Audit of the Department of Family and Support Services’ Strategic Contracting

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit of the Department of Family and Support Services’ (DFSS) Strategic Contracting process for selecting delegate agencies. The objective of the audit was to determine whether DFSS’ contracting processes align with outcomes-based goals and the Department’s internal framework known as the Commitment to Outcomes, of which its Strategic Contracting process is a part. OIG concluded that DFSS’ Strategic Planning and Impact division’s involvement in developing requests for proposal (RFPs) and evaluation tools—critical steps in the Strategic Contracting process—helps align those steps with the Commitment to Outcomes. However, OIG also determined that there is room for improvement.OIG concluded that DFSS largely applies its Strategic Contracting process in accordance with the Commitment to Outcomes, but that there is room for improvement. That is, DFSS could more thoroughly apply its Commitment to Outcomes to maximize its effectiveness in improving outcomes.