DWP EMBARRASSED OVER TENT-PURCHASING FOUL-UP.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, already criticized for possible irregularities in its contracting practices, was forced to return about 60 tents to a vendor after Los Angeles city officials discovered that the tents do not meet fire-safety standards, officials said Tuesday.

The tents, valued at about $3,000, are on their way back to vendor Cal Olympic Supply, DWP officials said. But questions about the purchase - and the DWP's explanations about it - linger.

City Councilman Tony Cardenas said Tuesday that he's concerned not only that the DWP bought tents that don't meet state fire-safety codes, but that a DWP official last month insisted that the tents did conform with the law.

After returning the tents, the DWP canceled its contract with Cal Olympic and opted to buy the tents for $5,000 from Northridge-based Montrose Supply Co., which originally bid against Cal Olympic for the contract. Montrose has alleged that it was unfairly denied the original contract.

``The reason this little $5,000 deal ... was a big deal was because a company called Montrose Supply Co. told us they were not being treated fairly, they were being treated egregiously in a way that a bidder should not be treated,'' Cardenas said. ``It tarnished the Department of Water and Power's credibility. Even though we're talking about a $5,000 bid, their credibility is priceless.''

The tents are used as shelter for DWP workers during the summer, particularly in hot locations such as the Owens Valley.

Montrose Supply Co. is headed by Candido Marez, an outspoken San Fernando Valley activist who has criticized the DWP over contracting practices and its alleged retaliation against employees who speak out.

Marez said he believes that the DWP froze him out of the tent contract because of his outspokenness. He said he was grateful to City Council members for intervening.

``They not only embarrassed themselves, they embarrassed the entire city family,'' Marez said.

The DWP's acting general manager, Enrique Martinez, said the utility erred in not checking the fire specifications more carefully. But Martinez said he found no evidence of retaliation against Marez.

``I believe that due process has been served in matters of Mr. Marez,'' said Martinez.

Cal Olympic President Dale Bermond said his company accepts that it might have misrepresented the fire-safety specifications of the tents based on information provided by their manufacturer. Bermond said there was no intent to mislead anyone.

``The DWP acted in good faith, and we acted in good faith,'' Bermond said.

James Nash, [phone]

james.nash(at)dailynews.com