Buildproof Works for the Department of Energy (DOE) Weather Assistance Program (WAP)

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Buildproof Works for the Department of Energy (DOE) Weather Assistance Program (WAP)

Date Added: July 27, 2009 08:37:56 PM

Author: Nick Norris

Category: Construction: General Contractors

The Need: The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides for a dramatic increase in funding for the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Introduced in 1976 to provide assistance to low income families to make their homes more energy efficient, WAP funding will increase 20 times, from $227 million in 2008 to $4.7 billion for 2009-2010. Named “the largest weatherization program in history” by the Obama administration, the increase in WAP funding is designed to achieve three objectives: (1) help conserve energy; (2) reduce utility bills for low income families; (3) and provide stimulus to local economies. Significant concerns have arisen about the ability of DOE and state governments to allocate the funds and provide sufficient oversight, based on the results of past audits, the sheer amount of funds and the structure of the distribution process. WAP funds are distributed by DOE to state governments, which in turn distribute the funds to more than 900 community action agencies who hire the contractors and provide “on the ground” oversight. Over the past four years, auditors have reported significant management and oversight problems in many states. States themselves are concerned about their ability to execute. For example, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell said that his state initially “has no clue how to ramp up” the program. Sen. Tom Cobum, R-Okla, said, “When you throw 20 times as much money at this program, you’re going to lose 20%-30% of it to fraud.” Gil Sperling, head of the program at DOE, says that DOE will require states to file detailed spending plans and will be holding back half of the funding until recipients show they’re properly using the money. Inefficient management and oversight methods risk jeopardizing the ability of states to rapidly and efficiently utilize WAP funds, thus at best delaying and at worst jeopardizing entirely the impact of the stimulus money. The first step to improving oversight and greater accountability and transparency should be to centralize and digitize information systems. The Solution: Buildproof is a web-based application which provides online contract and project management, secure payment and communication tools to manage construction and related services contracts. Buildproof can help State and local governments and community action agencies maximize the timely and effective use of WAP funds through key features that can be customized to meet the specific approach of a particular government or community entity. Buildproof’s intuitive, simple-to-use, web-based platform enables agencies to set-up weatherization projects within minutes, based on any number of different project “milestones” and any number of contractors responsible for reaching those milestones. On-line access will significantly reduce the paperwork burden on contractors. Mobile or computer technology enables “on-the-fly” real-time entry of data on work progress by contractors actually on-site. Buildproof’s communication tools provide weatherization program managers with integrated email contact with contractors, notification of completed milestones via email, and alerts of missed milestones. Contractors can also provide additional real-time information, including uploading of photos and videos of problem areas or completed work. On-line access to data allows inspectors to rapidly and efficiently schedule and conduct inspections with contractors, and the results of inspections can be entered, giving a “scorecard” on each individual contractor. (Note: Buildproof can provide contractors with all necessary technology and training to use the Buildproof system). After successfully inspecting, Buildproof’s secure payment system expedites disbursement of payment to contractors for completed work, enabling transfer even from the job site, via direct transfer into a contractor’s bank account, easing financial burdens on contractors and reducing administrative costs while also preventing waste and abuse. “Dashboard” style and other real-time reports provide an instant, real-time “common operating picture” on all aspects of a particular project and across multiple projects. Project managers can immediately identify problem areas and underperforming contractors in real-time, enabling rapid, targeted, corrective action to keep critical work on schedule and on budget. Buildproof also provides the tools and processes that ensure that State and Local government authorities can meet the rigorous reporting requirements associated with Federal ARRA funds.

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