●

- Addressed

◐

- Partially Addressed

○

- Not Addressed

◉

- Consolidated or Other

℗

- Pending

⊘

- Closed-Partially Addressed

⊗

- Closed-Not Addressed

Year Identified: 2016

Area Number: 18

Area Type: Cost Savings & Revenue Enhancement

Action:

The Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) should take appropriate steps to develop a standard definition for bridge contracts and incorporate it as appropriate into relevant Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) sections.

Progress:

No executive action taken. As of January 2020, OFPP staff stated that they are reviewing actions agencies have taken related to bridge contracts since GAO issued its initial report on bridge contracts in October 2015, and that they are reviewing the extent to which OFPP regulatory action is necessary moving forward. OFPP staff noted that there is no estimated timeframe for completion of this review.

A standard definition of bridge contracts would help ensure all agencies have better insight into their use of these contracts and provide agencies with the information to manage their use. Without taking the necessary steps to develop a definition for bridge contracts and incorporating it into the FAR, it will be difficult for agencies to take steps to reduce their reliance on noncompetitive bridge contracts or remediate internal deficiencies—such as issues related to acquisition planning or challenges with the acquisition workforce—that may lead to delays in the award of follow-on contracts.

Action:

As an interim measure until the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is amended, the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) should provide guidance to agencies on (1) a definition of bridge contracts, with consideration of contract extensions and stand-alone bridge contracts, and (2) suggestions for agencies to track and manage their use of these contracts.

Progress:

Previously, OFPP staff stated they had drafted management guidance that included a definition of bridge contracts, as GAO recommended in October 2015. OFPP stated that the guidance was in the process of being reviewed by agency Chief Acquisition Officers and Senior Procurement Executives, and initially expected the guidance to be issued by the end of calendar year 2016. At the time, OFPP staff told GAO that they received many comments on the draft guidance from the agencies, and that they were addressing these comments. OFPP staff continued to tell GAO in subsequent years that the guidance was under review.

As of January 2020, OFPP staff stated that OFPP is reviewing actions agencies have taken related to bridge contracts since GAO issued its initial report on bridge contracts in October 2015, and that they are reviewing the extent to which OFPP guidance is necessary moving forward. OFPP staff noted that there is no estimated timeframe for completion of this review.

GAO maintains that government-wide guidance that includes both a definition of bridge contracts as well as suggestions for agencies to track and manage their use is essential. A standard definition of bridge contracts and suggestions for tracking and managing their use would help ensure all agencies have better insight into their use of these contracts and provide agencies with the information to manage their use. Without such information, it will be difficult for agencies to take steps to reduce their reliance on noncompetitive bridge contracts or remediate internal deficiencies—such as issues related to acquisition planning or challenges with the acquisition workforce—that may lead to delays in the award of follow-on contracts.