[Statistical Sampling of Long-Distance Telephone Calls]

An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official requested amplification of a GAO decision to clarify whether the certification requirement for long-distance telephone calls could be satisfied through the use of statistical sampling. GAO stated that its decision, which held that the certification of short-haul, long-distance calls could be made on the basis of a regular random sampling of such calls, could properly be extended to encompass all long-distance calls. A statistical sampling developed in conformity with GAO guidelines would satisfy the requirements. Accordingly, GAO had no objection to the implementation of a properly designed system such as that proposed by IRS.