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Small Business: SBA Cannot Assess the Success of Its Minority Business Development Program

T-RCED-94-278 Published: Jul 27, 1994. Publicly Released: Jul 27, 1994.
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Highlights

GAO discussed the Small Business Administration's (SBA) progress in implementing changes to its 8(a) business development program as required by the Business Opportunity Development Reform Act of 1988. GAO noted that: (1) SBA cannot evaluate the program's overall success in developing competitive minority businesses because of the lack of program information; (2) although SBA awarded more 8(a) contracts competitively during fiscal year (FY) 1992, the awards continue to be concentrated among a few 8(a) firms; (3) about one-half of the 8(a) firms have not received contract awards since FY 1990; (4) SBA cannot determine if the 8(a) firms' new or revised business plans are being reviewed annually or if the firms are achieving their non-8(a) contracting goals; and (5) SBA has not properly planned the redesign of the program's management information system which delays its ability to provide Congress and program managers with fundamental 8(a) program information.

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Competitive procurementFederal procurementManagement information systemsMinority business assistanceMinority business contractsProgram evaluationSmall business assistanceSmall business contractorsStrategic information systems planningSystems designContract administration management systems