Upcoming Review on the Invest Medicine Hat RFP Fiasco Part 2
Timeline on the Request for Proposal to Outsource Invest Medicine Hat
Oct 2018 – Bob Nicolay hired as CAO/City Manager.
Aug 2019 – Previously outsourced IMH brought in as a City Department.
Feb 25 2020 – Jason Melhoff hired as Managing Director IMH, start date March 2 2020.
https://www.medicinehat.ca/en/news/cao-announces-managing-director-of-invest-medicine-hat.aspx
Feb 23 2021 – Less than a year later, Orka incorporates; staff includes 6 IMH employees headed by Melhoff. Address is 104 2201 Box Springs Blvd NW
https://albertacorporations.com/orka-management-group-inc
June 15 2021 – RFP for a ten year contract quietly put out, changed so city employees could bid. It’s vague, Value Added section is concerning.
July 17 2021 - CUPE Local 4 filed a grievance.
“Our problem is the city didn’t publicly advertise this or include us in the process, which is contrary to the terms of our contract,” said Sam Ferrier, president of the union...”
July 19 2021 – Bid closes, Orka sole bidder.
July 23 2021 - Orka rescinds their bid.
Bob Nicolay
- brought IMH under the umbrella of the City
- hired Jason Melhoff
- changed the RFP so city workers could bid
- failed to consult with the union
When he was confronted, he insisted there was no conflict of interest.
I said before - to paraphrase an old movie - (re IMH/Orka) - "Listen, if you didn't know it was going to seem unethical you're too f---in' dumb to keep this job, if you did know, you were in on it. Either way, YOU'RE OUT!"
#IMH #yxh #rfp #Orka #kelly4mhcc #unethical #bobnicolay #cao #citymanager #cupelocal46 #cupe