Audit Finds Colorado DOT Contracting Process Inconsistent

“The Colorado Department of Transportation’s increasing use of untraditional contracting approaches for large highway projects has been hampered by problems with how the deals are awarded, negotiated and managed, state auditors found in a recent report.”

Jon Murray reports on the story in The Denver Post, writing that “Critics contend these newer forms of contracting — used for work including the $1.3 billion Central 70 project in Denver and major widening projects on Interstate 25 south and north of metro Denver — favor larger companies, often from out of state, and risk costing taxpayers more.”

For its part, CDOT claims the new contracts save the agency time and money and improve the efficiency of projects. “It lets projects get started earlier than they usually would, and therefore get concluded earlier than they otherwise would. That is where the value is for the public,” said CDOT spokesman Matt Inzeo.

But the audit claims the agency doesn’t follow “sound, consistent and transparent processes” for awarding and carrying out contracts. “The audit also highlighted a case in which an unsuccessful bidder for the $419 million I-25 South Gap project south of Castle Rock was among three firms short-listed and evaluated, despite its proposal missing a required section.”

The agency ultimately agreed with the audit’s recommendations for improving contract oversight and management.