Comments on S. 1604

Comments were requested on S. 1604 which would require the enactment of special legislation to continue the funding of major civil acquisitions whenever actual costs or expected costs increase by 25 percent or more, excluding inflation. GAO was also requested to assess the paperwork and regulatory burdens which might result from the bill's enactment. The bill, as proposed, could result in some additional paperwork and regulatory burdens on Congress, the executive branch agencies and departments, and on GAO. Although GAO was unable to estimate the potential burdens on the agencies, GAO believes that the bill would not create substantial additional paperwork since the agencies have for several years been providing cost information to GAO for inclusion in an annual financial status report. GAO supports the bill's objective but believes that the agencies should compile and report the cost and cost growth statistics to the Office of Management and Budget for analysis and subsequent reporting to Congress. GAO believes that the project status information is necessary for proper agency management and control of acquisitions and for congressional oversight and funding decisions. The uniform treatment of inflation is also needed to provide for better evaluation of the cost growth being experienced.