The City of Richmond has taken significant steps to reset its purchasing card (p-card) program. Following an initial announcement on April 30, the Department of Procurement Services (DPS) has reduced active p-cards by 79%, from 320 to 67.
In the coming months, DPS will work on reevaluating and redesigning the p-card system. This process aligns with recommendations from a city audit and an independent review by the Institute for Public Procurement (NIGP). The objective is to revise procurement policies and train staff on proper implementation and usage.
During this transition phase, specific guidelines have been established:
– P-card purchases are limited to situations where public health, safety, or critical services would be affected if not allowed, or where no other payment option is available.
– Travel-related expenses must adhere to the existing travel advance/reimbursement policy.
– Purchases from Amazon are prohibited.
– Food purchases are restricted except for mission-critical programs such as summer food initiatives or after-school programs.
– Department directors will not receive p-cards, enabling them to concentrate on approving purchases.
The City of Richmond intends to keep the public informed about developments in creating a new p-card infrastructure.
