Diversity Thursday

A little snap-shot about how agendas, feelgoodism, and the ever present undercurrent of authoritarianism of the Diversity Industry (let me check your compliance off my list) combines with some good old-fashioned single source cronyism using other people's money.

First the math. There are what, about 300 Vet Centers in the USA and Puerto Rico?

From how I read this, simply to have a "Diversity Visual" on a wall, Vet Centers are required (we all know what "will" means) to purchase a framed printed from a sole vendor for $250 plus $50 shipping and handling. Not including the 150-300 man-hours VA wide to unwrap, process, and mount each picture - the math is $300 x 300 = $90,000.

$90,000 for this. Assume this is only for Region 4a, isn't is safe to assume that all have or will have a similar mandate? Even if not, how many artificial limbs would that buy? How many days in a hotel for family members? How many hours of physical therapy?

Want to see how this happens? Behold the workings of your VA.

From: [redacted], George
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2012 10:51 AM
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: Funds for Cathay Williams Portrait

All,

Per RCS, info is the Vendor’s information regarding the ordering of Cathay Williams portrait (see attachment). Per George [redacted] (Region 4A AAWG Representative), this portrait had been approved by Dr. Alphonse [redacted] and Don [redacted] for all Vet Centers to purchase. If you have any questions regarding this matter, feel free to contact Javier [redacted] (ARM/RCS) for funds and George [redacted] a7 602 640 [redacted] (Phx Vet Center) for the portrait.

Portrait: Cathay Williams Poster Framed with 4 Corner Metal and 3 Decorative Insignia.

Price: $250 (portrait); approx $50 Shipping & Insurance (Depending on the State)

Vendor: Gallery Chuma Inc.

VISTA Vendor File:

NUMBER: 19492 NAME: GALLERY CHUMA

ORDERING ADDRESS1: 43 JOHN ST ORDERING CITY: CHARLESTON

ORDERING STATE: SOUTH CAROLINA ORDERING ZIP CODE: 29403-6132

PROCUREMENT CONTACT PERSON: CC:[redacted] NWOKIKE

VENDOR PHONE NUMBER: 843/224 [redacted]

SOCIOECONOMIC GROUP (FPDS): N SM DISADVANTAGED BUS

SOCIOECONOMIC GROUP (FPDS): HZ HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN

BUSINESS TYPE (FPDS): SMALL IS A SF129 ON FILE?: YES

DATE OF SF129: NOV 21, 2012 SPECIAL FACTORS: CREDIT CARD ACCEPT

FMS VENDOR CODE: [redacted]

NON-RECURRING/RECURRING VENDOR: RECURRING

FMS VENDOR NAME: GALLERY CHUMA INC TAX ID/SSN: [redacted]

SSN/TAX ID INDICATOR: TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

PAYMENT HOLD INDICATOR: NO 1099 VENDOR INDICATOR: YES

PENDING FLAG: CONFIRMATION OF APPROVAL

CENTRAL REMIT: NO VENDOR TYPE: COMMERCIAL

MTI ACTION: ADD IFCAP ONLY

SYNONYM: GALLERY CHUMA INC

SYNONYM: [redacted]

PAYMENT ADDRESS1: 43 JOHN ST PAYMENT CITY: CHARLESTON

PAYMENT STATE: SOUTH CAROLINA PAYMENT ZIP CODE: 29403-6432

DUN & BRADSTREET #: [redacted] DATE VENDOR CREATED: APR 18, 2012

CREATED BY: [redacted],SHARON FAX #: 843/763 [redacted]

From:
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 4:43 PM
To: [redacted], George
Cc:
Subject: RE: Funds for Cathay Williams Portrait

George,

Forward the vendor information to all Vet Centers. Each Vet Center will request funds and coordinate purchase accordingly.

Thanks,

From: [redacted], George
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 5:36 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Funds for Cathay Williams Portrait

Hello J, Upon reflection on how to pay for the portraits and discussing with my regional representative counterparts on the most productive way to get the portraits to the vet centers. I suggest that the monies be placed in each Region 4a vet center’s account with the specified purpose that the funds be used to purchase the portrait. Also, as the portraits are received at each vet center, they in turn contact me so I that I may check them off the list as “portraits received.”

I believe that this process is easier and will get the portraits to the vet centers in a timely manner.

Thank you in advance for facilitating this request.

George R. [redacted], MC, LPC

Regional Representative 4A

African American Working Group

Nice story of a woman who served her country well and all ... but will those who have been wounded in our wars really get their $90,000 out of this?


Gallery Chuma is many things, but disadvantaged - it is not. Look it up.