Delegation of GSA Procurement Authority for Automatic Data Processing Equipment Acquisitions

The Department of Justice requested an opinion as to whether the Brooks Act permits delegations of procurement authority by the General Services Administration (GSA) for automatic data processing (ADP) equipment acquisitions if it is determined to be in the interest of economy and efficiency of operations or essential to national defense or security. GAO believes that the Act allows GSA to delegate its procurement authority to agencies to acquire ADP equipment under such circumstances. The Act also provides for GSA to delegate this authority when it finds it necessary or desirable to allow for the orderly implementation of a program for the utilization of ADP equipment. While the single purchaser concept was to prevail after an orderly step-by-step transition from individual agency management of ADP equipment to coordinated management by GSA, Congress recognized that, during the transitional period, GSA could delegate its procurement authority. However, GAO agrees with the Department of Justice's opinion that the Act allows GSA to delegate its procurement authority at any time, either prior to or after the full implementation of the single purchaser concept when it finds that the standards contained in the Act have been met. Delegations of procurement authority after achievement of this concept would be the exception rather than the rule and should be specifically justified by GSA on a case-by-case basis.