An Improved Automated System Would Better Identify Small Businesses Seeking Federal Contracting Opportunities
IMTEC-84-3
Published: Jan 12, 1984. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 1984.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Procurement Automated Source System (PASS), which provides federal agencies with information concerning small businesses competing for government contracts, to evaluate: (1) how well the system is functioning; (2) how much federal agencies and contractors use it to foster small business procurement opportunities; (3) the accuracy, relevancy, and timeliness of the system's information; and (4) what plans SBA has for the future of the system.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Administration | The Administrator, SBA, to correct the problems in PASS, should increase the efficiency and usefulness of the existing system by: (1) modifying PASS software to correct processing deficiencies; (2) updating system documentation to facilitate timely resolution of operational problems; and (3) increasing efforts to encourage user participation in suggesting and reviewing system improvements. |
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, SBA, to correct the problems in PASS, should improve and maintain the currentness and accuracy of PASS information, after resolving the software deficiencies, by: (1) promptly processing the large backlog of information awaiting entry; and (2) regularly operating the annual update, outreach, 8(a), and vocabulary update functions of the system. |
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, SBA, to increase the level of technical oversight in operating PASS and to build an appropriate foundation for a new system, should direct the program and contracting offices to closely monitor the technical and management operations of PASS at the U.S. Railway Association. |
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, SBA, to increase the level of technical oversight in operating PASS and to build an appropriate foundation for a new system, should defer any hardware or software decisions on a new system until SBA: (1) analyzes the current functional requirements and evaluates the current system's ability to meet these requirements; (2) identifies alternative system approaches to meeting these requirements; and (3) performs a cost-benefit analysis of each approach to use as a basis for any future redesign efforts. |
Closed – Implemented
SBA decided it did not have enough time to identify and analyze other alternatives before the fiscal year (FY) 1984 contract expired. It elected to have a small 8(a) firm study the FY 1984 system to determine what improvements were needed. SBA issued an request for proposals for the operation of the new system. A small Michigan firm was selected to operate PASS in FY 1985.
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SoftwareCost analysisData integrityFederal procurementInformation systemsSmall business contractorsSystems conversionsSmall businessProcurementFederal contracting