Newsom admin faces questions over $6.2M diaper contract after touting 'competitive' process

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s management connected Friday released nan statement down nan state’s $6.2 cardinal diaper programme aft questions astir nan deal’s noncompetitive nickname and a reported hold successful making nan statement public.

The statement pinch nonprofit Baby2Baby will supply families of newborns pinch 400 free diapers astatine participating California hospitals.

Newsom said successful May that nan woody went done a "competitive bidding process." However, nan state’s statement database lists it arsenic "NON-COMPETITIVELY BID," according to CBS California Investigates.

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Baby2Baby co-CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein airs pinch California Gov. Gavin Newsom astatine nan Golden State Start arena successful San Francisco connected May 8, 2026. The statement will supply 400 free diapers to families of newborns astatine participating California hospitals. (Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images for Baby2Baby)

Instead of seeking general bids, nan authorities asked willing groups to taxable accusation done a "Request for Information." The archive said it was "not a solicitation" and that prices submitted would not count arsenic bids, CBS California Investigates reported.

Newsom’s agency pushed backmost connected nan report, saying 15 groups responded and were reviewed based connected costs and their expertise to make and administer diapers.

"The politician was referring to nan process being competitory successful nature, which remains accurate," Newsom's agency told nan outlet.

The records reportedly did not see scoring sheets, rankings aliases clear information standards.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Baby2Baby leaders capable diaper boxes astatine nan Golden State Start arena successful San Francisco connected May 8, 2026. The authorities reportedly released nan statement 66 days aft nan outlet revenge a nationalist records request. (Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images for Baby2Baby)

Several applicants said they only learned they were nary longer being considered erstwhile Newsom announced nan Baby2Baby partnership, CBS California Investigates reported.

California’s 2025 budget exempted nan programme from normal bidding rules and different authorities reappraisal requirements, according to nan outlet.

CBS California Investigates recovered much than 2 twelve akin exemptions successful nan authorities budget, covering complete $1 cardinal successful spending. About two-thirds ne'er expire.

The authorities released nan statement connected July 17, 66 days aft nan outlet revenge a nationalist records request.

The governor’s agency said nan other clip was needed to "grant our legal team capable clip to process and activity connected these requests," according to CBS Investigates.

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Boxes of Baby2Baby diapers are displayed astatine nan Golden State Start programme motorboat successful San Francisco connected May 8, 2026. CBS reported that nan statement is astatine slightest nan 3rd clip Baby2Baby has received California backing without a competitory bid. (Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images for Baby2Baby)

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CBS California Investigates reported that nan statement marks astatine slightest nan 3rd clip Baby2Baby has received California backing without a competitory bid.

The nonprofit also has a relationship to nan Newsom administration. Baby2Baby co-CEO Norah Weinstein serves connected nan committee of nan California Partners Project, which was founded by first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, according to nan outlet.

Newsom's agency and Baby2Baby could not instantly beryllium reached by Fox News Digital for comment.