State Outsourcing
01 — How It Started
After taking office in 2011, Gov. Bill Haslam made a big push to outsource and privatize multiple functions of state government. By 2015, his administration had launched plans to outsource lodging and concessions management at state parks, along with custodial, maintenance and groundskeeping at college campuses, state prisons and other state office facilities. In late 2016, I reported for the Nashville Post on a secretive committee leading the facilities management outsourcing plan .
"Secret outsourcing process moves forward"
My reporting found that contrary to the governor's claims, the RFP did not require the selected contractor to protect employees' jobs. United Campus Workers, Democratic legislators and other critics of the plan were up in arms.
02 — Where the Reporting Went
Three companies bidding on outsourcing
Thanks to a tipster, in early 2017 I broke the news of which three companies were bidding on the RFP.
JLL awarded massive outsourcing contract
In March, JLL was given the contract, despite poor past performance in other state contracts and questions about conflicts of interest.
Outsourcing on fast track for implementation
The state moved to quickly implement outsourcing before legislation to slow it down could move forward.
'All the retirement system is holding JLL stock'
More questions about JLL, Haslam and conflicts of interest popped up.
Details of outsourcing contract released
It turned out the contract incentivized JLL to cut costs as much as possible during the first year, increasing fears of likely job cuts.
Haslam: Outsourcing is 'pretty good' for employees
Haslam continued to promote the benefits of outsourcing.
Despite $150M+ savings forecast, more outsourcing questions
Further reporting found the "cost savings" from outsourcing may have been somewhat inflated.
JLL outsourcing contract finalized
Despite all the controversies, the state finalized the contract anyway.
02 — Creative process
As my reporting on the facilities management outsourcing continued, I also began delving into the outsourcing plans for the state parks.
In a surprise move, the state pulled an RFP to redevelop Fall Creek Falls.
Martin defends outsourcing amid tough questions
As the legislature raised questions, state officials continued to stand by their plan.
'Post' sues state over closed procurement records
When the state refused to released documents relating to the pulled RFP, we sued.
'Scene' and 'Post' win public records suit in Fall Creek Falls case
We won the lawsuit and set a new precedent in state open records law.
04 — What Happened
All my reporting and all the questions raised by legislators and critics of the outsourcing plan had an impact. Although Austin Peay State University did sign on to the contract, the University of Tennessee system turned it down — a huge blow to Haslam, whose family is a major UT donor.
In 2018, JLL turned its attention to other state schools. As I was in the middle of further reporting, including on abysmal work safety conditions at APSU for the outsourced custodial employees, my time at the Post came to an end.
Eventually changes were pushed through at Fall Creek Falls, and many employees did lose jobs. However, the larger plans to revamp and completely outsource everything in state parks fell apart — at least for now.