Cooperative Purchasing: Effects Are Likely to Vary Among Governments and Businesses
GGD-97-33
Published: Feb 10, 1997. Publicly Released: Feb 10, 1997.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO assessed the potential effects of a cooperative purchasing program administered by the General Services Administration (GSA) on nonfederal governments and federal agencies, and on industry, including small businesses and dealers.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| General Services Administration | As part of GSA's report on the cooperative purchasing program to Congress mandated by the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, the Administrator of General Services should provide a detailed plan setting forth the steps that GSA will take to implement the program. In particular, the Administrator's report should provide Congress with a written implementation plan that emphasizes the optional nature of the program and includes guidance that will be provided to GSA and Department of Veterans Affairs staff on the available quantitative data, affected parties' views, and other factors that need to be considered in assessing benefits and negative effects of opening up schedules. |
Closed – Not Implemented
In 1998, Congress repealed the cooperative purchasing provision of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. Therefore, the recommendation no longer applies, even though GSA had agreed to implement the recommendation.
|
| General Services Administration | As part of GSA's report on the cooperative purchasing program to Congress mandated by the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, the Administrator of General Services should provide a detailed plan setting forth the steps that GSA will take to implement the program. In particular, the Administrator's report should provide Congress with a written implementation plan that emphasizes the optional nature of the program and identifies appropriate processes for obtaining and considering information and views from a full range of affected parties. |
Closed – Not Implemented
In 1988, Congress repealed the cooperative purchasing provisions of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. Therefore, the recommendation no longer applies, even though GSA had agreed to implement the recommendation.
|
| General Services Administration | As part of GSA's report on the cooperative purchasing program to Congress mandated by the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, the Administrator of General Services should provide a detailed plan setting forth the steps that GSA will take to implement the program. In particular, the Administrator's report should provide Congress with a written implementation plan that emphasizes the optional nature of the program and designates a high-level official or officials who are to make final decisions on opening schedules, especially when businesses express significant concern about potential adverse effects. |
Closed – Not Implemented
In 1998, Congress repealed the cooperative purchasing provisions of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. Therefore, the recommendation no longer applies, even though GSA had agreed to implement the recommendation.
|
| General Services Administration | As part of GSA's report on the cooperative purchasing program to Congress mandated by the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, the Administrator of General Services should provide a detailed plan setting forth the steps that GSA will take to implement the program. In particular, the Administrator's report should provide Congress with a written implementation plan that emphasizes the optional nature of the program and provides for evaluating the actual effects of decisions to open schedules, and a means for addressing the effects if the data so warrant. |
Closed – Not Implemented
In 1998, Congress repealed the cooperative purchasing provisions of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. Therefore, the recommendation no longer applies, even though GSA had agreed to implement the recommendation.
|
| General Services Administration | As part of GSA's report on the cooperative purchasing program to Congress mandated by the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, the Administrator of General Services should provide a detailed plan setting forth the steps that GSA will take to implement the program. In particular, the Administrator's report should provide Congress with a written implementation plan that emphasizes the optional nature of the program and allows for partially opening schedules when appropriate. |
Closed – Not Implemented
In 1998, Congress repealed the cooperative purchasing provisions of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. Therefore, the recommendation no longer applies, even though GSA had agreed to implement the recommendation.
|
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Administrative costsComparative analysisCost controlFederal supply systemsLocal governmentsNative AmericansPrivate sectorState and local procurementState governmentsSmall business