Data Processing: USDA Needs To Better Manage Field-Office Computer Purchases
Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the acquisition and use of field-office computer systems by the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Soil Conservation Service (SCS) and Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), focusing on: (1) whether USDA, SCS, and FmHA are pursuing the feasibility of sharing computer resources for collocated field offices; (2) whether SCS and FmHA are pursuing the feasibility of using smaller, less expensive computers than originally planned for their field offices; (3) whether SCS is employing a cost-effective approach to acquiring applications software for its field-office computers; (4) what SCS has done to show whether field-office automation will improve service to farmers and other land users; and (5) the FmHA assessment of interfacing its field-office computers with states' automated lien systems.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct that SCS and FmHA delay acquisition of additional computer systems for offices located in the same building, city, or town until the sharing study is completed. |
Closed – Implemented
The acquisition of computer resources was delayed and a sharing study was conducted, which showed that sharing of computer resources was feasible for collocated SCS/FmHA offices. SCS officials estimate $8 to $10 million in procurement savings from fiscal year (FY) 1987 through FY 1990 as a result of shared equipment at collocated SCS/FmHA offices.
|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct that SCS defer ordering computer systems for its field offices requiring a one-workstation system until it determines whether these offices can use smaller, less expensive microcomputers available under the contract. |
Closed – Implemented
As GAO recommended, SCS deferred ordering computer systems for its noncollocated field offices requiring one-workstation. SCS pursued lower cost microcomputers and found one that would meet its needs. The one-workstation offices were equipped with smaller, less expensive microcomputers. SCS officials estimate cost savings of approximately $15 million.
|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct that SCS review software-development efforts of its field offices and maintain a current inventory of planned and existing software applications to help ensure that duplication of software development is avoided. |
Closed – Implemented
SCS issued National Instruction No. 270-301 on March 30, 1987, to reactivate the use of the Software Development Inventory System. The instruction requires all SCS offices to report all software under development, developed, or planned for inclusion in the inventory.
|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct that SCS prepare and implement a plan to evaluate the benefits attributable to field-office automation. |
Closed – Implemented
SCS developed and implemented a plan to evaluate the benefits attributable to field office automation, and conducted a pilot test in Arizona. The test indicated that automating SCS field offices reduced the time required for soil conservationists to complete their job by 30 percent. The Inspector General recommended that the test be implemented in eight additional states, and SCS agreed.
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