STANDARD BENCHMARKS AID IN COMPETITIVE SYSTEM SELECTION

• NCJ Number: 65603
• Journal: Journal of Systems Management Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1979) Pages: 6-10
• Author(s): R V HEAD; N S GOFF
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Assoc for Systems Management
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A BENCHMARK SYSTEM DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF FEDERAL CONTRACT BIDDING WITHOUT SACRIFICING FAIRNESS IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

A BENCHMARK IS A SET OF LIVE TESTS DESIGNED TO EXAMINE IF PROPOSED COMPUTER SYSTEM MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS. THE BENCHMARK MUST BE CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT FAVORING ONE SYSTEM OVER ANOTHER, AND WITHOUT IMPOSING UNDUE CONSTRAINTS ON HOW A REQUIREMENT IS MET. THE REPETITIVE USE OF THE SAME BENCHMARK PROGRAMS OVER A PROLONGED PERIOD IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WOULD PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER AND CORRECT THEIR DEFICIENCIES. OVER TIME, VENDORS COULD IDENTIFY BIASES FAVORABLE TO A COMPETITOR SO THAT CORRECTIONS COULD BE MADE IN THE BENCHMARK. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BENCHMARKS IN A LIBRARY FOR GOVERNMENTWIDE USE WOULD PRODUCE SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CONTRACT BIDDING. REPETITIVE BENCHMARKS WOULD GREATLY REDUCE VENDOR COST AND UNCERTAINTY IN PREPARING PROPOSALS. A BENCHMARK PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ARGICULTURE FOR USE IN THE PROCUREMENT OF LARGE-SCALE COMPUTERS IS DESCRIBED AND ASSESSED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)