Procurement Practices and Procedures of the Forest Service Intermountain Region

A limited survey was conducted of the procurement practices and procedures of the Forest Service Intermountain Region. The survey included a study of procedures for determining needs, obtaining competition, making purchases, and receiving and controlling materials or services acquired. GAO reviewed contracts for construction, maintenance and repair, tree thinning, tree planting, land appraisal, refuse removal, and vehicle rental. Open market, over-the-counter, and imprest fund purchases were also reviewed.

The survey showed that adequate competition was obtained, and although a breakdown of the procurement process was found on a small number of contracts, the region's procurement practices and procedures were generally satisfactory. Under one contract awarded for aircraft maintenance and repair, payments were made for charges at a flat rate although the contract did not authorize flat rate charges. A review of a construction project indicated a need for responsible officials to follow up on indicated construction deficiencies to assure that they are resolved. A contract for rewiring had a cost estimate which was not supported by a detailed engineering estimate, and officials were unable to provide justification or support for awarding this contract in an amount that exceeded the estimate by 48 percent. A review of two contracts for land appraisal services disclosed that the Forest Service was not always making a timely review of the contractor's land appraisal reports as required, and contract files did not always contain evaluation criteria for contractor selection. A contract for the preparation of required appraisals of Forest Service summer home sites was delayed to accelerate completion of other higher priority work. A contract for another appraisal was awarded 70 percent on the basis of technical aspects and 30 percent on the basis of cost which could subject the contract to charges of biased selection by unsuccessful bidders. Vehicles were purchased from a local supplier at a higher cost than if purchased from the Federal Supply Schedule contractor.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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