Bob Anthony Seeks to Ensure OCC Contracting Compliance

At a regular agency meeting last week, the Corporation Commission’s director of administration reported to the Commissioners that the OCC has contracted and continues to contract with vendors “under the existing OMES-established rolling solicitation process.” In her FY2022 Single Audit, the State Auditor and Inspector stated her position unequivocally: “[C]ontracts awarded under the Statewide Contracting pilot programs do not appear to meet State of Oklahoma competitive bidding requirements.” She also called out “an abuse of taxpayer dollars” and said, “This appears to be in violation of both Federal and State law.” In my opinion, this is certainly a problem, especially since the OCC director of administration has indicated that some of OCC’s federal grant dollars are involved with these pilot program contracts.