General Services Administration's Implementation of OMB Circular A-109

GAO has supported the major acquisition recommendations of the Commission on Government Procurement and the intent of OMB Circular A-109 and monitored their implementation. Three key elements of A-109 are the determination of need in relation to an agency's mission requirements, the examination of alternative solutions, and the generation of the maximum degree of competition. The General Services Administration's (GSA) plans for implementing A-109 call for no substantive changes in its current acquisition process which does not include some key elements of the process recommended by the Commission. GSA and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy have differing opinions of A-109's application to public buildings but have not been working to resolve these differences. A GSA determination that a need exists for a major building acquisition generally results from continuing surveys of Federal office space in communities. Market surveys are conducted through informal meetings. The GSA approach differs from the A-109 approach in its presentation to the Congress and in the level of competition obtained. GSA believes that its acquisition process accomplishes the spirit of A-109 and that formal solicitation is not necessary. In response to GAO recommendations, GSA has taken several actions to correct deficiencies in its procurement process and to collect overcharges. Other management areas discussed were the GSA leadership role, agency reorganization, efficiency of GSA self-service stores, and administration of repair contracts.