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DOCUMEN~T RESUME
06928 - [B2147193]
[GSA's Procurement of Household Goods Containers]. PSAD-78-132;
B-114807. Auqust 1, 1978. 7 pp. + enclosure (1 pp.).
Report to Sen. Lawton Chiles, chairmar, Senate Committee on
Governmental Affairs: Federal Spending Practices and Opex
Government Subcommittee; by Elmer B. Staats, Comptroller
General.
Issue Area: Federal Procurement of Goods and Services (1900).
Contact: Procurement and Systems Acquisition Div.
Budqet Function: Financial Management Infcrmation Systems:
Review and Approval of Accounting Systems (1007).
Orqanization Concerned: General Serv'ces Administration.
Conqressional Relevance: Senate Ccm .tee on Governmental
Affairs: Federal Sp-nding Practices and Open Gcvernment
Subcommittee. Sen. Lawton Chiles.
Authority: Militaty Standard 1489A.
Ten contracts for household goods containers awarded by
the Gjneral Services Administration (GSA) since October 1S75
were reviewed to determine the amount spent on these containers,
reasons for continued specification revisions, and the
possibility of using a performance or commercial specification.
The containers .re constructed of plywood, cau ke readily
assembled ard disasseibled, and are used priiarily tc ship
household furnishings over long distances. From June 1975 to
March 1978, GSA modified the quality assurance provisioLs, the
type of fasLening system to be used, dimensions of the materials
used, and the methods cf nailing and stapling. GSA has often
revi-sed ito detailed dcsign sjcification to correct
deficiencies noted during testing. Performance testing has been
inconsistent and should bs improved. GSA and the military
services are considering iuin<g a performance specificaticn to
purchase hou, sehold nocds containers. The Air Force submitted the
only two complints in the files about the poor quality of GSA
containers. GSA should determine the feasitility of
discontinuing the purchase cf househcld gocds containers, and if
it finds that purchasing the containers is cost-effective, it
should promptly develop a performance specification and improve
testinq. An appropriate testing standard for ccntainers shoild
be established to ensure that testing is performed consisten-:ly
and in accordance with the standard. (ERS)](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobaaxvn0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)