Project BioShield: HHS can Improve Agency Internal Controls for its New Contracting Authorities
Abstract
The Project BioShield Act of 2004 (BioShield Act) increased the federal governments ability to procure needed countermeasures to address threats from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents. Under the BioShield Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was provided with new contracting authorities (increased simplified acquisition and micropurchase thresholds, and expanded abilities to use procedures other than full and open competition and personal services contracts) and was authorized to use about $5.6 billion in a Special Reserve Fund to procure countermeasures. Based on the BioShield Acts mandate, GAO reviewed (1) how HHS has used its purchasing and contracting authorities, and (2) the extent to which HHS has internal controls in place to manage and help ensure the appropriate use of its new authorities. To do this work, GAO reviewed contract files and other HHS documents, including internal control guidance, which GAO compared with federal statutes and federal internal control standards.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- AD1181297
Entities
People
- Angela D. Thomas
- Carol D. Petersen
- John K. Needham
- Kelly Bradley
- Kenneth E. Patton
- Marie P. Ahearn
- Robert S. Swierczek
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office