Trends in A/E Contracting

Gao ID: 107243 July 21, 1978

A preliminary examination was performed of trends with respect to the participation of small, new, and minority firms in the Corps of Engineers' A/E contracts.

Data are not available on the extent of contracting with minorities but, beginning in 1978, the Corps of Engineers has established goals of 5 percent of contracts and 5 percent of dollar value. With respect to small businesses, the majority of A/E firms fall within the Small Business Administration criteria, but only about the top 100 meet the $7.5 million criterion for engineering firms. The Corps of Engineers stated policy on new firms is to spread work around. Data developed regarding awards to new firms do not lend itself to any firm conclusion regarding trends throughout the government. The main concern expressed by personnel from the American Consulting Engineers Council was in the area of minority contracting. If any further work is to be performed at this time, it should be in this area.



The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.