Federal Acquisitions and Contracting: Systemic Challenges Need Attention
Abstract
In fiscal year 2006, the federal government spent over $400 billion for a wide variety of goods and services, with the Department of Defense (DOD) being the largest purchaser. Given the large and growing structural deficit, the government must get the best return it can on its investment in goods and services. For decades, GAO has reported on a number of systemic challenges in agencies acquisition of goods and services. These challenges are so significant and wide-ranging that GAO has designated four areas of contract management across the government to be high-risk. This testimony highlights four key acquisition challenges agencies face: (1) separating wants from needs, (2) establishing and supporting realistic program requirements, (3) using contractors in appropriate circumstances and contracts as a management tool, and (4) creating a capable workforce and holding it accountable. While GAO is making no new recommendations in this testimony, GAO has made numerous recommendations through the years to improve government acquisitions, many of which have not been implemented. Where agencies have responded to our recommendations, we have seen some improvements in their acquisition management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 17, 2007
- Accession Number
- AD1178959
Entities
People
- Bruce Thomas
- David M. Walker
- John Neumann
- John P. Hutton
- Karen Sloan
- Kenneth Patton
- Laura Holliday
- Sylvia Schatz
- Theresa Chen
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office