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September 28, 2016
  • Community Planning and Development
2016-DE-1005
2016-DE-1005.pdf

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General audited the Wyoming Community Development Authority of Casper, WY, for calendar years 2012-2015.  The audit was initiated based on concerns received from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials from the Office of Community Planning and Development program staff in Denver, CO.  The objectives of the audit were to determine whether the Authority properly procured goods and services with its HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds and whether it used its HOME and NSP funds for eligible travel purposes.

The Authority did not always properly procure goods and services with its HOME and NSP funds and used HOME and NSP funds for unreasonable travel costs.  It did not always (1) ensure open and fair competition when it used a contractor as a sole source for its drug testing and drug remediation when renovating homes, (2) ensure a fair bidding process, and (3) properly complete inspections.  Additionally, employees incurred unreasonable costs while traveling.

We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Denver, CO, Office of Community Planning Development require the Authority to (1) provide support to HUD showing that the Authority received the best value for amounts it spent on drug testing and remediation and all instances when the Authority incorrectly awarded a contract based on an improperly submitted bid; (2) provide support justifying the reasonableness and necessity of all travel to conferences and trainings over the 31-month period reviewed, costs exceeding local per diem rates while on travel, and any weekend travel that occurred; (3) develop and implement detailed policies and procedures for the procurement process regarding inspections, competitive bidding, and sealed bids; (4) develop and implement an official drug testing and drug remediation policy; and (5) develop and implement a travel policy that specifically reflects Federal travel regulations and requires more oversight of the approval of travel authorizations and travel vouchers.