Post by Logan on Jun 10, 2016 5:22:13 GMT -6
Latest I.G. Audit Says St. Croix-Based Law Firm Made $17.9 Million On Government Because Of D.O.J.’s Lack Of Oversight
The O.I.G. said in its report that the manner in which the contract was awarded to the Dema law firm was “questionable from the inception” when the [then-Department of Planning and Natural Resources] Commissioner Dean Plaskett, who the report did not name, submitted the August 16, 2003, letter requesting the sole source contract.
“The Code and the Rules and Regulations do allow circumstances for sole source contracting; however, sufficient justification must be provided to show that the proposed contractor is the only one capable of providing the desired services. In addition, the Code establishes the [Department of Property and Procurement] commissioner as the only authorized contracting official for the executive branch and contract negotiations are still required to be done by the D.P.P. commissioner,” reads the report.
According to the O.I.G., Mr. Plaskett’s statement in the August 16, 2003 letter which says that the Dema law firm was “… the only firm in the Virgin Islands, or elsewhere…” capable of providing the services is highly suspect.
“It is difficult to believe that this contractor was the only firm in the Virgin Islands or the entire United States capable or willing to provide the necessary legal advice sought by D.P.N.R. At a minimum, proposals from other legal firms should have been obtained. Government officials are duty bound to always protect the interest of the government and people of the Virgin Islands and to get the best price for the government. What better way than inducing competition for the services sought?”
Read more: viconsortium.com/business/latest-i-g-audit-says-st-croix-based-law-firm-made-17-9-million-on-government-because-of-d-o-j-s-lack-of-oversight/
The O.I.G. said in its report that the manner in which the contract was awarded to the Dema law firm was “questionable from the inception” when the [then-Department of Planning and Natural Resources] Commissioner Dean Plaskett, who the report did not name, submitted the August 16, 2003, letter requesting the sole source contract.
“The Code and the Rules and Regulations do allow circumstances for sole source contracting; however, sufficient justification must be provided to show that the proposed contractor is the only one capable of providing the desired services. In addition, the Code establishes the [Department of Property and Procurement] commissioner as the only authorized contracting official for the executive branch and contract negotiations are still required to be done by the D.P.P. commissioner,” reads the report.
According to the O.I.G., Mr. Plaskett’s statement in the August 16, 2003 letter which says that the Dema law firm was “… the only firm in the Virgin Islands, or elsewhere…” capable of providing the services is highly suspect.
“It is difficult to believe that this contractor was the only firm in the Virgin Islands or the entire United States capable or willing to provide the necessary legal advice sought by D.P.N.R. At a minimum, proposals from other legal firms should have been obtained. Government officials are duty bound to always protect the interest of the government and people of the Virgin Islands and to get the best price for the government. What better way than inducing competition for the services sought?”
Read more: viconsortium.com/business/latest-i-g-audit-says-st-croix-based-law-firm-made-17-9-million-on-government-because-of-d-o-j-s-lack-of-oversight/