Procurement

State Department's Purchase of Silverware for Overseas Missions Gao ID: NSIAD-87-47 March 10, 1987

In response to a congressional request, GAO examined the Department of State's procurement of silverware for its overseas diplomatic missions, focusing on State's: (1) silverware needs; (2) procurement procedures; and (3) control over its current silverware inventory.

GAO noted that State's Office of Foreign Buildings Operations (FBO) was responsible for procuring silverware and initiating a silverware standardization program. GAO found that: (1) FBO violated the applicable procurement regulation in the initial contract award, resulting in contract provisions that did not ensure State ownership of the tools and dies needed to provide continuity in manufacturing the standard pattern; (2) FBO had inadequate controls over the contractor's and the diplomatic missions' silverware inventories; and (3) many missions failed to follow regulations regarding the disposal of silverware that the standard pattern replaced.

Recommendations

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