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Improvements in Small Purchasing Activities Can Save Money, Increase Competition, and Achieve Required Goals

GGD-82-44 Published: Jun 08, 1982. Publicly Released: Jun 08, 1982.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the small purchasing operations at certain Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Customs Service offices.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of the Treasury The Assistant Secretary for Administration, Department of the Treasury, should direct IRS and Customs to increase supervisory reviews on any proposed noncompetitive purchasing to insure that it is justified.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Treasury The Assistant Secretary for Administration, Department of the Treasury, should direct IRS and Customs to maximize the use of cash transactions under the new, higher imprest fund level, including the use of cash-on-delivery or other procedures which are less expensive and quicker than using purchase orders. Another alternative, proposed by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, would be to establish the procedures and controls necessary to allow bank check or money order payments on bills for less than $500.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Treasury The Assistant Secretary for Administration, Department of the Treasury, should direct IRS and Customs to implement procurement preference programs for small, minority- or women-owned, and labor surplus area businesses.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Full Report

Full Report (6 pages)

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Topics

Government Operations
Contractor paymentsCost controlImprest fundsMinority business set-asidesProcurement regulationsPurchase ordersSmall business set-asidesSmall purchasesWomen-owned businessesProcurement