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Postal Procurement: Ethics Violations Did Not Invalidate an Automation Contract

GGD-92-119 Published: Aug 13, 1992. Publicly Released: Aug 13, 1992.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS) acquisition of an image processing subsystem, focusing on the propriety of the contract that USPS awarded.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Postal Service To lessen the likelihood of further ethics violations on future USPS business trips, the Postmaster General should take action to better ensure that USPS employees comply with the provisions of USPS and governmentwide standards of conduct that prohibit accepting anything of value from vendors doing business with USPS.
Closed – Implemented
On September 2, 1992, the Postal Service sent a letter to contracting officers and procurement specialists reiterating the prohibitions against accepting anything of value from any person seeking or doing business with the Postal Service.
United States Postal Service To lessen the likelihood of further ethics violations on future USPS business trips, the Postmaster General should direct the USPS Designated Agency Ethics Official to take appropriate action with respect to those who committed the ethics violations.
Closed – Implemented
The individuals involved have been given counseling with regard to the requirements of the ethical conduct standards.

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Topics

Competitive procurementComputer equipment contractsConflict of interestsContractorsEthical conductGifts or gratuitiesIrregular procurementPostal service contractsSolicitation modificationsProcurement regulations