Joint interim committee reviews dozens of state contracts, holds College Board AP item and flags submission problems

A joint interim committee of the Alabama Legislature on Tuesday reviewed more than 40 contract submissions and amendments from state agencies, placing several items on hold and questioning vendors’ costs and recurring procurement submission errors.

The meeting, led by Chairman Roberts, covered contract amendments and new procurements from agencies including the departments of Education, Human Resources, Revenue, Mental Health and others. Committee members held at least one high‑profile item — the Department of Education’s contract with the College Board for Advanced Placement (AP) services — and asked for more information on multiple other contracts before taking final action.

Committee context and why it matters

The panel scrutinized both routine contract extensions and larger procurements. Members flagged persistent submission errors on public‑bid records, questioned the cost and sole‑source justification for a College Board AP contract, and pushed back on the price for a six‑month Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) vendor for a summer nutrition program. Several agencies said proposed work responds to federal or state reporting or regulatory obligations.

Most important actions and discussion

- College Board/AP: Tina Hammons of the Department of Education told the committee that the College Board is the “sole source provider for advanced placement, AP, trademark exams” and that the contract covers exam preparation, teacher resources and exam fee reductions for eligible students. A committee member asked to carry (hold) the item and obtain additional information offline; the committee agreed to hold the contract for further review.

- EBT/summer program: Jennifer Bush of the Department of Human Resources presented a roughly $5,000,000 six‑month contract with Creative Information Technology Inc. to operate an online portal and administer the summer EBT customer service and administrative functions. Multiple committee members expressed concern about the cost for a six‑month contract and asked for an executive summary of vendor deliverables; Bush said she would provide documentation to members.

- Emergency management contingency contracts: Nanny Reed (Emergency Management) reported two contingency renewal amendments — a Wood O’Brien agreement and a WSP contract — each capped at up to $12,000,000 for recovery augmentation or contingency response. Reed said the agencies will re‑RFP next year.

- Revenue property‑tax data portal: Mary Martin Mitchell of the Department of Revenue presented a $5,475,000 contract with C3 AI to create an online portal that will ingest county property and GIS data across Alabama’s 67 counties for analysis tied to a property‑tax cap enacted last year. Committee members noted a follow‑up implementation meeting was scheduled.

- Mental‑health data platform: ADMH (mental health) presented a new contract with Netsmart Technologies to create a statewide data platform for certified community behavioral health clinics. Shalonda Rogers, director of the program, said the platform will ingest electronic health record data so the state can meet federal demonstration reporting requirements with CMS and SAMHSA. Presenters said two clinics (AltaPointe and Wellstone in Huntsville) currently participate, with additional providers planned.

- PFAS and environmental monitoring: Russell Kelly of the Department of Environmental Management said PACE Analytical was contracted to perform PFAS testing and whole effluent toxicity monitoring to meet EPA requirements; committee members had no further questions listed in the record.

- Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) facility audit: Dudley Perry and Leah Walker from the Department of Youth Services described a “pre‑audit” tied to the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) that examines facility compliance; a committee member clarified this is a facility audit and not a financial audit.

Recurring procurement issues

Multiple presenters acknowledged submission errors, incomplete governor’s questions and initial rejections on the procurement portal. Committee members expressed frustration with vendors and agency staff about “ping‑ponging” submissions and asked agencies to resolve outstanding paperwork before resubmission. Chairman Roberts and staff said several items would be carried/held while agencies correct records or provide requested clarifications.

Other notable contracts and items

- Early Childhood Education: Amanda Sanford said a contract with Clairs Consulting Group for $269,812 in state funds will support a needs assessment, an update to the strategic plan, leadership development and coaching through Dec. 31, 2025. - DHR legal services and other routine extensions: Multiple agencies presented legal‑services or no‑cost time extensions, including the Forestry Commission, Historical Commission and others; those items were presented with minimal debate.

What the committee directed next

Committee members requested additional written material and offline briefings on several contracts, and the College Board AP item was specifically carried for further information. Agencies were asked to correct procurement submission errors and to provide executive summaries or deliverable lists for large contracts prior to final committee action.

The committee adjourned after members confirmed follow‑up meetings and said they would revisit the held items at a subsequent session.