Article: INSIDE MnDOT; Watchdogs or nitpickers? Two agencies fight it out; The Transportation and Administration departments have a history of feuding over the final say on outside contracts.(NEWS)(INSIDE MnDOT)

Byline: Dan Browning; Pat Doyle; Staff Writers

Second of three parts

On the bookcase next to Gerald Joyce's desk is a cat-litter scoop labeled "In Case of MnDOT."

Joyce is a contract regulator for the state Department of Administration. For more than a decade, he has reviewed efforts by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to hire consultants and expand contracts without seeking competitive bids. His patience ran out long ago.

"The dollar sign at MnDOT means `only,' " he said. "It's only 20 million. Or it's only 10 million."

The Administration Department has final responsibility for most contracts between state ...

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