Reflections on 15 Years

A number of events combined to form the catalyst which catapulted GAO from a 1966 organization best known for its audits of Government contracts to the 1981 entity which analyzes the economic impact of a development program or advises Congress on the need to develop a more focused policy on the role of the liquid metal fast breeder reactor. A GAO review of the adequacy of implementation of the Truth in Negotiations statute did much to improve the integrity of the contracting process. GAO evaluates management performance, procurement systems, and provides Congress information with respect to deficiencies in individual systems and procurement methods. Many changes in the organizational focus and operations of GAO were designed to permit its work to be more pertinent to the congressional budget process. Since 1966, the organization has changed from one with four divisions, civil, defense, field operations, and international, to one with 11 organizations along functional lines. Personnel were drawn from disciplines other than law and accounting. GAO has assessed such varied subjects as environmental policies and programs, nuclear waste disposal, indoor air pollution, defense issues, and social programs. The establishment of the Office for Organization and Human Development permitted an enhanced focus on the activities which pertain to an integrated human resource approach. Thus, the outreach efforts of the GAO staff continually include interactions with agency inspectors general and audit staffs, intergovernmental audit forum members, professional societies, and other audit offices.