Family Dept. extends home aide contract pending fiscal board review

By THE STAR STAFF

The island Family Department (DF), led by Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes, along with the Administration for Families and Children (ADFAN by its acronym in Spanish) and its administrator, Wilma I. Ortiz, confirmed on Thursday the extension of the home aide services contract, which will allow in-home services for the elderly and disabled to continue while the corresponding administrative process is completed.

The agency reiterated that it has taken the necessary steps and submitted the required documentation through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) platform for review by the Financial Oversight and Management Board to finalize the contract.

Roig Fuertes clarified the status of the contract with Housekeeping Services Corp. (COSALL), explaining that the formalization process is currently under review by the oversight board because, due to its value, the agreement requires regulatory approval from the federal entity.

The procedures, document handling and administrative discussions for the contract renewal formally began in early August. Roig Fuertes said the DF submitted the documentation to the OMB platform on Aug. 14. The DF followed up with the oversight board on Aug. 17, with a courtesy notification that included all the documents submitted to the OMB.

The oversight board had informed ADFAN earlier this week that the COSALL contract would not be approved for the time being.

“Based on the information available, the oversight board cannot determine at this time whether the Proposed Contract promotes competition in the marketplace,” reads part of the letter addressed to ADFAN, an agency administered by the Family Department.

According to the oversight board, the proposed contract, which would be valid until 2029, was submitted for review and approval on Tuesday, Sept. 1, “the same day that services were expected to begin.”

“The Oversight Board’s Contract Review Policy, established pursuant to Section 204(b)(2) of PROMESA [the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act], requires that new contracts be submitted to the Oversight Board with the required documentation a minimum of 15 business days prior to their proposed execution date,” reads part of the letter. “The Oversight Board requires ADFAN to implement corrective measures to comply with the Policy.”

The proposed contract arises from the “Request for Proposals for Contracting Professional Services of Home Aides,” issued on April 30.

The oversight board said on Wednesday that it issued a request for information to ADFAN, following a challenge to the awarding of the request for proposals for the contract, for which ADFAN alleged that there is a pending judicial process.

“The Oversight Board recognizes the importance and necessity of ensuring continuity of services provided to older persons and adults with disabilities,” the board said. “Consequently, the Oversight Board requires ADFAN to submit for review and approval a one-month renewal of Contract 2026-2027 with COSALL for the same services, prior to its execution, with the corresponding maximum payable amount.”

COSALL specified that if the contract is signed before Sept. 30, it will notify its staff “so that they can return to their work” despite having established a temporary “period,” Sept. 2-30, without work assignment for the employees under the contract.

Rep. Héctor Ferrer Santiago, the Popular Democratic Party minority leader in the House of Representatives, demanded later on Wednesday that Gov. Jenniffer González Colón take immediate action on the matter, which he attributed to a lack of foresight and action stemming from questionable priorities.

“This is precisely what happens when a government fails to act in a timely manner,” the lawmaker said. “We are talking about services that directly impact the well-being and quality of life of people who depend on the Family Department, as well as workers who suddenly face uncertainty regarding their livelihoods. The government should have anticipated this situation and guaranteed the continuity of services.”