Cecilia Castellano challenges county on unfair contract awards

In a recent meeting of the Bexar County Commissioners Court, Cecilia Castellano, president of Azteca Designs and Construction, raised serious concerns regarding the procurement process for a courthouse renovation project. Azteca, a minority woman-owned business with 18 years of experience in construction, submitted the lowest bid for the probate suite renovation but was ultimately passed over in favor of a higher bidder, raising questions about transparency and fairness in the bidding process.

Castellano highlighted that Azteca was not notified of the award decision, nor were they given the opportunity to present their case before the court, as mandated by Bexar County local government code 262.027. This code stipulates that contracts should not be awarded to bidders who are not the lowest dollar bidders meeting specifications without prior notice and an opportunity to contest the decision. Castellano expressed frustration over the lack of communication and the disqualification of Azteca without clear justification, stating, \"We want to know why our company was disqualified, what was said about our company.\"

The meeting also addressed broader issues within the procurement process, including allegations of bias against minority-owned businesses and the need for greater transparency in contract awards. Castellano urged the commissioners to consider reforms, including changes in leadership within the purchasing department, enhanced transparency in the awarding process, and the use of cooperative contracts to streamline procurement and support local businesses.

The concerns raised by Castellano reflect ongoing challenges faced by minority-owned firms in navigating government contracts, particularly in the context of rising costs and inflation. As the county continues to award contracts, the call for adherence to established procurement codes and fair treatment of all bidders remains a pressing issue for local businesses.