Need for Improvement by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Certain Management Areas

An examination of the financial statements of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Fund for fiscal years 1976 and 1977 showed the need for corrective actions in the areas of: inspection of raw materials and stores in the receiving area, receiving reports, and inventory layout. Inventory items should be inspected promptly in the receiving area and either returned if defective or placed in inventory. Seventeen items were observed in the receiving area that had been there from 5 to 15 days. Purchase orders should be prepared for each purchase with one copy forwarded to the receiving department. This copy should have the number of units ordered blacked out so that an independent count is made by department personnel. In inventories of 112 stores items, there were 87 differences in counts performed by the Stock Catalog and Property Utilization Section, Supply Branch, and the Stock Control Section. Good physical layout of inventory items is needed for a proper count of physical inventory, quick location of items, and ease in keeping locator records. Corrective actions have been proposed by staff members.