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Lawmakers press DRC on single-source training contracts and out-of-state suppliers; board approves DRC items
Summary
Senators questioned the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction about single-source lock-and-key parts and a CPR training materials policy that uses a named vendor; department said the lock parts are single-source for legacy systems and CPR materials were embedded in a 2009 policy to standardize training.
The State Controlling Board approved three Department of Rehabilitation and Correction items (items 3, 31 and 32) after lawmakers questioned procurement choices and training-policy practices.
Senator Wilkin asked why lock-and-key supplies and CPR/first-aid materials were being procured from out-of-state vendors rather than local firms. "They're not huge amounts of money, but they're both out of state, and they seem like things we could probably find here in state," he said. Joe Gruber, DRC's chief legislative officer, said the lock-and-key items are "parts for existing systems" that require single-source replacement parts and that the CPR materials are "booklets and training materials" tied to an internal policy intended to streamline medical response training across custody and medical personnel.
Senator Ingram pressed whether the department policy actually mandates a specific vendor. Gruber said the policy historically specified the American Safety and Health Institute as the provider "in order to streamline our operations," noting the policy dates to about 2009, and that the department would evaluate alternatives and potentially bid the work in the future. "Moving forward it's something that we can certainly evaluate and come back," he told the board.
Several members registered objections to the items on procurement grounds but the board approved the requests. Board members suggested DRC return with an evaluation that considers competitive bids and potential use of in-state suppliers.
What happens next: DRC will follow up with the board on vendor options and whether current policies should be amended to permit competitive bidding for standardized training materials.
