**GAO-08-578**                      Published: May 08, 2008. Publicly Released: May 08, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

Interagency contracting--using another agency's contracts or contracting services--can provide agencies with opportunities to streamline the procurement process and achieve savings. However, GAO designated the management of interagency contracting a high-risk area in 2005 due, in part, to a lack of reliable data on its use and of clarity regarding contract management responsibilities. In 2002, the Department of State (State) issued the State First policy, requiring domestic bureaus to obtain approval from State acquisition officials before paying other agencies for contract support services. Under the Comptroller General's authority to conduct evaluations on his own initiative, GAO evaluated State's 1) insight into its use of interagency contracts, 2) policies on deciding when to use assisted interagency contracts, and 3) ability to ensure oversight. GAO's work included reviewing regulations, analyzing interagency contracting data, and conducting 10 case studies of direct and assisted interagency contracts that represented a range of State bureaus and servicing agencies.

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## Topics

Government Operations

Agency missionsAgency protocolsContract administrationContract oversightContract performanceContracting officersContractor paymentsCost controlData collectionData integrityFederal agenciesFederal procurementFederal procurement policyFederal regulationsInteragency relationsPolicy evaluationProcurement policyRisk assessmentRisk managementContract mismanagement