Frostburg faulted for failing to bid out new building

FROSTBURG — The University System of Maryland and the state Office of Legislative Audits are asking the State Ethics Board to review Frostburg State University’s failure to seek competitive bids for a $2 million Sustainable Energy Research Facility that opened last year.

The Cumberland Times-News reported Thursday on an audit that found the school chose a construction site that required it to use a certain developer rather than allowing a competitive bid process.

The audit also found that a member of a school advisory board was associated with the developer and general contractor. The auditors say their relationship should be reviewed by the ethics commission for a possible conflict of interest.

The University System of Maryland says it agrees with the findings, including a referral to the ethics commission.