Report 2018-114 Recommendation 27 Responses

Report 2018-114: Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program: The Departments of General Services and Veterans Affairs Have Failed to Maximize Participation and to Accurately Measure Program Success (Release Date: February 2019)

Recommendation #27 To: Public Health, Department of

To ensure that DVBE participation data are reported accurately and consistently, Public Health should implement or strengthen a review process to ensure that DVBE participation amounts entered into its data systems or FI$Cal are accurate. This review process should include verification, on a sample basis, of the amounts awarded to, and the certification status of, the DVBE contractor or subcontractor for high-value contracts that include DVBE participation.

6-Month Agency Response

CDPH enhanced its Contracts and Purchasing System (CAPS) training for new and current staff, in both Program Support Branch (PSB) and across CDPH Programs, to reiterate the importance of completing all data in CAPS accurately, with an extra focus on subcontracting issues and compliance.

In order to strengthen its secondary review process of procurements, CDPH updated its checklists and routing slips used in the Contracts and Purchasing Services Section (CPSS) for competitive solicitations.

CDPH's Small Business (SB)/DVBE Advocate (the Advocate) provided specific DVBE language to be used in solicitations.

CDPH provides Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) training regarding SB and DVBE participation. The training is presented annually by either the Advocate or training staff from the Policy, Training and Administrative Services Unit. These training materials have been incorporated into the PSB Training Series for programs.

The Advocate runs quarterly reports from CAPS and FI$Cal to verify accuracy and resolve discrepancies with internal staff in order to improve data accuracy in the CAR.

CDPH updated the Purchasing Manual section on SB/DVBE Participation to a more user-friendly chapter based on DGS accreditation requirements.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

60-Day Agency Response

CDPH will enhance its Contracts and Purchasing System (CAPS) training for new and current staff, in both Program Support Branch (PSB) and across CDPH Programs, to reiterate the importance of completing all data in CAPS accurately, with an extra focus on subcontracting issues and compliance. (By 4/30/19)

In order to strengthen its secondary review process of procurements, CDPH will update checklists and routing slips used in the Contracts and Purchasing Services Section (CPSS) for competitive solicitations. (By 4/30/19)

CDPH's Small Business (SB) /DVBE Advocate (the Advocate) will review draft solicitation documentation and provide specific DVBE language to be used in solicitations. (By 5/31/19)

CDPH will annually provide Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) training regarding SB and DVBE participation. The training will be presented by either the Advocate or training staff from the Policy, Training and Administrative Services Unit. These training materials will also be incorporated into the PSB Training Series for programs. (By 6/30/19)

The Advocate will run quarterly reports from CAPS and FI$Cal to verify accuracy and resolve discrepancies with internal staff in order to improve data accuracy in the CAR. (By 6/30/19)

CDPH will update the Purchasing Manual section on SB/DVBE Participation to a more user-friendly chapter based on DGS accreditation requirements. (By 6/30/19)

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2018-114

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.