Procurement Reform: Comments on Proposed Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act

GAO discussed S. 1587, the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, focusing on the act's impact on the government's procurement system. GAO noted that: (1) reforming the government's procurement system will require the government to take greater advantage of the commercial marketplace, simplify the procurement system, and manage the system better by making greater investments in people and systems; (2) the commercial provisions of S. 1587 should increase commercial firms' accessibility to the government marketplace and promote competition; (3) the act would simplify procurement regulations and implement electronic processes and communications so that the government can conform with commercial practices, increase small purchase thresholds to promote small business contracts, reduce acquisition personnel workloads, and accelerate the procurement process; (4) although the act does not address better management, the act's provisions would provide the government with the tools needed to help it operate in a more business-like manner; and (5) the act's proposed procurement reforms must be accompanied by adequate staffing and training to support effective implementation.