B-206240 L/M, MAR 2, 1982, OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

B-206240 L/M, MAR 2, 1982, OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

DIGEST: GAO HAS NO OBJECTION TO PROPOSED REVISION TO OMB CIRCULAR A-120, "GUIDELINES FOR USE OF CONSULTING SERVICES", NOR TO PROPOSED BULLETIN EXTENDING CONTROLS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF CIRCULAR A-120 TO THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, SPECIAL STUDIES AND ANALYSES, AND MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

DONALD E. SOWLE, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT:

BY MEMORANDUM DATED JANUARY 22, 1982, YOU REQUESTED OUR COMMENTS ON A PROPOSED REVISION TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET (OMB) CIRCULAR A 120, "GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF CONSULTING SERVICES." YOU ALSO REQUESTED OUR COMMENTS ON A PROPOSED NEW BULLETIN WHICH EXTENDS MANAGEMENT CONTROLS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF CIRCULAR A-120 TO THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, SPECIAL STUDIES AND ANALYSES, AND MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

YOU STATE THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO OMB CIRCULAR A 120 AND THE PROPOSED BULLETIN IS TO FURTHER TIGHTEN INTERNAL AGENCY MANAGEMENT CONTROLS OVER THE USE OF THE PRESCRIBED SERVICES, WHILE DEMONSTRATING THAT OMB WILL TAKE WHATEVER ACTIONS ARE DEEMED NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT ONLY THOSE SERVICES THAT ARE NECESSARY, JUSTIFIED, AND APPROPRIATE WILL BE PROCURED AND THEREBY NEGATE THE NEED FOR LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS.

WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO OMB CIRCULAR A-120 NOR TO THE PROPOSED BULLETIN.