Page 36 - The Edge - Fall 2020

PROCUREMENT

BY BILL MUNCH, CPPO, CPPB
Procurement Compliance in Our New Reality 2020

Bill Munch

Hello, my fellow AASBO members. I hope this article finds At the Bi-Monthly Webinar on May 13, a ton of information

you well. Our new reality includes an emphasis on living in was given about the CARES Act and much-needed funding
the online world as we cope with trying to remain compliant that has been made available to our schools in Arizona and
with the School District Procurement Rules which demand across the nation. Please be aware that when using CARES
transparency. Act funds you should be following Federal Procurement
guidelines. We know from past historical federal audits around
As the stay-at-home order came down in mid-March and the country, that the feds will not hesitate to recoup funds
many of us began telecommuting, it became apparent that are not spent in compliance with federal requirements.
that solutions were needed to remain compliant with So it is important to follow the federal guidelines for these
public receipt of bids, bid openings and other transparent purchases and all other purchases funded by federal dollars.
requirements of our procurement rules. These challenges
impact public entities throughout the country. The AASBO Now more than ever it is important to embrace every
Rules Committee that includes Michelle Hamilton, Gary procurement tool we have in our toolbox. Cooperative
Barkman, Ken Carter, Lari Staples, Lila McCleery, Claudia purchasing can be one of the most important tools we have.
Leon, Anita McLemore, Kevin Startt and yours truly reached Cooperative contracts that are competitive and meet our
out to the Auditor General and Attorney General asking for due-diligence requirements can allow us to expeditiously

guidance to help school districts remain compliant. make our purchase in an efficient and compliant manner.
1GPA and Mohave are a couple of the co-ops out there
that have done an excellent job of incorporating federal
"Now more than ever it is important requirements into their procurement contracts. Almost all of
their contracts have federal language that could make them
to embrace every procurement tool compliant for CARES Act purchases. Follow the advice of
we have in our toolbox. Cooperative President Reagan and “Trust but verify.”

purchasing can be one of the most As we move forward in our new reality, the challenges
important tools we have." will be many. It will take a team effort to overcome these
challenges. However, these challenges will also breed
ingenuity and opportunities to be more effective in our

Richard Baek with the Office of the Attorney General purchasing compliance efforts. Along with the resources

stepped up and worked with his office to help draft an AG provided by the state, our association can provide support to

opinion that would help guide us. That opinion issued March all of us. I am confident that we, as public school business

23, 2020, can be found at: https://www.azag.gov/opinions/ officials, are up to the challenge and can remain procurement
i20-003. Very quickly after the release of the AG opinion, compliant in our ever-changing world.
the Auditor General sent an email providing procurement
guidance during school closures. That guidance, which Bill Munch, CPPO, CPPB is the Procurement Compliance and Training
includes reference to the AG opinion, has been posted Offi cer for Valley Schools Management Group, recipient of the 2018
in the FAQ section of the Auditor General website at: AASBO Bill Lovett Award, and the 2016 NIGP National Purchasing
https://www.azauditor.gov/reports-publications/school- Manager of the Year. He provides consultation on public procurement
districts/faqs/additional-covid-19-school-closures- matters for school districts and vendors throughout Arizona and across
guidance. Further updates will be posted there as they the country. He may be reached at: bmunch@vsit.org.
become available.

|
36 THE EDGE FALL 2020