Space Shuttle

External Tank Procurement Does Not Comply With Competition in Contracting Act Gao ID: NSIAD-89-62 December 28, 1988

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) competitive procurement plans for the development of space shuttle advanced solid rocket motors and external fuel tanks to determine whether NASA complied with the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA).

GAO found that NASA: (1) did not justify either its noncompetitive award for certain parts and materials needed in manufacturing the shuttle's external tanks or a proposed noncompetitive award for tank fabrication; (2) relied on a 1983 justification for the sole-source procurement, which did not meet CICA requirements; and (3) did not obtain approval of a justification for using noncompetitive procurement procedures, as CICA required. GAO believes that NASA could not properly justify its noncompetitive procurement of the required external tanks based on a 1983 justification without reconsidering the availability of competition.

Recommendations

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