Request an AI Bias Audit - Fayetteville Bylaw Guide
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, city staff, vendors, and residents can request an AI bias audit for municipal tools used in decision-making, service delivery, or public-facing systems. This guide explains which city offices to contact, the likely legal bases and procurement routes, and practical steps to submit a request so the city can review algorithms, data practices, or vendor deliverables.
Who handles AI audits for city tools
The primary contacts for an AI bias audit request are the City Information Technology Department and the Finance/Procurement Division. Use the city IT page to describe technical concerns and the procurement page if the audit relates to a vendor contract or procurement requirement: City IT[2] and Finance - Procurement[1]. If you need legal or ordinance context for authority, consult the City Code of Ordinances: Fayetteville Code of Ordinances[3].
What to include in a request
- Identify the specific system, vendor and version, and the decision outcomes you are concerned about.
- Provide dates of observed issues and any sample records or redacted outputs that illustrate bias concerns.
- Attach contracts, statements of work, model documentation, or data-sharing agreements if available.
- List a primary contact for follow-up from city staff.
Penalties & Enforcement
There is no Fayetteville-specific ordinance that expressly requires public AI bias audits as of the cited code and department pages; specific monetary fines or statutory penalties for failing to perform an AI bias audit are not specified on the cited pages.[3] Enforcement of procurement, contract compliance, and data/privacy obligations typically rests with the Finance/Procurement Division and the Information Technology Department for technical compliance. For contract breaches or procurement noncompliance, remedies are governed by procurement policies and contract terms referenced on the Procurement page; where exact fine amounts, escalation formulas, or statutory penalties are not published, they are not specified on the cited pages.[1]
Escalation, sanctions and appeals
- Monetary fines or liquidated damages for vendor noncompliance: not specified on the cited page.[1]
- Contract remedies and termination are handled under procurement and contract terms; appeals or protests typically follow procurement protest procedures described by the Finance/Procurement Division.[1]
- Non-monetary sanctions can include orders to remediate, requirements to submit an independent audit, contract suspension, or termination per contract language and procurement rules.
Applications & Forms
There is no published, dedicated city form titled "AI bias audit request" on the IT or Procurement pages; to request an audit, submit a written request describing the issue via the contact instructions on the IT or Procurement pages. If the audit is part of a procurement or contract compliance action, use the procurement complaint or contract management pathways listed by Finance/Procurement.[2][1]
Common violations and typical responses
- Failure to disclose use of automated decision tools in public-facing services — city requests disclosure and may require vendor remediation.
- Contract noncompliance for required audits or deliverables — possible contract cure notices, remediation plans, or termination per procurement rules.
- Inadequate data protections or biased training data — orders to correct data handling and to submit independent analysis.
How to file, appeal, and follow up
- File: Send a written request to City IT explaining the technical concern and to Procurement if contract or vendor actions are implicated; use the contact links below.[2][1]
- Review: City staff will assess jurisdiction, confidentiality, and whether the matter requires a vendor contract action or third-party audit.
- Appeal: If a procurement decision follows, follow the procurement protest or appeal procedures cited by Finance/Procurement; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.[1]
FAQ
- Who can request an AI bias audit?
- City staff, vendors under contract, and members of the public can request a review; requestors should contact the Information Technology Department or Finance/Procurement depending on whether the issue is technical or contractual.[2][1]
- Are there fees to request an audit?
- Any fees for independent third-party audits, vendor remediation, or contract enforcement are governed by contract terms or procurement policy and are not specified on the cited pages.[1]
- How long does an audit take?
- Timelines depend on scope, data access and confidentiality reviews; no fixed city timeline for AI bias audits is published on the cited pages.[2]
How-To
- Document the concern: collect dates, outputs, and a short description of the biased outcome.
- Contact City IT with the technical summary and Procurement if a vendor contract is involved; include a primary contact and available documentation.[2][1]
- Agree scope: work with city staff to define audit scope, access, confidentiality protections, and whether a third-party auditor is required.
- Arrange funding or vendor obligations for the audit under contract terms or city procurement rules.
- Receive report: city staff will review results and determine remediation, reporting, or contract actions.
Key Takeaways
- Start with City IT for technical issues and Procurement for contract matters.
- There is no published, dedicated AI audit form; submit a written request via department contacts.
- Specific fines or statutory penalties for failing to perform an AI bias audit are not specified on the cited municipal pages.
Help and Support / Resources
- City Information Technology Department
- City Finance - Procurement Division
- Fayetteville Code of Ordinances (Municode)