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November 3, 1969
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mr. Johnny Johnson
FROM: Dan E. Sweat, Jr.
SUBJECT: Model Cities Mass Convention, Inc.,
and QED Consulting Firm
Iappreciate your memo on this subject dated October 30, 1969. AslI
understand your position, you state that the expenditure to employ this
consultant will be from the proceeds of an EOA, Inc. grant to Model
Cities Mass Convention, Incorporated (MCMC, Inc.) and, consequently,
the city is in no position to exercise any control over which firm that MCMC,
Inc, employs for this work.
I will defer to your judgement as to the technical operations of this procedure
and I understand that the city does not exercise any direct control over the ac-
tions of MCMC, Inc., when city funds are not involved. My only interest
is that the city, and more specifically the Model Cities Program, does not
suffer any embarrassment resulting from the award of contracts by any Model
City Agency or contractor.
To preclude this possibility, I reiterate my request of October 28, 1969,
that a complete dossier be prepared on QED prior to a decision being made
on the award of the contract to them. This dossier should include the com-
plete list of the principals with resumes of their education and experience;
review of their present positions so that any conflict of interest can be de-
termined; some examples or references of similar work performed; a
complete review of the experience and qualifications of the firm to do this
work; a budget and program designed to accomplish the work desired; and
any other information necessary to make a well-informed decision on the
capability of this firm to successfully accomplish this work.
This request should be made to MCMC, Inc., recognizing that the city
does not have the authority to require it but feels that good administrative
practices demand it. When this information is prepared, a good case can
supposedly be made for awarding this contract to this firm instead of ano-
ther. Should there be any later question, the city will be in a much better
position to defend the action. You may be assured that the general public
will not distinguish between MCMC, Inc., and the larger Model City Pro-
gram in the event charges of impropriety or conflict of interest are made
against the corporation.
My only interest in this project is the well being of our Model City Program.
If the facts support the contention that QED is qualified and able to do this
work at competitive prices, I will fully support the award to them. By the
same token, if the facts indicate that they are not qualified to accomplish
this work, I feel that the award should not be made. In any event, I want
us to be in a position to defend the action of MCMC, linc., even if we are
not directly responsible for the management of the organization.
DESJrism