GAO-21-501 COVID-19 CONTRACTING: Actions Needed to Enhance Transparency and Oversight of Selected Awards (July 2021)
GAO-21-501 COVID-19 CONTRACTING: Actions Needed to Enhance Transparency and Oversight of Selected Awards (July 2021)
Summary
GAO-21-501, "COVID-19 Contracting: Actions Needed to Enhance Transparency and Oversight of Selected Awards" (July 2021), a GAO report to congressional committees. It examines how DoD, HHS, and DHS used other transaction agreements to respond quickly to the pandemic, finding that the agencies obligated at least $12.5 billion via OTAs (including $7.2 billion DoD awarded through a single consortium management firm that passed most funds to five vaccine manufacturers). GAO identifies transparency and oversight gaps in federal procurement data and agency policies on consortium management firms, and makes 14 recommendations. A reference source on OTA use, consortia, and oversight risks.