From JCI’s “poor me” schtick in today’s “Overheard” column.
On the contract between Johnson Controls and the Duluth school district, which designates the firm to both design and implement the district’s long-range facilities plan:
“What the school district was looking for – was a partnership.” – Schiltz
“‘You’re in the long haul with us.’ That was the intent.” – Schiltz
“It holds our feet to the fire for accountability.” – Schiltz
“It helps to guarantee that what gets promised and planned is what gets designed and built.” – David
“[Such a contractual arrangement] is very common.” – David
Partnership, No. Sweetheart deal, Yes.
Accountability? This is a joke. JCI has the right to set specs that all but limit competitive bids on individual projects plus choose to purchase tens of millions of their own HVAC products and then reap the benefit of decades of expensive maintenance contracts. Much of this has been justified with smoke and mirrors “too good to be true” unenforceble promises.
