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The Golden State Start diaper program just went from feel-good policy to full political stink. This week the state quietly posted the long‑sought Baby2Baby contract and a watchdog group asked the California State Auditor to open an investigation. The new documents raise real questions about how the deal was awarded and who benefited.
What happened: contract posted, audit requested
The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) finally made Agreement #25‑26096 public this week. The document shows Baby2Baby was hired to run the diaper program for a total not to exceed $6,200,000 in Year 1. After the contract was posted, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) asked California State Auditor Grant Parks to probe the award. FACT said the deal looks like favoritism and lacks transparency.
What the contract actually shows
The contract calls for Baby2Baby to provide 400 diapers per eligible newborn and to manage buying, warehousing and hospital distribution. HCAI says it ran a Request for Information that drew 15 responses and chose Baby2Baby for capacity reasons. But the contract itself cites a Budget Act exemption and state records label the award “NON‑COMPETITIVELY BID.” In plain English: the usual competitive rules and oversight were waived.
Numbers that matter
The Year‑1 cap is $6.2 million and the contract targets up to about 40 million diapers — roughly a quarter of California births. Reporters and records also show larger budget actions that fund the program across years, which is why the effort is sometimes described as a roughly $20 million initiative. Those larger budget moves make the procurement path and oversight even more important for taxpayers to see.
Why the public should care
This isn’t just about diapers. It’s about process and trust. Baby2Baby’s co‑CEO Norah Weinstein is listed on the board of a nonprofit co‑founded by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. That close tie creates a clear appearance problem, especially when the award was handled under an exemption and records were slow to appear. Delayed disclosures and a “late‑Friday” posting do not inspire confidence. As FACT put it, government contracts must be “fair, transparent, and accountable to taxpayers.”
What should happen next
State Auditor Grant Parks should take FACT’s request seriously and open an independent review. Journalists and watchdogs should get a full procurement packet, vendor evaluations, and a clear explanation for the Budget Act exemption. If the program is delivering diapers well, shine a light on that. If the award skipped proper oversight to favor connected nonprofits, fix the process and hold people to account. Californians deserve clean government — not just clean babies.
