COR3 sets new standard procedure for disbursement processes

By John McPhaul

jpmcphaul@gmail.com

Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience (COR3) Executive Director Manuel A. Laboy Rivera announced on Wednesday the establishment of a uniform operating procedure (SOP by its Spanish acronym) for the processes sub-recipients must follow when requesting refunds and advances.

The new policy fulfills COR3’s commitment to achieve greater efficiency in the processes related to disbursements, the official said.

“This SOP is a commitment that we made with the mayors,” Laboy Rivera said. “It consists of a guide to determine which template to use and what information is necessary to obtain to develop the cost analysis without the need to incur additional expenses for hiring certain professional services. Also, it can be used as a method to document the decisions made when choosing the bidder to whom the contract will be awarded. In addition, it serves as a tool to standardize and include the cost analysis within the acquisition process of each sub-recipient.”

Also through the document, which is already in force, a cost or price analysis is conducted, which is used as a tool to demonstrate that a fair and reasonable acquisition took place in the event that the contracting process does not have enough bidders.

“At COR3 we are available to listen to the suggestions of the sub-recipients and accept them, as long as they comply with the laws, as well as with state and federal requirements,” Laboy Rivera said. “In the coming weeks, we will announce other adjustments in processes related to disbursements that will provide greater tools for improving the flow of money and that will promote the advancement of reconstruction projects.”