| Description |
1 online resource (ii, 26 p.) : ill. |
| Note |
Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed Aug. 11, 2009). |
|
"August 2009." |
| Summary |
The America COMPETES Act gave the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), within the Department of Commerce, the authority, through 2010, to obtain the temporary services of up to 200 experts or consultants per year, but did not specify how the agency should acquire these services. NIST has used this authority to award personal services contracts to obtain the services of individuals. The act requires GAO to report on whether additional safeguards would be needed if NIST's authority were to be made permanent. To meet that requirement, GAO determined (1) the extent to which NIST has used its authority; (2) how effective the authority has been in helping NIST meet its need for experts; and (3) the extent to which NIST has provided appropriate safeguards over its use, and what additional safeguards are needed. GAO reviewed statutes, regulations, federal guidance, and NIST's contracts. In addition, GAO interviewed officials at NIST, Commerce, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If the Congress extends or makes the COMPETES Act authority permanent, it may want to consider clarifying how NIST is to obtain the services of experts. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-09-789." |
| Subject |
National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.) -- Rules and practice.
|
|
United States. America COMPETES Act.
|
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Letting of contracts -- Government policy -- United States.
|
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Public contracts -- United States.
|
| Added Author |
Mittal, Anu K.
|
| Added Title |
America COMPETES Act : National Institute of Standards and Technology applied some safeguards in obtaining expert services, but additional direction from Congress is needed |
|
NIST applied some safeguards in obtaining expert services, but additional direction from Congress is needed |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-09-789 |
|
