United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2007-07-17 monographic deposited born digital 28 p. GA 1.13:GAO-07-1098T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-1098T P0b002ee18037dc9e f:d071098t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-1098T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-1098T GAO-07-1098T Accountability Contract administration Federal procurement Federal procurement policy Policy evaluation Procurement planning Procurement practices Program management Strategic planning Testimony A72833 In fiscal year 2006, the federal government spent over $400 billion for a wide variety of goods and services, with the Department of Defense (DOD) being the largest purchaser. Given the large and growing structural deficit, the government must get the best return it can on its investment in goods and services. For decades, GAO has reported on a number of systemic challenges in agencies' acquisition of goods and services. These challenges are so significant and wide-ranging that GAO has designated four areas of contract management across the government to be high-risk. This testimony highlights four key acquisition challenges agencies face: (1) separating wants from needs, (2) establishing and supporting realistic program requirements, (3) using contractors in appropriate circumstances and contracts as a management tool, and (4) creating a capable workforce and holding it accountable. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-1098T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-1098T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-1098T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-1098T.pdf GAO-07-1098T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-07-1098T Testimony GAO-07-1098T; Federal Acquisitions and Contracting: Systemic Challenges Need Attention; Accountability Contract administration Federal procurement Federal procurement policy Policy evaluation Procurement planning Procurement practices Program management Strategic planning