FY 2007 DoD Purchases Made Through the National Institutes of Health
Abstract
In accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2007, we reviewed DoD purchases made using National Institutes of Health (NIH) contracts. We reviewed 34 direct acquisitions valued at $221.0 million and 6 assisted acquisitions valued at $280.0 million. DoD contracting officers continued to provide insufficient competition and inadequate documentation for direct acquisitions of goods. Also, DoD contracting officers and contracting officer's representatives provided inadequate contract surveillance. For assisted acquisitions, DoD program and NIH contracting officials: 1) favored the incumbent contractor, 2) did not verify price reasonableness, 3) awarded a task order for a requirement too large to be managed as a single task order, and 4) did not accept a contractor's proposal to reduce the price of a task order. In addition, DoD, NIH, and General Services Administration officials misused funds, causing potential funding violations. We identified internal control weaknesses in the justification for using non-DoD contracts. Still, DoD and NIH officials have improved some interagency practices. NIH discontinued advance funding. DoD and NIH signed a memorandum of agreement outlining the responsibilities of each party. We believe that these steps will improve the NIH acquisition process And that DoD should continue using NIH to purchase goods and services.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 24, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA499289
Entities
People
- Richard B. Jolliffe
Organizations
- Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense