Fremont, CA asked in Government Contracts and Gov & Administrative Law for California

Q: Where to report a california public agency for violating sole source public contracting code?

2 Lawyer Answers
James L. Arrasmith
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A: In California, if you believe a public agency has violated the public contracting code, especially regarding sole source contracts, you can take several steps:

Local Level: Begin by reporting the potential violation to the agency's internal audit or oversight body. Many agencies have a designated person or department that reviews complaints.

County Level: If the agency in question is a city or a smaller entity, you might consider reporting it to the county's oversight or auditing body.

State Level: Report the violation to the California State Controller's Office. They have an oversight role for public finances in the state, which includes contracting.

District Attorney: Depending on the nature of the violation, you could report the incident to the local District Attorney's office. They have the authority to investigate and prosecute violations of state law, including those related to public contracts.

State Auditor: The California State Auditor can also investigate claims of inappropriate governmental activity, including violations of the Public Contract Code.

Public Feedback: Many California public agencies have public meetings, such as city council or board meetings. These meetings often allow for public comments where concerns can be raised.

Legal Action: If you believe there's a clear violation and it's not being addressed, consider seeking legal counsel to explore options for litigation.

Whistleblower Protections: If you're an employee or insider, be aware that California provides whistleblower protections to those who report violations of state laws by public entities.

A: Their procurement division might have compliance oversight personnel, depending on the size of the agency. Good luck

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