Contract Management: DOD's Implementation of Justifications for 8(a) Sole-Source Contracts
Abstract
In fiscal year 2013, the Department of Defense (DOD) obligated about $8.7 billion to contracts awarded through the Small Business Administration s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development program. This program is one of the federal government s primary means for developing small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Contract awards under this program may be competed among eligible 8(a) firms or awarded on a sole-source basis to 8(a) firms in certain instances, such as when the firm is owned by an Alaska Native Corporation or an Indian tribe. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2010, enacted on October 28, 2009, required the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to be amended to include a new requirement for a written justification of 8(a) sole-source awards over $20 million.1 The requirement was implemented in the FAR on March 16, 2011. Previously, no justification was required for 8(a) sole-source awards of any amount. This justification requirement brings more attention to large-dollar-value, sole-source contracts awarded through the 8(a) program, and our prior work has found that the number and value of these contracts at DOD and other federal agencies have declined since enactment of the requirement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 09, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA609208
Entities
People
- Alexis Olson
- Jared Sippel
- Julia Kennon
- Laura Greifner
- Michele Mackin
- Sylvia Schatz
- Tatiana Winger
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office