CALVO’S SelectCare has joined the dispute on the Department of Administration’s procurement procedures for the contract for GovGuam’s health insurance program. DOA halted the process last week because of a protest submitted by TakeCare insurance company.
But in a letter of protest to DOA, Calvo’s SelectCare claims DOA’s negotiating team unlawfully allowed two healthcare providers, including TakeCare, to modify their proposals. SelectCare wants these revised proposals rejected and wants DOA to negotiate the contract with the remaining providers.
In a news release, SelectCare stated the negotiating team’s actions are a blatant violation of procurement law and greatly diminishes the integrity of the procurement process.
In response, Jeffrey Larsen, TakeCare chief operating officer, said: “TakeCare denies any wrongdoing whatsoever. In fact, the ‘modified’ filings that Calvo’s SelectCare maintains were in violation of the bid laws were submitted at the request of DOA officials from the Calvo administration. It is morally and legally wrong for Calvo administration officials to request that TakeCare submit ‘modified’ filings, and then have Calvo’s SelectCare argue that TakeCare should be disqualified for doing so.”
Larsen adds that the best solution may be to redo the bid process.
TakeCare, in its protest submitted earlier this month, alleges that DOA had illegally re-ranked TakeCare, despite having contacted the healthcare provider to begin negotiations.
