Major System Acquisition Management in the Department of Justice
Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of Justice's progress in implementing Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-109 to manage major system acquisitions. Circular A-109 supplies a framework of flexible management policies that can be applied to all systems, ranging from defense weapons to electronic data processing. Under the guidelines of A-109, each agency must: (1) define the need in terms of its mission; (2) reconcile needs and goals with agency capabilities; (3) evaluate industry's competitive efforts to develop alternative designs; and (4) choose the best alternative on the basis of demonstrated performance and price commitments. Emphasis is on mission-oriented planning, high visibility, strong program management, and reliance on private industry for alternative system designs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Justice | The Assistant Attorney General for Administration should place the responsibility for implementing and monitoring A-109 in an appropriate office in the Justice Management Division and designate a focal point of responsibility for monitoring A-109 implementation in each of the larger organizational components. |
Closed – Implemented
The Justice Management Division has been tasked with responsibility for A-109 procurements and heads of procurement activities are responsible for A-109 activities at the six independent Justice components.
|
| Department of Justice | The Assistant Attorney General for Administration should issue a department-wide directive covering policies, procedures, and guidelines to be followed in A-109 implementation. |
Closed – Implemented
Guidelines are written, and although not officially issued, are being followed for current A-109 procurements.
|
| Department of Justice | The Assistant Attorney General for Administration should provide training in major system acquisition management through either Department of Justice training programs or Federal Acquisition Institute programs. |
Closed – Implemented
FIA and the Justice Management Division provide training in A-109 activities. This training will be modified as OMB alters the current A-109 circular in 1985.
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