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B-180063 1 (1974-04-05)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaafrr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 



                  UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
                          WASHINGTON, D.C. 20548                   *9

PROCUREMENT AND SYSTEMS
  ACQUISITION DIVISION

     B-180063                                        LPR 5 1974

     The Honorable Arthur F. Sampson
     Administrator, General Services
       Adminis tration

     Dear Mr. Sampson:

          We have examined certain companies' practices in
     selling to the, Federal Government. Typically these prac-
     tices involve offers of premiums, such as small electrical
     appliances, as an inducement to employees to purchase the
     companies' products. The Wisconsin Department of Justice's
     investigqa.tigsof premiums given by chemical companies to
     municipal employees have resulted in 22 convictions on 100
     felony counts of brijbry and extortion as of February 8,
     1974. Additional investigations being conducted in several
     other States have established that the practice is wide-
     spread within local governments.

          In reviewing the purchasing activities at 11 Federal
     installations and cQnrKagcts for selected chemical products
     placed on the Federal Supply Schedules, we found 28 in-
     stances in which premiums were offered to Federal purchasing
     agents through brochures or catalogs. (See example en-
     closed.)  In our test we did not find that the Federal em-
     ployees accepted the premiums. Of course it is difficult
     to determine whether procurement personnel have accepted
     premiums.

          Under the circumstances it would seem appropriate for
     your agency to advise Federal purchasing offices of the sell-
     ing practices used by some suppliers and caution them as to
     the penalties involved in accepting such gifts. Also, you
     may wish to consider obtaining information on transactions
     with chemical suppliers at selected purchasing offices to
     assess whether further action is warranted.





        ;D09

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