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Return to Article: GSA to minimize auditors' role in pre-contract award reviews

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  Digging out will only occur if voters act rationally and sanely at the polls on Nov 7. To do otherwise is merely to "stay the course," which is leading us down to the 7th circle of you-know-where. We need oversight more than ever these days. I pray we get it right this time.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 23, 2006 2:18 PM
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  Bravo! This, I predict, will have a significantly greater effect than all of GSA's previous efforts to get user agencies to seek competition between multiple-award schedule holders, or enter into further price negotiations with them. If anyone in the government procurement still places much reliance on GSA's ability to offer contracts representing the best prices, let alone value, this should dispel any lingering delusion. The contention that private sector auditors will be able to do a better job of price reviews than a government entity is just lame -- the GSA acting deputy inspector general's statement notwithstanding. If you want to ensure that you're getting the best deal, buyers have to play hardball. Of course, now that the new FAS has a proven acquisition professional at the helm, maybe this boat will get turned into the wind.

  Mark S. Pfeiffer Posted October 20, 2006 1:08 PM
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  I am thankful for Govexec.com's honest coverage of contracting issues, which has extended to the risky territory of severe over-charging of taxpayers by contractors. Honest contractors and consultants have nothing to fear from the long established practice of inspector general oversight. Why is this oversight being outsourced during a time where we hear every day of a new case of corruption involving crooked contractors and their lobbyists?

  This is not the way to improve the government or the country. I thought we had decided to start digging out and solve problems.

  Joseph Posted October 19, 2006 9:06 PM