GAO discussed the Social Security Administration's (SSA) development and award of its Systems Engineering and Integration system to two firms. GAO found that, prior to award, SSA officials: (1) improperly provided the awardees with procurement information concerning competitors' bids; (2) accepted various gratuities from the awardees in the form of restaurant meals; (3) allowed the awardees to occupy offices in the SSA building and to participate in the developmental stages of the System Modernization Plan; and (4) hosted a presentation by one of the awardees regarding what role the awardee should play in the system's development.