Audit: BPA wasted $5.2M on nixed software

PORTLAND — A federal audit says the Bonneville Power Administration spent millions on hiring software that was later replaced.

An audit released by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Inspector General says $5.2 million was wasted on hiring software that the Portland-based power marketing agency stopped using in June 2014, the Oregonian reported.

Tacoma-based Avue Technologies was contracted to provide the software in 2012. Chief executive Linda Rix said the audit was “flat out inaccurate.”

“We had the thought that maybe this was a form of retaliation,” Rix said. “It’s not dissimilar from the other report in that it is not well researched or well founded. I’m not sure this is directed as much at us as it is the procurement function within BPA.”

Avue criticized a 2013 Inspector General investigation into complaints that said Bonneville was discouraging hiring veterans.

Bonneville Power officials say they did not commission Avue’s analysis of that investigation, and administrator Elliot Mainzer said in a statement responding to the recent audit the agency is implementing changes.

“We are committed to addressing the remaining weaknesses in our procurement practices and establishing first rate purchasing procedures and IT program management, which are critical to maintaining the region’s trust to carry out its mission,” Mainzer said.