Limited Survey of the Need To Delay Implementation of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984

In response to a congressional request, GAO performed a survey of selected federal organizations to determine: (1) their level of readiness to begin implementing the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984; (2) whether there were any anticipated problems in meeting the act's implementation date; and (3) whether there was a need for the implementation date to be delayed or extended.

Officials at 9 of the 15 organizations which GAO contacted said that an extension of the act's implementation date was not warranted at their locations. Officials at four organizations stated that time extensions ranging from 45 to 180 days should be granted, while two officials stated that a 30-day extension should be granted to those offices that want to exercise the option. The basic problem identified was the need to revise paperwork on solicitations and justifications in order to comply with the act's requirements. Out of 15 procurement officials interviewed, 3 felt that their problems in meeting the implementation date were very serious, 3 felt that they were moderately serious, 6 felt that they were manageable, and 3 felt that they had no problems. Eleven officials believed that the training level of the personnel responsible for compliance with the act in their organizations was satisfactory. Ten officials anticipated problems with new requirements relating to notices of proposed contract awards, solicitations, justifications, and contract award reporting; three officials expected problems in updating computer software; and three anticipated problems in other areas. Seven officials believed that a number of contract awards made after April 1, 1985, would be delayed because: (1) the solicitations would have to be revised in accordance with the act's requirements; or (2) procurement personnel were not yet familiar with all of the new competition requirements.