Scope of Study
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for providing facilities and delivering services to state agencies in the areas of planning, designing, constructing, acquiring, managing, and disposing of real property. The department has a staff of approximately 235 and an annual operating budget of about $45 million.
The department leases approximately 2.5 million square feet of space at an annual cost of $30 million. It administers about 230 leases. The leasing function was transferred to the Facilities Management Unit in late-2000. In addition to the facilities unit, the department consists of three other major functions: Risk Management; Technical Resources; and Client Services.
Area of Focus
The purpose of the study is to determine if the Department of Public Works is acquiring and disposing state property in compliance with relevant state laws and regulations and in a manner that effectively and efficiently meets the needs of state agencies.
Areas of Analysis
I. Property Acquisition and Disposition
A. Determine if the policies and procedures followed by the Department of Public Works in purchasing and leasing facilities are in compliance with relevant state laws and regulations and result in the needs of state agencies being met effectively and efficiently.
1. Are facilities purchased and leased in a timely manner?
2. Are the purchasing and leasing prices paid by the Department of Public Works similar to the prices paid by private sector organizations in acquiring like properties?
3. Are the processes followed in purchasing and leasing property open and competitive?
4. Are occupying agencies satisfied with the suitability of the facilities?
B. Determine if the policies and procedures followed by the Department of Public Works in disposing of real property no longer needed by state agencies are in compliance with relevant state laws and regulations and are effective and efficient.
1. Are properties disposed of in a timely manner?
2. Are sale prices obtained by the Department of Public Works similar to prices received by private organizations for the sale of like properties?
3. Are the processes followed in disposing of property open and competitive?
Areas Not Included In Study
The study will not deal with matters associated with designing, constructing, and managing facilities by state agencies authorized to carry on these activities either within DPW or outside the department's jurisdiction.