Contracting
State's Administration of Certain Public Diplomacy Contracts Gao ID: NSIAD-88-34 October 30, 1987In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed contracting activities at the Department of State's Office of Public Diplomacy for Latin America and the Caribbean (LPD).
GAO found that LPD contracted with numerous individuals and companies because its work load increased significantly and it had insufficient staff resources. GAO also found that LPD failed to: (1) adequately justify the exclusive use of sole-source contracting; (2) amend solicitation specifications to reflect its actual needs; and (3) adhere to various other procurement requirements in awarding contracts, such as encouraging competition, obtaining contracting officers' approval before engaging contractors, and in one case, abiding by limitations on the salary paid to a retired military officer.