Story perspectives

Newsom's $6.2M Diaper Deal Skips Bidding, Lawmakers Redirect Funds

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

The 2025 Budget Act placed a $6.2 million Baby2Baby diaper contract with an exemption that bypassed competitive bidding, one of two dozen waivers that avoid bidding rules for $1 billion in programs.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the diaper program in May 2026, showing the contract was awarded without competition.
Lawmakers redirected $7.4 million to diaper banks after the contract lacked a competitive bid.
State officials delayed releasing the contract for 66 days, withholding evaluation criteria.

1 of 1

Story summary

The 2025 Budget Act placed a $6.2 million Baby2Baby diaper contract with an exemption that bypassed competitive bidding, one of two dozen waivers that avoid bidding rules for $1 billion in programs.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the diaper program in May 2026, showing the contract was awarded without competition.
Lawmakers redirected $7.4 million to diaper banks after the contract lacked a competitive bid.
State officials delayed releasing the contract for 66 days, withholding evaluation criteria.