The Department of Homeland Security
is looking into FEMA contracts for Puerto Rico relief awarded to a St. Cloud company.
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog is investigating how a fledgling Florida company won more than $30 million in contracts for desperately needed disaster-relief supplies in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.
Acting Inspector General John Kelly said in a letter addressed to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on Wednesday that he would review the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s awards to Bronze Star LLC. He said he recognizes concerns that the St. Cloud-based company was awarded contracts despite its lack of experience.
FEMA awarded the company two contracts Oct. 10 to provide 500,000 tarps and 60,000 rolls of plastic sheeting. More than a halfdozen others also bid.
Bronze Star failed to deliver emergency tarps and plastic sheeting needed to cover tens of thousands of Puerto Rican homes damaged by the storm’s winds. FEMA terminated the contracts this month without paying any money, but the episode caused a delay of four weeks.
It was not clear how thoroughly FEMA investigated Bronze Star or its ability to fulfill the contracts. Formed by two brothers in August, Bronze Star had never before won a government contract or delivered tarps or plastic sheeting.