RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT - A FINAL ASSESSMENT

• NCJ Number: 65523
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 131 pages
• Corporate Author: US Comptroller General
• Sale Source: Azimuth Inc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: THERE IS A CHARGE FOR MORE THAN ONE COPY. REPORT TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL

Annotation

A FINAL ASSESSMENT ON THE SUCCESS OF THE REFORM PROGRAM OVERSEEING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT PRACTICES IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT, ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS IN THE LATE 1960'S, DEVELOPED 149 INTEGRATED RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT THAT REQUIRED CONGRESSIONAL AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACTION. HOWEVER, FEW OF THE COMMISSIONS'S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE IN FORCE AND ARE UNLIKELY TO BE ACTED UPON IN THE FUTURE. SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORM THAT THE OFFICE OF FEDERAL PROCUREMENT PRACTICES (OFPP) HAS ACTED UPON INVOLVED STREAMLINING REGULATIONS, DEVELOPING A PROFESSIONAL WORK FORCE, CROSS-SERVICING AGENCY CONTRACTS, IMPROVING THE CLIMATE FOR FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, DETERMINING A GOVERNMENT-WIDE PATENT POLICY, REFORMING MAJOR SYSTEM ACQUISITION, SHIFTING THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS BUYING POLICY, MAKING ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING SERVICES MORE COMPETITIVE, AND REFORMING THE FEDERAL ASISTANCE SYSTEM. COMMISSION REFORMS NOT YET CONSIDERED INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MODERN INTERGRATED STATUTORY BASE FOR ALL OF FEDERAL PROCUREMENT, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL POLICY FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S RELIANCE ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR GOODS AND SERVICES, THE USE OF A MISSION-BASED BUDGETING APPROACH TO THE CONGRESSIONAL FUNDING PROCESS, AND STREAMLINING APPLICATIONS OF SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. THE SENATE AND HOUSE HAVE BOTH INTRODUCED BILLS TO EXTEND OFPP. HOWEVER, SEVERAL CONDITIONS HAVE LESSENED THE CHANCES FOR REALIZATION OF THE COMMISSION'S REFORMS: DIVERSION OF OFPP ATTENTION TO OTHER MATTERS, ABSENCE OF AN OFPP LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM, POOR VISIBILITY OF REFORM PROGRESS, AND PROBLEMS IN OFPP MANAGEMENT AND CONGRESSIONAL REPORTING. THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET SHOULD DIRECT OFPP TO REVIEW AND RESOLVE THE COMMISSION'S REFORMS AND TO DEVELOP A NEW REPORTING DESIGN THAT PERMITS VISIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF RECOMMENDATIONS. CONGRESS SHOULD ALSO RESOLVE THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND THOSE IN THIS REPORT. THE STATUS OF THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS IS APPENDED, TABULAR INFORMATION AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--WJR)