NCJ Number
69668
Date Published
1980
Length
475 pages
Annotation
Testimony is heard on whether to continue funding and congressional authorization for the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP).
Abstract
In 1974, the Congress established the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, with the provision that its continuation be considered at the end of 5 years. Hearings before the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Practices and Open Government in March 1979 were held for the purpose of deciding whether to recommend continued authorization and funding for OFPP. The mandated functions of OFPP are to establish a system of uniform, coordinated procurement regulations; to establish a system for collecting and disseminating data about the executive branch procurement activities; to promote research programs in procurement policies and to promote training programs in procurement for Government employees; to prescribe policies for procurement under Federal grants; and to monitor and revise policies relating to reliance on the private sector by the Federal Government. Testimony from representatives of various Government agencies whose procurement activities have been influenced by the activities of OFPP was generally favorable toward the continuation of OFPP. However, some criticisms were expressed, notably in the areas of exceeding the scope of its mandated authority, of engaging in unnecessarily intrusive monitoring procedures, and of failing to fulfill its research mandate. Written statements and questions and answers before the Subcommittee are included.