Review of Hazardous Materials Response Team Procurement Process

In June 2009, the United States Capitol Police (USCP or Department) Office of Inspector General (OIG) received an anonymous complaint alleging an individual in the Hazardous Materials Response Team (HMRT) circumvented the procurement process for sole sourcing high-value purchases for services and supplies. Thus, OIG engaged contract auditors to conduct agreed-upon procedures to determine whether HMRT complied with applicable laws and regulations for procurement procedures regarding the competitive bid process and justifications for sole source solicitations. Our scope included HMRT procurements over $3,500, the threshold for competitive bidding, obligated during fiscal years (FYs) 2007 through 2009.