Paper ([link removed])

-"Remember The Educational Fountain 'E Pluribus Unum'," By Deborah Simmons, The Washington Times ([link removed])

-"D.C. Water: Ongoing Project Could've Prevented Northeast Sewage Flooding," By Neal Augenstein, WTOP ([link removed])

-"St. Elizabeth's Hospital Staff Continues To Restrain, Seclude Patients Despite Documentation of 'Disturbing Staff Abuses'," By Amanda Michelle Gomez, Washington City Paper ([link removed])
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Paid for by Marya DC 2020. Michael McHugh, Treasurer. PO Box 40057, Washington, DC 20016. A copy of our report is filed with the Director of Campaign Finance of the District of Columbia Board of Elections.

Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 40057
Washington, DC 20016

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