Stronger Procurement Controls in the Far East Would Minimize Fraud and Abuse

Gao ID: PSAD-80-2 November 7, 1979

A review of U.S. Government procurement offices in the Far East found gaps in purchasing controls and reports of widespread collusion and bribery. At some locations, where controls were almost totally lacking, collusion and bribery were not even necessary to defraud the Government.

Prohibited and questionable purchases, questionable payments, purchases exceeding authority, inadequate competition, and bribery and collusion were found at most locations visited. Procuring organizations varied widely in their ways of buying and in their success at minimizing abuse. Offices with highly centralized authority and frequent, thorough internal reviews experienced fewer abuses. Also, aggressive corrective action where improprieties were identified helped to minimize abuse. Increased U.S. citizen control helped improve the enforcement of the controls on abuse.

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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