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After auditors flag flaws, Broward board rejects major construction RFQ and orders review
Summary
An audit found procedure and documentation problems in an RFQ for program/construction management. The board voted to reject the qualification statements, ordered policy review, and directed staff to pursue emergency options to avoid a gap in program management.
The School Board of Broward County voted on Tuesday to reject all qualification statements for RFQ 26059, a multiyear solicitation for program/construction management services, after an internal audit identified material procedural issues and possible conflicts with state procurement rules.
The chief auditor’s follow‑up review identified three principal concerns: a financial‑ratio threshold in the solicitation that effectively constrained competition, incomplete evidence presented to the qualifications committee (CUSAC), and post‑selection procedural changes including waiving of scoring and ranking without documentation. Auditors recommended rejecting the submissions and tightening policy language.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn told the board he was recommending rejection “based on the auditor’s report” and said staff will pursue corrective steps including a review of procurement procedures and accountability measures. General counsel and the superintendent recommended rejecting the qualification statements because the problems were substantive and not correctable by reconvening the committee.
Vendors and outside counsel urged an alternative: reconvene the qualifications committee, complete scoring, and bring a selection recommendation to the board. Jacobs and other proposers told the board they had invested substantial time and expected their proposals to be fairly evaluated.
The board voted to reject all qualification submissions and directed staff to research alternative strategies. Those alternatives include (1) invoking an emergency procurement declaration to maintain continuity of services with the incumbent program manager (AECOM) while re‑procurement proceeds; and (2) redesigning the RFQ with outside consultant support before rereleasing it. The superintendent was asked to report back with a remediation plan by an expedited date and to present that plan at a special meeting in early January.
The board also asked to revise Board Policy 7003 (procurement forms and approval) to clarify when draft solicitations must be brought to the board for review; the motion to bring Policy 7003 back for board consideration passed unanimously.
Quote: “This is a self‑inflicted wound,” said Board Member Alan Cervera during debate, describing the statutory and public‑trust risks exposed by the audit. “We need accountability.”
Outcome: board approved superintendent’s recommendation to reject the qualification statements; directed staff to pursue emergency coverage and bring a remediation plan to a special meeting; voted to send Policy 7003 back for review.
Next steps: staff will examine emergency contract options to ensure no interruption of program management services and engage external support to redesign the procurement and strengthen policy and controls.
