Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Training
    • Class Registration
    • On-demand Training
    • GTPAC COVID-19 Resource Page
    • Veterans Verification Video
    • Other Training Audio & Video
  • Useful Links
  • Team Directory
    • Albany Counselor
    • Atlanta Counselors
    • Augusta Counselor
    • Carrollton Counselor
    • Columbus Counselor
    • Gainesville Counselor
    • Savannah Counselor
    • Warner Robins Counselor
  • Directions
    • Atlanta – Training Facility
    • Atlanta – Office
    • Albany
    • Augusta
    • Carrollton
    • Columbus
    • Gainesville
    • Savannah
    • Warner Robins
  • COVID-19
  • New Client Application
  • Contact Us

Audit Blames OMB’s Lack of Guidance for Shoddy Contracting Data

March 17, 2010 By ei2admin

By Emily Long 03/15/10 – NextGov.com –

The Office of Management and Budget has improved the transparency of federal spending but has limited tools to improve data quality and mandate agency compliance, according to observers.

Nextgov on March 12 reported that a Government Accountability Office audit found missing and inconsistent data on USAspending.gov, the federal contract awards database. The report blamed a lack of guidance from OMB for the incomplete and erroneous information.

One problem is the data is difficult to work with, a concern that extends beyond USAspending.gov, said Bill Allison, an analyst at the nonprofit Sunlight Foundation. There are enough “garbage in-garbage out” databases, and it’s difficult to accurately assess performance using shoddy data, he added.

According to the report, OMB has yet to issue specific guidance on how agencies should fill in required data fields and validate the information submitted to USAspending.gov. Spokesman Tom Gavin said OMB expects to release a plan for collecting, reporting and posting data this spring and also will relaunch the Web site with better navigation and search capabilities.

GAO also found that OMB has no system in place for mandating compliance and has relied on agencies to voluntarily submit award information. OMB wouldn’t identify specific steps for holding agencies accountable for complete and accurate reporting, saying only that officials will be aggressive in working with agency leaders to meet goals. In keeping with President Obama’s open government directive, agencies have designated a senior official accountable for the quality and standardization of all federal spending data.

“If you say, for example, restrict funding, that doesn’t help you get to your goal of getting agencies to comply,” said Craig Jennings, director of federal fiscal policy at the nonprofit OMB Watch, adding the government has few punitive options in dealing with delinquent agencies.

Allison agreed that censuring agencies could result in less data being made public. He said one strategy would be to create a career track to reward agency personnel who build transparency effectively.

“It’s one of the biggest problems the transparency community has,” he said. “Plenty of carrots, but what kinds of sticks?”

GAO’s audit also found that OMB so far has not included subcontractor award data on the USAspending.gov site, which was required by January 2009. The agency has not submitted yet an annual report to Congress on site use and reporting burdens on award recipients.

“Collecting data on every dollar the government spends is a huge undertaking,” Gavin said. “But moving forward we’re going to continue to be aggressive to put all the information out there.”

GAO’s investigation examined OMB’s compliance with the 2006 Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, which mandated the creation of a public database of federal awards data. Designed to increase transparency and accountability in the contracting process, the legislation required OMB to establish USAspending.gov by Jan. 1, 2008.

Allison said the Obama administration has an opportunity to execute transparency initiatives better than previous leadership, but this will require better agency compliance and improved openness.

——————————————————————————–

© 2010 BY NATIONAL JOURNAL GROUP, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: contract awards, federal contracting, government contracting, OMB

Recent Posts

  • OMB releases guidance related to small business goals
  • Are verbal agreements good enough for government contractors?
  • OMB issues guidance on impact of injunction on government contractor vaccine mandate
  • CMMC 2.0 simplifies requirements but raises risks for government contractors
  • OFCCP launches contractor portal initiating AAP verification program

Popular Topics

8(a) abuse Army bid protest budget budget cuts certification construction contract awards contracting opportunities cybersecurity DoD DOJ False Claims Act FAR federal contracting federal contracts fraud GAO Georgia Tech government contracting government contract training government trends GSA GSA Schedule GTPAC HUBZone innovation IT Justice Dept. marketing NDAA OMB SBA SDVOSB set-aside small business small business goals spending subcontracting technology VA veteran owned business VOSB wosb

Contracting News

OMB releases guidance related to small business goals

OMB issues guidance on impact of injunction on government contractor vaccine mandate

Changes coming to DOD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification under CMMC 2.0

Judge issues nationwide injunction halting enforcement of COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Nondisplacement of qualified workers is back, but with changes

Read More

Contracting Tips

Are verbal agreements good enough for government contractors?

CMMC 2.0 simplifies requirements but raises risks for government contractors

OFCCP launches contractor portal initiating AAP verification program

GAO rules that DoD may not require small business Joint Venture itself hold facility security clearance

Terminations for convenience clauses vs. mutual termination clauses

Read More

GTPAC News

VA direct access program events in 2022

Sandia National Laboratories seeks small business suppliers

Navy OSBP hosting DCAA overview (part 2) event Jan. 12, 2022

Navy OSBP hosting cybersecurity “ask me anything” event Dec. 16th

State of Georgia hosting supplier systems training on January 26, 2022

Read More

Georgia Tech News

Undergraduate enrollment growth reflects inclusive excellence

Georgia Tech delivers $4 billion in economic impact to the State of Georgia

Georgia Tech awards first round of seed grants to support team-based research

Georgia Tech announces inaugural Associate Vice President of Corporate Engagement

DoD funds Georgia Tech to enhance U.S. hypersonics capabilities

Read More

  • SAM.gov registration is free, and help with SAM is free, too
APTAC RSS Twitter GTPAC - 30th Year of Service

Copyright © 2022 · Georgia Tech - Enterprise Innovation Institute