Skip to main content

Information Technology: FBI Is Taking Steps to Develop an Enterprise Architecture, but Much Remains to Be Accomplished

GAO-05-363 Published: Sep 09, 2005. Publicly Released: Sep 09, 2005.
Jump To:
Skip to Highlights

Highlights

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently modernizing its information technology (IT) systems to support its efforts to adopt a more bureauwide, integrated approach to performing its mission. A key element of such systems modernization programs is the use of an enterprise architecture (EA), which is a blueprint of an agency's current and planned operating and systems environment, as well as an IT investment plan for transitioning between the two. The conference report accompanying FBI's fiscal year 2005 appropriations directed GAO to determine (1) whether the FBI is managing its EA program in accordance with established best practices and (2) what approach the bureau is following to track and oversee its EA contractor, including the use of effective contractual controls.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Bureau of Investigation Given the FBI's heavy reliance on contractor assistance in developing its EA and the state of its contract management controls, the FBI Director should direct the Chief Financial Officer, in conjunction with the Chief Information Officer, to ensure that to the maximum extent practicable, performance-based contracting activities, along with effective contract tracking and oversight practices, are employed prospectively on all EA contract actions. This should include, among other things, defining contractor work in measurable, results-oriented terms; establishing positive and negative contractor performance incentives; and defining and implementing contractor tracking and oversight processes consistent with acquisition management guidance.
Closed – Implemented
FBI has taken actions to employ performance-based contracting and effective contract tracking and oversight practices on its enterprise architecture (EA) program. First, it has written the contract performance work statement for EA Phase IV in measurable, results-oriented terms for specific tasks (e.g., EA product integration) and for EA products (e.g., a transition roadmap for business processes). Second, it has established positive and negative contractor performance incentives (e.g., an award fee and a penalty of up to 3 percent of the contract's value related to EA product quality and timeliness). Also, a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan has been developed that specifies the timeliness and quality level analysis to be performed, along with pass/fail criteria for products. Third, the Bureau has adopted its existing contract management processes, supplemented by its EA project management plan, to manage and oversee the EA contractor. In this regard, the project management plan describes a number of performance monitoring and progress reporting mechanisms, such as earned value management, program management reviews, and status tracking and reporting of project action items. Fourth, responsibility for managing contract tracking and oversight activities has been assigned. Specifically, the EA Program Office and its EA Strategic Planning Unit are responsible for managing execution of all contract related activities and tasks, while the Assistant Director of the Office of IT Policy and Planning is responsible for contract management oversight.

Full Report

Office of Public Affairs

Topics

Agency missionsBest practicesBest practices reviewsContract administrationContract oversightEnterprise architectureInformation resources managementInformation systemsInformation technologyInternal controlsInvestment planningPerformance measuresProgram managementSequencing planStrategic information systems planningSystems conversionsSystems design