A streamlined procurement code will save taxpayers time, money

Broward County is one of the largest purchasers of goods and services in the Southeastern United States. From large dollar infrastructure projects, to basic purchases by one of our business agencies, the county, with its multi-billion dollar budget, has a huge opportunity to stimulate local economic development.

The rules concerning these transactions are laid out by the procurement code. This past year alone, the county participated in over 33,000 different procurements. The complexity in dealing with layers of rules and regulations gives some pause in deciding whether to do business with the county. The difficulty with the process adds layers of costs and time. The delays and costs ultimately get passed on to taxpayers.

Over the last few months, working with the Broward County purchasing staff, the County Attorneys office and the County Auditor, our office did an extensive review of the purchasing process. Together we found ways to streamline the process making it quicker, more efficient and fairer.

Many provisions of the code have not been updated in years. By modestly adjusting certain numeric thresholds, the time on basic purchases will be reduced. Straightforward and noncontroversial bids will be expedited and streamlined. Minor changes here are enough to shave months off the process. This will make it easier for local small businesses to participate and saves taxpayer dollars.

For the more complicated procurements requiring full-blown presentations and selection committees, basic elements of fairness were addressed and updated. Companies looking to do business with the county should be afforded the opportunity to fairly present their case. Presentations should be thorough, in compliance with the law and award calculations should be fair, transparent and properly justified. Modifications proposed will help ensure a higher level of fairness and transparency. Finally, if there are any contestable issues the protest process sets forth a full, fair review by an impartial hearing officer.

This past week, we discussed these improvements at the Broward County Commission workshop. The process of streamlining and updating our county procurement rules and procedures are underway. County purchasing staff will start putting them into action and we can track the results.

These commonsense, efficient updates should lead to cost savings, more local small business participation and a level playing field.

Many provisions of the code have not been updated in years.