The House Agriculture Committee is pressing USDA to explain its decision to consolidate contractors for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, a move that has resulted in food shortages in participating tribal communities.
Packages for FDPIR are sourced through USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service warehouse network in partnership with the Food and Nutrition Service.
The deliveries go to income-eligible households living in the designated areas. Participants in FDPIR are barred from participating in other federal food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
However, more than 100 Indian tribal organizations have faced disruptions in FDPIR and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which specifically supports seniors, since May.
These delays follow USDA transitioning distribution from two contractors to one. Starting in April, Paris Brothers Inc. of Missouri became the sole warehouse provider for FDPIR, a decision tribal leaders expressed concern about when it was announced in February.
On Friday, the House Agriculture Committee sent a letter to USDA, FNS and AMS seeking more details about the consolidation and agency efforts to address the shortages.
“While we understand the fluidity of the situation and appreciate the Department’s ongoing response efforts and staff updates, questions remain about the contracting process,” the letter says.
The letter, signed by Chairman Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., and ranking member David Scott, D-Ga., asks the agency to provide documentation and internal deliberations associated with the consolidation, the unredacted contract signed by Paris Brothers, communications between the agency and the contractor and more.
The lawmakers also asked for the name of the USDA official who made the final call to issue the contract to Paris Brothers.
A USDA spokesperson said in a statement that the consolidation was the outcome of a competitive bidding process. The agency was required to rebid the contract under the Federal Acquisition Regulation after exercising all options to extend the previous contracts, according to the spokesperson.
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While there were multiple bids, the technical evaluation board only found the selected contract acceptable.
The contractor has increased its workforce and reorganized warehouse space for efficiency, according to the spokesperson. USDA has also partnered with FEMA to support the contractor's logistics and consult on next steps.
USDA has announced short-term steps to remedy the shortages. The most recent move was to offer up $11 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation for emergency food purchases.
The committee also asked for more details about this move, and if Paris Brothers will be held financially responsible for failing to meet its contractual obligations.
USDA was asked to respond to these questions no later than Sept. 20.
Also on Friday, a bipartisan group of senators sent a separate letter to USDA on the matter, urging the agency to take immediate action.
“Participating households have not had consistent food deliveries for over four months,” the senators wrote. “This is unacceptable.”
The senators urged USDA to engage in emergency tribal consultation and swiftly restore full operation of the FDPIR program, while making plans to prevent further shortages.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., led the letter, which was also signed by Sens. John Hoeven, R-N.D., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore.
USDA said it is taking an "all-hands approach" to resume on-time deliveries for FDPIR and CFSP participants. The agency is meeting with tribal leaders weekly and is undertaking a review of its procurement process to prevent similar situations from happening in the future, an agency spokesperson said in a statement.
"We recognize the impact these delays are having on the daily lives of FDPIR and CSFP participants," said the spokesperson. "We are deeply committed to finding solutions for the immediate term while addressing underlying issues to restore a fully functional and dependable regular distribution system."
This story has been updated with additional information from USDA.
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