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NASA Procurement: Improving the Management of Delegated Contract Functions

NSIAD-92-75 Published: Mar 27, 1992. Publicly Released: May 07, 1992.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) compliance with its regulations on: (1) the delegation of contract administration functions; (2) communication with the Defense Contract Management Command (DCMC) on delegated contract administration functions; and (3) the coordination of DCMC work.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator, NASA, should ensure that the centers develop and implement adequate procedures for complying with new requirements for supervisory review of planning conference waiver decisions, follow up delegation acceptances in a timely manner, and knowing the status of contractors' purchasing system reviews.
Closed – Implemented
NASA is overseeing the implementation of adequate procedures through periodic procurement management surveys at each field center. The new requirements are covered in the agency's new contract and subcontract management course, which was given twice in 1992 and regularly thereafter.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator, NASA, should ensure that the centers use a timely and clear notification approach for delegatees and establish a procedure notifying them about contract modifications.
Closed – Implemented
NASA is overseeing compliance with regulations relating to this recommendation through periodic procurement management surveys at each field center. In addition, requirements in this area are covered in NASA's contract and subcontract management course, which was given twice in 1992 and regularly thereafter.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator, NASA, should ensure that NASA establishes and implements procedures for reviewing delegatee bills to adequately identify the services being billed and involve the centers in reviewing delegatees' billings.
Closed – Implemented
Revisions to delegates' billing system have been completed. Also, information on the new billing and verification system has been issued to all NASA centers and program offices.

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Topics

Aerospace contractsAerospace researchBilling proceduresContract administrationContract modificationsDefense procurementFederal procurementInteragency relationsInternal controlsIrregular procurement