The Department of Energy's Practices for Awarding and Administering Contracts Need To Be Improved

The Department of Energy (DOE) is the largest civil procuring agency in the Federal Government. Its contracting obligations represented 79 percent of its total fiscal year 1978 appropriations of $10.8 billion. With such a heavy reliance on contractors to help carry out its missions, an effective and efficient procurement function is essential to ensure that DOE obtains acceptable goods and services at the lowest prices. A review of DOE procurement practices and procedures focused on five DOE organizations.