It slipped under the radar, but in March of this year, the Ministry of National Defence and Border security purchased hundreds of military type boots for the BDF from a company called DB Ventures. But, those were a brand called Rothco, not the type preferred by the BDF called Altama.
So, the BDF rejected the boots and the Ministry, which had already given the supplier a down payment and contracted to purchase the Rothco boots tried to send them back. That almost ended up in a law suit - but now indications are that there might be a settlement - which will probably still end up costing taxpayers.
The Commandant of the BDF says he doesn't know a whole lot about that contract - but he does know what kind of boot they use. We spoke to him Via Zoom today:
Jules Vasquez "I'm told there was a lawsuit because somehow the ministry ended up ordering these inferior Rothco boots and then the BDF rejected it. Did someone acquire these Rothco boots and you had to reject it?"
BG Steven Andrew Ortega - Commander, BDF "I don't know if anybody acquired it but we have always just Altama. I know that there is an ongoing case right now which is being managed through the ministry concerning something a lawsuit similar because the vendor didn't provide the Altama boots that we had asked for but that is in the courts right now, so I can't speak on it and it is being managed through the ministry but we have never accepted anything less than Altama since I've been commander. We have always stressed to our ministry and they have always supported us that what we ask for in terms of brand is what we get because those have been proven that yes, this works for us. Since I've been in, I've done all the patrols basically in the BDF and I know when you get inferior equipment the hardships you have to endure while out there, so I will never ever allow my soldiers to endure that hardship that happened some years ago to be out there with inferior quality material equipment because it does takes it toll on you. If you're going out to patrol and before you get to your location your boot is gone, what do you do now?"
The company that imported the Rotcho boots reportedly still has the boots - and is trying to arrive at a settlement with the Ministry.
