Broward Schools Face Construction Setback Amid Procurement Issues

The Broward School District’s attempts to secure outside management for its construction program have faltered, according to a recent audit. This development raises concerns over the management of more than 100 ongoing school projects, which are already facing significant delays. Superintendent Howard Hepburn plans to request a vote from the School Board to reject all current bids from companies aiming to manage these construction efforts.

The audit, conducted by Chief Auditor John Rhodes, highlighted a series of problems with the procurement process that may have impacted the selection of qualified vendors. District spokesman John Sullivan stated that the report revealed “deviations from established procedures” during the bidding process. As a result, Hepburn is reviewing the report to identify corrective actions to enhance oversight and compliance with district policy and state law.

In light of these findings, the School Board is contemplating emergency measures to address ongoing issues in the construction program, which has suffered from years of delays and budget overruns. The audit noted that district staff selected vendors without verifying their qualifications and initiated a hurried process that could have negatively influenced vendor participation.

The audit report indicated that “planning deficiencies led to a heightened sense of urgency” which may have resulted in procedural irregularities. This included unclear solicitation language that confused potential vendors. The district had been seeking vendors to assist with approximately 100 projects stemming from the 2014 SMART bond referendum and other initiatives, including a replacement building for Rickards Middle School, which experienced a roof collapse in 2021.

This situation is not new for the district. A statewide grand jury report released in 2022 focused heavily on the management of the SMART bond referendum, leading to the removal of four School Board members by Governor Ron DeSantis. The grand jury cited a nine-month delay in appointing a program manager due to irregularities in the bidding process.

Officials from the Broward School District have indicated a need for external expertise, stating that their facilities department lacks sufficient personnel with the necessary qualifications. The district has previously engaged two program managers over the past decade: CBRE Heery from 2015 to 2020 and AECOM from 2020 onward. AECOM’s contract is set to expire on January 17, 2026, and district lawyers have advised that extensions are generally not permissible, necessitating a competitive bidding process for any replacement vendor.

Assistant General Counsel Tom Cooney emphasized the importance of adhering to competitive procurement standards during a School Board meeting. He noted that altering the terms now could lead to complications, as potential bidders may have approached the process differently had they known about the possibility of extended contracts.

Board member Allen Zeman expressed urgency regarding the situation, suggesting that the district might not complete a competitive bidding process before AECOM’s contract expires. He proposed an emergency one-year extension to ensure continuity in project management. Zeman stated, “We have to look really hard at our ability to build anything,” advocating for a temporary solution to facilitate progress on as many projects as possible.

The audit findings prompted several School Board members to seek further inquiry into the vendor selection process. Hepburn assured members that he would collaborate with the chief auditor and provide all relevant documentation to investigators, emphasizing the commitment to transparency and accountability.

Concerns were previously raised in April regarding the potential challenges posed by AECOM’s impending contract expiration, especially if a vendor protest emerged during the bidding process. Such a protest could delay awarding a new contract until resolved, further complicating the district’s construction timeline.

Despite assurances from Chief Operating Officer Wanda Paul that there was sufficient time to address potential issues, Board member Sarah Leonardi remained skeptical. She warned against complacency and emphasized the need for proactive planning.

At a subsequent meeting, Jennifer Andreu, executive director of procurement, indicated plans to advertise the solicitation in June, aiming to present it to the School Board for approval in August. However, the audit revealed that the district failed to bring the solicitation to the board for review before it went out to bid on August 6.

The discrepancies in the solicitation documents—which alternately stated a need for “no less than two” vendors and a cap of only two—also raised concerns about vendor participation. The audit concluded that the inconsistent language might have deterred smaller firms from bidding. Ultimately, three vendors submitted proposals: AECOM, Jacobs, and EXP. However, none met the financial requirements stipulated by the district.

The audit revealed troubling practices within the district’s Qualification Selection Evaluation Committee (QSEC), which is responsible for evaluating vendor submissions. The committee’s decision to negotiate with all three vendors without a thorough evaluation of their qualifications has raised serious concerns.

As the Broward School District navigates these challenges, Sullivan confirmed that the district is exploring interim operational options to ensure ongoing construction projects continue without disruption. This initiative reflects the Superintendent’s commitment to uphold the integrity of the district’s procurement processes while addressing pressing needs in the construction program.