In a contentious meeting, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors evaluated legislation from Rafael Mandelman, the president of the Board, aiming to simplify the city’s intricate contracts and procurement process.
Mandelman’s proposed changes primarily target an overly burdensome procurement system, which treats large contracts of $5,000,000 or more in the same manner as smaller contracts valued under $230,000.
This convoluted approach entails significant administrative challenges, often consuming excessive time and resources, and hindering small businesses from effectively engaging with the city, as highlighted in a 2024 report from the Office of the City Administrator.
The issues surrounding procurement inefficiencies mirror concerns raised by journalists Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson in their 2023 manifesto, Abundance, which critiques bureaucratic red tape prevalent in progressive states.
District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey, supporting Mandelman’s streamlining efforts, characterized the existing procurement system as “everything bagel” policymaking—a reflection of Klein’s critique of San Francisco’s extensive regulatory framework.
Introduced in February, Mandelman’s legislation progressed to the Budget and Finance Committee earlier this month, culminating in a vote at the full Board of Supervisors on July 15.
Mandelman described the proposed legislation as a collection of straightforward measures aimed at cleansing procurement protocols, with a specific focus on eliminating needless requirements for smaller contracts.
A contentious element within the legislation was the proposal to dissolve the Sweatfree Procurement Advisory Group.
Established in 2005 under the city’s Sweatfree Contracting Ordinance, this group advises San Francisco on ensuring that city garment procurement practices are ethical, sourcing uniforms and other garments from sweat-free workshops.
Initially a significant victory for labor organizations, the ordinance aimed to combat poor working conditions in both domestic and international garment factories, particularly affecting vulnerable immigrant women in local factories.
While Mandelman asserted that most contracts for garments exceed the $230,000 threshold, he indicated a willingness to reassess the entire ordinance in response to heated exchanges during the Supervisors’ meeting.
This sentiment triggered a backlash, with District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan reading a passionate letter from Tim Paulson, a former Executive Director of the San Francisco Labor Council.
Paulson’s letter labeled the proposed weakening of the ordinance and dissolution of the advisory group as “unacceptable,” suggesting the Board was embarking on an “anti-worker path.”
Supervisor Joel Engardio called for a pause regarding the “sweatshop part,” amplifying concerns among colleagues and community advocates.
Throughout the conversation, Mandelman appeared bewildered by the opposition to what he viewed as a pragmatic approach.
The Board ultimately voted 6-5 to return the legislation to committee, emphasizing a divide among supervisors regarding the proposed changes.
Engardio’s shift in stance, voting against the legislation after previously supporting it in committee, played a crucial role in the decision.
The other dissenting votes came from Supervisors Chan, Myrna Melgar, Jackie Fielder, Shamann Walton, and Chyanne Chen.
Despite its minimal costs and advisory nature, the Sweatfree Procurement Advisory Group remains under scrutiny.
Mandelman expressed frustration after the vote, indicating that if his colleagues do not reconsider, the legislation may lose its original intent and be sent back to the Budget and Finance Committee, targeting an eventual vote for September.
Advocates for the principles outlined in Abundance would argue that such delays exemplify the very inefficiencies they seek to eradicate.
On the opposing side, Conchita Lozano-Batista, chair of the Sweatfree Procurement Advisory Group, criticized the legislative approach.
In her correspondence with the Board, Lozano-Batista described the wholesale adoption of a bestselling book’s philosophy as “dangerous and embarrassing,” asserting that such governance requires in-depth investigation and the formulation of best practices instead of blanket solutions.
She included a critique of Abundance for the supervisors to consider, emphasizing the necessity for diligence and a comprehensive evaluation of the potential impacts of the proposed changes.
While the legislation’s current status may be uncertain, the future of the Sweatfree Procurement Advisory Group remains precarious.
With the passage of Proposition E in November, a task force has been instituted to evaluate and potentially eliminate some of the city’s 149 commissions, including the Sweatfree Procurement Advisory Group.
Ed Harrington, cochair of this task force, noted that the advisory group meets infrequently and has been categorized as a “borderline inactive body.”
Though the group successfully avoided cuts in an initial review, Harrington confirmed that further evaluation will occur in August, with potential recommendations on its future set to be submitted to the Board of Supervisors by November.
image source from：missionlocal
