COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

April 13, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 20, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen D. Borland, Director, Human Services Agency

Steve Cervantes, Director, Office of Housing

SUBJECT:

Resolution No. 619-C Adopting HUD Required Revisions to Housing Authority Procurement Policy

Recommendation

Acting as the Board of Commissioners adopt Resolution No. 619-C which revises the Housing Authority's Procurement Policy to comply with the request of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Background

In February 1997, the Board adopted Resolution No. 565-C which approved a Housing Authority Procurement Policy. The Procurement Policy was prepared in accordance with the Procurement Handbook issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In a recent audit of the Housing Authority, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) commented that the Procurement Policy needed some revisions to strengthen certain areas. Although the Procurement Policy met all essential requirements, the OIG felt that certain improvements were needed. The Procurement Policy presented for adoption at this time incorporates all changes noted by the OIG auditors as well as other regulatory changes.

The revisions include:

1.

A more detailed description of the creation of a cost and price analysis and how it should be utilized with certain methods of procurement.

2.

The types of HUD approved contracts and contract clauses required by regulations.

3.

A section on ethics in public procurement and the potential conflict of interest.

Adoption of this Procurement Policy will allow the Housing Authority to comply with the HUD's and the OIG's request.

Discussion

The proposed revisions to the existing Procurement Policy are required by HUD to meet regulatory compliance standards. The Resolution has been reviewed and approved as to form by the County Counsel's office.

Vision Alignment

The Housing Authority's Procurement Policy keeps the commitment of: Offering a full range of housing choices and goal #9 - Housing exists for people at all income levels and for all generations of families by informing San Mateo County residents of the housing programs available to them.

Fiscal Impact

None. There is no Net County Cost associated with the adoption of this Resolution. The resources affected by the revisions to the Procurement Policy are provided by HUD to the Housing Authority on an annual basis.