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GAO’s recommendations database contains report recommendations that still need to be addressed. GAO’s priority recommendations are those that we believe warrant priority attention. We sent letters to the heads of key departments and agencies, urging them to continue focusing on these issues. Below you can search only priority recommendations, or search all recommendations.

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As of October 25, 2020, there are 4812 open recommendations, of which 473 are priority recommendations. Recommendations remain open until they are designated as Closed-implemented or Closed-not implemented.

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Subject Term: "Letter contracts"

1 publication with a total of 2 open recommendations including 2 priority recommendations

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Sole Source Contracting: Defining and Tracking Bridge Contracts Would Help Agencies Manage Their Use
GAO-16-15, Oct 14, 2015

Director: Michele Mackin
Phone: (202) 512-4841

2 open recommendations
including 2 priority recommendations

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Recommendation: To gain visibility and enable efficient management on the use of bridge contracts in federal agencies, the Administrator of OFPP should take appropriate steps to develop a standardized definition for bridge contracts and incorporate it as appropriate into relevant FAR sections.

Agency: Executive Office of the President: Office of Management and Budget: Office of Federal Procurement Policy
Status: Open
Priority recommendation

Comments: Staff from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) had previously told us that OFPP would be convening the FAR Council to discuss regulatory action after it completes the development of management guidance. In January 2020, OFPP staff stated that they are reviewing the extent to which this guidance is necessary moving forward, and noted that there is no estimated timeframe for completion of this review. However, in August 2020, OFPP staff said that in light of the focus on COVID and related priorities, OFPP does not have immediate plans to pursue guidance on bridge contracting at this time. OFPP staff noted that OFPP continues to work with agencies to help them effectively leverage acquisition flexibilities that reduce Procurement Acquisition Lead Times to reduce the need for bridge contracts. We continue to believe these actions are important to help ensure agencies do not continue to use these noncompetitive contracts frequently or for prolonged periods of time, thereby risking paying more than they should for goods and services .

Recommendation: To gain visibility and enable efficient management on the use of bridge contracts in federal agencies, the Administrator of OFPP should, as an interim measure, until the FAR is amended, provide guidance to agencies on (1) a definition of bridge contracts, with consideration of contract extensions as well as stand-alone bridge contracts; and (2) suggestions for agencies to track and manage their use of these contracts, such as identifying a contract as a bridge in a Justification and Approval (J&A) when it meets the definition, and listing the history of previous extensions and stand-alone bridge contracts back to the predecessor contract in the J&A.

Agency: Executive Office of the President: Office of Management and Budget: Office of Federal Procurement Policy
Status: Open
Priority recommendation

Comments: OMB staff had previously told us that they had drafted guidance, which included a definition for bridge contracts, and that it was under review. In January 2020, OMB staff stated that they are reviewing the extent to which this guidance is necessary moving forward and noted that there is no estimated timeframe for completion of this review. However, in August 2020, OFPP staff said that in light of the focus on COVID and related priorities, OFPP does not have immediate plans to pursue guidance on bridge contracting at this time. OFPP staff noted that OFPP continues to work with agencies to help them effectively leverage acquisition flexibilities that reduce Procurement Acquisition Lead Times to reduce the need for bridge contracts. We continue to believe these actions are important to help ensure agencies do not continue to use these noncompetitive contracts frequently or for prolonged periods of time, thereby risking paying more than they should for goods and services.