2006
Summary
Oregon Department of Transportation:
Office of Project Delivery Investigation Report No. 2006-34
Purpose
The purpose of our
investigation was to follow up on allegations regarding violation of
the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Conflict of Interest
Policy and questionable management decisions relating to contracting
practices within the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Office of
Project Delivery (OPD).
Background
The Oregon Department
of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for overseeing the Oregon
Transportation Investment Act (OTIA) III State Bridge Delivery
Program, with the objective of managing $1.3 billion to improve the
deteriorating condition of the state’s transportation
infrastructure. ODOT assigned the management responsibilities of
OTIA III to its Office of Project Delivery (OPD). OPD has the
authority to initiate, develop, approve, and implement solicitations
and contracts necessary to support OTIA III program delivery
priorities.
Results in Brief
Our investigation at
OPD substantiated allegations regarding violation of ODOT’s Conflict
of Interest Policy and allegations surrounding questionable
management decisions relating to a request for proposal.
As a result, ODOT is
less able to ensure compliance with fair contracting practices.
Specifically, we found that an ODOT manager violated ODOT’s Conflict
of Interest Policy, PER 01-02-02, by not avoiding actions that
created the appearance of using one’s position for personal gain or
private benefit. We found that this manager was employed by the same
firm prior and subsequent to being employed at ODOT and that the
manager may have given preferential treatment to the firm while
working for ODOT.
We also found that OPD
management did not justify its discretionary action of allowing a
request for proposal to go forward despite ODOT procurement managers
and legal advice stating that the request included numerous flaws.
