Federal contracting
Subtitle: opportunities exist to increase competition and assess reasons when only one offer is received : report to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives
Contributors: Hutton, John P.; United States. Congress. House. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Publisher: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Washington, D.C.]
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Number of pages: 55
Subjects: Rules and practice; Evaluation; Public contracts; Government policy; Government purchasing; United States. Office of Federal Procurement Policy; United States
Other titles: Opportunities exist to increase competition and assess reasons when only one offer is received; Competition in federal contracting
Description: Competition is a critical tool for achieving the best return on the government's investment. While federal agencies are generally required to award contracts on the basis of full and open competition, they are permitted to award noncompetitive contracts in certain situations. Agencies are also required to establish competition advocates to promote competition. GAO assessed (1) trends in noncompetitive contracts and those receiving only one offer when competed; (2) exceptions to and factors affecting competition; (3) whether contracting approaches reflected sound procurement practices; and (4) how agencies are instituting the competition advocate role. GAO reviewed federal procurement data and 107 randomly selected contracts at the departments of Defense, Interior, and Homeland Security (which had among the highest noncompetitive obligations in fiscal year 2008) and interviewed contracting and program officials, competition advocates, and contractors. GAO recommends that OFPP take actions regarding assessment of the reasons only one offer is received and issue guidance on competition advocate roles, including their direct involvement with program offices to seek opportunities for competition. OFPP agreed with the recommendations, and DOD generally agreed with our findings and recommendations. Other agencies provided technical comments.
Notes: Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed Aug. 25, 2010).

"July 2010."

"GAO-10-833."

Includes bibliographical references.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Reader.