Defense Contracting: Sufficient, Reliable Information on DOD's Mentor-Protege Program Is Unavailable
NSIAD-98-92
Published: Mar 30, 1998. Publicly Released: Mar 30, 1998.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) Pilot Mentor-Protege Program, focusing on: (1) DOD's management of the program, including its efforts to evaluate the program's effectiveness; and (2) the manner in which program funds have been obligated.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress may wish to clarify mentor-protege program legislation as to whether mentors can be paid fees in addition to expenses and proteges can be reimbursed for various expenses. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Congressional action was not taken to address recommendation. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should instruct the Director, OSADBU, to strengthen OSADBU's performance reviews to ensure that sufficient and reliable information on program performance is gathered on planned and actual mentor assistance as well as on the protege firms' business development. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD said it would continue to make efforts to improve the reliability and sufficiency of data on the program. However, GAO in July 2001, in response to the 2000 National Defense Authorization Act, reported that DOD still lacks data integral to assessing the success of the Mentor-Protege Program. Therefore, this recommendation is now incorporated in the recommendation contained in Contract Management: Benefits of the DOD Mentor-Protege Program Are Not Conclusive (GAO-01-767, Jul. 17,2001)
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Budget authorityContract administrationDefense procurementDepartment of Defense contractorsEvaluation methodsInternal controlsProgram evaluationSmall business assistanceSmall business contractorsSubcontractors