**GAO-10-809**                      Published: Jul 15, 2010. Publicly Released: Jul 15, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), estimated to cost $862 billion over 10 years, is intended to stimulate the economy and create jobs. The Recovery Act provides funds to federal agencies and states, which in turn may award contracts to private companies and other entities to carry out the purposes of the Recovery Act. Contracts using Recovery Act funds are required to be awarded competitively to the maximum extent practicable. GAO was asked to examine the use and oversight of noncompetitive Recovery Act contracts at the federal and state levels. GAO determined (1) the extent that federal contracts were awarded noncompetitively; (2) the reasons five selected federal agencies (the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Health and Human Services; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and the Small Business Administration (SBA)) awarded noncompetitive contracts; (3) the oversight these agencies and their inspectors general (IG) provide for Recovery Act contracts; and (4) the level of insight five selected states (California, Colorado, Florida, New York, and Texas) have into the use of noncompetitive Recovery Act contracts.

## Recommendations

## Recommendations for Executive Action

See All 5 Recommendations

## Full Report

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Full Report (76 pages)

Accessible Text 

## GAO Contacts

Michele Mackin
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## Topics

Business Regulation and Consumer Protection

Auditing proceduresBudget outlaysCompetitive procurementContract administrationContract oversightFederal agenciesFederal aid to localitiesFederal aid to statesFederal fundsFederal procurementFund auditsInternal controlsNeeds assessmentRisk managementPolicies and proceduresCompliance