Cluster Name: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Assistance listing numbers and program names 84.425U COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund – American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSER) Agency: Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Name of contac...
Cluster Name: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Assistance listing numbers and program names 84.425U COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund – American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSER) Agency: Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Name of contact person and title: Braulio Garcia, Chief Procurement Officer Anticipated completion date: June 2026 Agency’s Response: Concur 1. Follow federal regulation, State law, and the Arizona Procurement Code for procurements related to federal grant awards. ADE will conduct all procurements related to federal grant awards in compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, State law, and the Arizona Procurement Code, using the same policies and procedures applied to non-federal funds, as required by federal regulations. ADE will ensure appropriate procurement methods are used and documentation is maintained. Competition Impracticable (CI) procurements will require prior review and approval by the State Procurement Office (SPO) before implementation, and ADE procurement staff will consult with the SPO as needed for technical assistance to ensure ongoing compliance. Implementation is ongoing and monitored through procurement file reviews and established internal controls. 2. Update and implement policies and procedures and responsible employees to use competitive procurement methods or otherwise obtain approval from the State Procurement Officer and to prepare written determinations for exceptions to using competitive procurement methods, such as noncompetitive waivers, when purchasing goods and services from third-party vendors. ADE Procurement is currently updating internal policies and procedures, which shall be implemented by June 30, 2026, to ensure appropriate procurement employees consistently use competitive procurement methods or obtain prior approval from the State Procurement Office (SPO) when exceptions apply. The updated procedures will require written determinations and justifications, such as a Competition Impracticable (CI), for all exceptions to competition and will clearly define responsibilities and approval requirements when purchasing goods and services from third-party vendors. Procurement staff will follow the revised procedures for all applicable procurements, and compliance will be monitored through procurement file reviews and established internal controls.