Since July 1, 1989, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), formerly the State Highway Department, has utilized its own engineers to design 437 projects and has awarded twenty-seven engineering design services contracts totalling $5,417,626 to private-sector engineers. MDOT awarded ten of these contracts (37%), totalling $2,987,253, to out-of-state engineering firms.
Although MDOT has complied with federal regulations concerning procurement of engineering services, it has not complied with MISS. CODE ANN. Section 73-13-45 (1972) in four of the ten contracts awarded to out-of-state engineering firms. In addition, MDOT’s Internal Auditor serves on the Consultant Selection Committee, which is inconsistent with internal audit standards.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.