Playing fair in the District

POLITICAL CRONYISM derailed efforts last year by D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi to improve the city's troubled lottery operation. Not only did the D.C. Council reject a firm that promised to upgrade the lottery and make more money, but it also besmirched the process by which the city awards contracts. Council members now have a second chance to get a better deal for the cash-strapped city and restore integrity in how it does the public's business.

Mr. Gandhi last week awarded an estimated $37.2 million, five-year contract with options to Intralot. The Greek firm -- selected over current lottery operator GTech and Scientific Games International -- was also Mr. Gandhi's pick in 2008, having won a fair bidding process. But the council refused to approve the contract, objecting to Intralot's local partners and perhaps preferring the political connections of GTech's local partners. This time, Intralot decided to go it alone, even though having a local component brings additional "preference points" in the bid award process.

GTech also is without a local partner, but not by choice. It sought to start up a new local group cynically designed to win it the broadest political support. The group -- which includes allies both of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray -- failed to win official certification in a decision now being appealed. The admirable aim of the District's minority and local set-asides -- to help develop local businesses -- is set on its head when local partners exist mainly to get, not do, business.

That's not to minimize the importance of helping local industry, a fact that Intralot recognized with its pledge to hire a certain percentage of D.C. residents. Intralot's proposal was judged the best in two separate, rigorous procurement processes. In the most recent, Intralot outscored its nearest competitor, GTech, by more than 10 points and was found to be more technologically advanced. Let's hope the council is done playing games and accepts Mr. Gandhi's recommendation.