Corps of Engineers: Weak Contracting Practices

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Army Corps of Engineers' contract for upgrading electrical systems at Clear Air Force Station, Alaska, to determine whether the Corps correctly restricted the purchase of certain brand-name electrical equipment.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of the Army	The Secretary of the Army should direct the Chief, Corps of Engineers, to ensure that Engineering Regulation (ER) 1110-345-100 is revised to clarify the specific conditions that, as required by FAR 10.004 and 11.004, must exist to justify restricting specifications to a single manufacturer.	Closed – Implemented ER 1110-345-100 is being revised as recommended and is expected to be published in late 1991. ER 1110-345-100 was revised and published on September 30, 1991.
Department of the Army	The Secretary of the Army should direct the Chief, Corps of Engineers, to ensure that the North Pacific Division's waiver review procedure for restrictive specifications is based on a revised engineering regulation that reflects pertinent FAR requirements.	Closed – Implemented Revision of ER 1110-345-100 is in process and is expected to be published in late 1991. ER 1110-345-100 was revised and published on September 30, 1991.
Department of the Army	The Secretary of the Army should direct the Chief, Corps of Engineers, to ensure that the North Pacific Division include the three management control weaknesses identified in this report in the Division's next Financial Integrity Act report to ensure that corrective action will be taken.	Closed – Implemented The North Pacific Division listed three material weaknesses in its August 27, 1990 annual assurance statement.

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Army procurementBrand name specificationsConstruction contractsElectrical equipment industryFacility repairsIrregular procurementNoncomplianceSpecificationsMilitary forcesEngineering