Review of the National Center for Research in Vocational Education

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed certain activities of the National Center for Research in Vocational Education, focusing on the Center's project selection, quality control, accountability for revenue and expenditures, hiring of professional staff and consultants, and the salaries and benefits paid to employees. The Center is operated by a university research foundation under a 5-year renewable contract.

GAO found that: (1) the Center's procedures for selecting and managing research projects are in accordance with the terms of its contract; (2) its practices for hiring professional staff adequately provide for competitive selection; (3) the staff receives salary and benefits comparable to university personnel; and (4) the Center limits amounts paid to consultants. The Center is funded by the Department of Education, other federal agencies, and numerous nonfederal sources. A review of selected transactions indicated that both federal and nonfederal funds were being expended in accordance with the terms of the contract and were being properly recorded.