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Reservation and Award of Section 8(a) Small Business Act Contracts to Arcata Associates

AFMD-81-33 Published: Mar 23, 1981. Publicly Released: Apr 07, 1981.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the reservation and award of Section 8(a) Small Business Act contracts to a firm to determine whether allegations made by a competing firm are valid and to what extent the management by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of the 8(a) program was deficient in this situation. GAO reviewed contract and 8(a) program files and conducted interviews to identify the process and procedures followed in qualifying the firm for the 8(a) and Pilot Programs and in reserving and awarding contracts involving the firm. GAO also reviewed applicable SBA rules and regulations and coordinated its efforts with the SBA Inspector General.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Small Business Administration The Administrator of SBA should take appropriate action to ensure that all assistance to 8(a) firms complies with applicable statutory and regulatory authority and agrees with established SBA procedures.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Small Business Administration The Administrator of SBA should actively pursue the effort, promised in 1979, to ensure that better and more specific economic eligibility criteria are produced at the earliest possible date.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Small Business Administration The Administrator of SBA should thoroughly review the Arcata case with his Inspector General and determine whether Arcata's status and performance of this contract are consistent with established criteria and if not, whether termination of the contract and/or removal from the program are warranted.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

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