New York City has decided to terminate its contract with medical services company DocGo, which was responsible for housing and caring for a recent influx of international migrants. The decision comes after scrutiny over the company's deal with the city and the quality of its services.
Mayor Eric Adams' office announced that the city will not renew its contract with DocGo, which was awarded a $432 million emergency contract last year to assist with the growing migrant population. The contract, awarded without a bidding process, raised concerns from city Comptroller Brad Lander regarding the lack of detail justifying the cost and the company's expertise in managing migrants.
Reports from the New York Times and Albany Times Union highlighted alleged mistreatment of migrants under DocGo's care, including issues with healthcare and food waste. The company's CEO resigned after admitting to falsifying his educational background.
Currently, DocGo is providing services for 3,600 migrants, with half located in New York City and the other half in upstate New York. The city plans to find a new housing provider for the migrants and will utilize an existing contract with Garner Environmental Services for those in the metropolitan area until a new vendor is selected.
The decision to end the contract with DocGo aims to save city funds and open up opportunities for non-profits and resettlement providers to contribute to the humanitarian efforts. The city is committed to using its resources efficiently and effectively in addressing the migrant crisis.
In response to the city's decision, a spokesperson for DocGo expressed pride in the company's work and its contribution to the city's response to the crisis. New York City has been struggling to accommodate the influx of international migrants since 2022, with over 187,000 individuals passing through the intake system seeking shelter.
Politico was the first to report on the city's choice not to renew its contract with DocGo.
