Fort Simpson (Mar 31/06) - Starting April 1, the Stanley Isaiah Supportive Living Home (SISLH) will be under the management of Yellowknife-based Life Care Planning.

Jacqueline Elleze, left, and Anne Marie McGuire examine the proposal that failed to win the Liidlii Kue First Nations another contract to manage the Stanley Isaiah Supportive Living Home. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Liidlii Kue First Nations lost its bid for the new three-year contract. The band has been running the program since 2001.

"We are at a loss as to why this would have been given to a different company in Yellowknife," said Anne Marie McGuire, the director of health and social programs for LKFN.

McGuire said the band received a phone call on March 16 to inform them they had lost the contract. They were underbid by $7,618. Since getting the news, McGuire said staff at the band have been searching for a way to change the decision.

"We're fighting to save SISLH," she said.

The main concern is for the eight residents of the home, said McGuire. On March 17, the eight staff members at the home were given their two weeks notice.

"The changes in staffing are going to be devastating to the clients and their families," said McGuire.

Clients who use the program are a vulnerable group of people, she said. The consistency and stability of the staff has allowed them to make progress. Many of the staff members are Dene and Metis who know the families and have grown up with the clients.

"The knowledge the staff have is irreplaceable," said McGuire.

Residents have been told about the contract situation and that the current staff might leave.

"They were all upset," said Jaqueline Elleze, the acting program manager.

"I was sad about it and worried about the clients because I got to know them well," said Elleze about losing her own job.

The decision to award the contract was made through the contracting procedure, said Kathy Tsetso, the CEO of Deh Cho Health and Social Services.

Points were awarded on the basis of evaluation of criteria and the Yellowknife firm scored higher. There was a small difference in the budget, but it wasn't the deciding factor, Tsetso said.

"It had more to do with program content and the methodology of how they proposed to deliver the program," said Tsetso.

Staffing decisions will be decided by Life Care Planning.

Tsetso said she has contacted the band so it can schedule a meeting to plan a smooth transition between the contractors. Having some time would be ideal, but Tsetso said she won't know if that will happen until after the meeting. Tsetso said she's not aware of any appeals process in the government contracting procedure.

Despite the lack of defined procedure, Rock Matte, the executive director for LKFN, said they are prepared to challenge the decision.

"We are contemplating any remedy available at this time," said Matte.

Life Care Planning did not return phone calls befo