Emergency management firm to lead NY’s $4.3M pandemic review

*Editor’s notice: The state has chosen the Olson Group Ltd. in Alexandria, Virginia, to conduct the one-year review. An earlier model of this story recognized a unique Olson Group Ltd. in New York City. 

A consulting firm based mostly in Alexandria, Virginia is closing in on finalizing a state contract to consider insurance policies and choices made in New York all through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Top state officers chosen Olson Group Ltd., which makes a speciality of emergency management and homeland safety planning and evaluation, to conduct the one-year review.

It will value up to $4.3 million, in accordance to the governor’s workplace.

“We have recognized the Olson Group because the successful bidder of the RFP for a contract with a most worth of $4.3 million,” Hochul’s press secretary Hazel Crampton-Hays said Wednesday. “We are shifting by the contract approval course of.”

The Olson Group Ltd. was based to help the restoration efforts within the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast in 2005. The firm makes a speciality of advising authorities businesses, companies, instructional establishments and nonprofit organizations in crises management throughout the U.S., in accordance to its web site.

The firm didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Wednesday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul this summer announced the state will hire an outside firm​ to assess the state’s dealing with of the pandemic, and consider the affect on the office and labor, companies, congregate care amenities, faculties and variety of deaths. The state began accepting bids to a Request For Proposal for the review in late July.

It’s unclear when the contract shall be finalized. The review is anticipated to start this month, in accordance to the unique proposal request. Bids have been due Aug. 17.

State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray will oversee the review, however Bray and governor’s workers labored collectively to choose the firm.

The firm will publish a report of its findings when the review is accomplished, Hochul stated this summer time. The governor will obtain an replace six months by, or doubtless late subsequent spring.

Firms that had beforehand contracted with the state to advise businesses and authorities about its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, together with aid, restoration packages and help companies, have been ineligible, in accordance to the RFP. But lawmakers and different advocates took concern with Hochul’s administration dealing with the state-led review — expressing concern the firm chosen is not going to be intimidated to demand solutions to troublesome questions from officers who might have influenced pandemic choices.

The exterior company that may carry out this investigation will report instantly to Bray, Hochul and different high aides, who will management releasing the firm’s findings and information. 

The governor can’t grant subpoena energy to the company that conducts this review, per state legislation.