Contract Management: No Reliable Data to Measure Benefits of the Simplified Acquisition Test Program
Abstract
In recent years, the federal government has introduced new ways to streamline the acquisition process. One of those vehicles is the simplified acquisition procedures test program, which removes some of the procedural requirements for buying commercial goods and services. Using the test program, federal procurement officials can make purchases faster than they have in the past for procurements not exceeding $5 million. Congress mandated that GAO determine the extent to which federal executive agenciesat a minimum, the Department of Defense (DOD)have taken advantage of the test program and any benefits realized. One way to measure use is to examine test program data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). It is the central repository of contracting information. In addition to examining FPDS data, GAO looked at data from DODs data system. Before Congress decides whether to make the test program a permanent contracting vehicle, GAO recommends that DOD and other selected federal executive agencies ensure that reliable data are available to make program assessments. DOD agreed with GAOs recommendation, while the other selected federal agencies had no comments on the recommendation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- AD1158103
Entities
People
- David E. Cooper
- Jeffrey Rose
- Julia Kennon
- Lily Chin
- Marie Ahearn
- Ralph Dawn
- Ralph Roffo
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office