ADP Workstations: SSA's $64-Million Acquisition for Fiscal Year 1987 Should Be Reconsidered
IMTEC-86-34
Published: Sep 16, 1986. Publicly Released: Sep 16, 1986.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Social Security Administration's (SSA) efforts to update its computer systems that process benefit claims, specifically its fiscal year (FY) 1987 procurement of automatic data processing (ADP) furniture for the Claims Modernization Project.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should immediately direct the Commissioner of Social Security to limit future contractual commitments of FY 1987 funds for ADP furniture procurement, in accordance with ADP hardware recommendations cited in the August 1986 report, to coincide with the terminals procured for a full pilot test of the proposed computer system. |
Closed – Implemented
Congress directed SSA to evaluate its furniture plan in light of other priorities. SSA is contracting with the Federal Prison Service for furniture at a substantially reduced price and plans to procure $5 million of furniture during FY 1989. None of the $64.7 million in the SSA FY 1988 budget was expended on furniture.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should immediately direct the Commissioner of Social Security to delay the remaining planned FY 1987 furniture procurement until SSA thoroughly justifies the need for new furniture, in accordance with federal regulations. In conducting such an analysis, SSA should clearly identify those furniture acquisitions that are ADP-related and those that are not needed to support SSA computer modernization efforts. |
Closed – Implemented
SSA stated in its FY 1988 budget justification that it is reexamining its furniture procurement plans and adopting a conservative approach.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should immediately direct the Commissioner of Social Security to thoroughly reexamine all activities associated with the furniture pilot program to reconsider the appropriateness of: (1) the furniture being justified and procured as ADP-related under the pilot program; and (2) the average workstation cost being based on furniture items that are not mandatory for ADP workstation requirements and that appear excessive in cost. |
Closed – Implemented
SSA stated in its FY 1988 budget justification that it is reexamining its furniture procurement plans and adopting a conservative approach.
|
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Topics
IT acquisitionsClaims processingCompensation claimsInformation systemsIrregular procurementOffice equipmentProcurement regulationsSystems conversionsFurnitureFederal regulations