An internal audit recommends that the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) tighten oversight of its parts management contract with NAPA, a Genuine Parts Company subsidiary.

DCAS entered into a five-year parts management contract with NAPA in 2013. NAPA is contracted to operate on-site storerooms, supply parts for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, and provide parts inventory management services for six agencies.

Auditors stated that DCAS does not monitor the timeliness of NAPA’s delivery of requested items, NAPA’s delivery times consistently fell short of its contractual obligations, DCAS does not ensure that parts are adequately categorized in accordance with the contract, and DCAS does not review invoices to ensure that NAPA is billing parts appropriately.

DCAS agreed with the 10 recommendations directed to the department but disagreed with a number of the audit’s findings. In a memo to the deputy comptroller for audits, the DCAS commissioner defended the DCAS’ use of the parts management contract, stating, “While we differ with some of these findings, we agree that 95% of parts under this contract are delivered on the same day. This is well beyond anything that has been achieved in the previous model.”

The audit also focused on the Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) duties in relation to NAPA, determining that DSNY has adequate oversight over and fulfills its responsibilities related to NAPA’s performance of the contract. DSNY generally agreed with the findings and the four recommendations issued to the department.

The full audit and responses can be found here.