The Office of Executive Inspector General’s said Friday a contract for data services was too narrowly drawn to favor awarding it to a retired state worker.

However, the office also said it could not pinpoint blame for the way the contract terms were developed because multiple people were involved in the process.

The report issued Friday said the executive inspector general’s office received a complaint in 2018 that specifications for an employment contract favored Don Williams, a retired employee of the Department of Public Health who also managed databases for the Health Facilities and Services Review Board.

Although Williams retired from the state, he was rehired on two 75-day appointments. In late June 2018 the HFSRB solicited quotes to provide data services. Williams submitted a quote of $40 an hour for 2,000 hours of work. Another person who is not identified in the report offered to do the work for $32.50 an hour. The report indicates that the other bidder failed to submit all of the required documentation, however.

Williams was awarded the contract in July, 2018. It was to expire at the end of 2019. Williams was interviewed by investigators in March, 2019 and he said at that time he’d only made about $25,000 from the contract and didn’t expect to come close to making the full $80,000 he could have been paid.

Among the requirements to get the contract was familiarity with the certificate of need database used by the HFSRB. The OEEIG determined that making that part of the requirements gave an edge to Williams and possibly prevented others from bidding on the contract, in violation of state procurement rules. However, the office said that “given the collaborative, intertwined relationship between the HFSRB and IDPH, it is impossible to identify a single individual as ultimately responsible for the decision to issue the Request for Quote in its unduly restrictive form.”

The report did say that Debbie Magerl, a public services administrator at Public Health, gave improper assistance to Williams by advising him on ways to improve his resume as part of his application.

The Department of Public Health said all of those involved in setting the qualifications for the contract and Magerl would undergo additional training in proper procurement procedures. Public Health also said Williams’ contract was voided in August.

Contact Doug Finke: doug.finke@sj-r.com, 788-1527, twitter.com/dougfinkesjr.