SAVE Award 2011 Government Accountability Office

In theory the programs work, but in practice there are too many flaws. Contractors know these flaws and capitalize on them. The government needs to fix these flaws or get rid of the programs altogether. The programs were intended to give opportunities to small businesses. For example, the 8(a) program gives qualified contractors the opportunity to receive "sole-source" contracts (not exceeding $3.5 million for goods and ...more »

I was first introduced to the reality of "use it or lose it" spending in the first year I began my government service as an enlisted U.S. Marine in 1993. This first experience involved being handed a government credit card, an internal SERVMART account, and was then directed to go to the self-service store to spend every last dollar remaining in the account on whatever was available, which was approximately $2,500. ...more »

No more new vehicles! I see alot of new mass gas consuming trucks. There is no need for a whole new fleet of trucks it's not economically resonsible. If they are aging then hire more personell to work in vehicle maintenance to create more jobs.

It is illogical and just down right WRONG to collect a pay check for doing nothing! Everyone collecting these funds should be required to do some sort of work, such as: sweep streets, clean parks, work at daycare centers, office help, cook /clean/assist at homeless shelters, clean beaches/bath houses/public rest areas, nursing homes, hospitals, libraries and so on and so on. What ever skills they have should be utilized ...more »

Establish an independent panel to review all disability claims. Advertise hotline for fraud. Re-evaluate what constitutes justification. Many instances people on disability are off work riding ATV's, hunting, and playing sports with their kids while those of us who work physically cannot do what they get paid to do, stay home.

Labor Rates for Government Contracts are determined using the Services Contract Act (SCA) of 1965. The premise of this, to make sure people are paid at a rate that is comparable to the locality, is excellent. The way this is implemented costs the government and tax payers a great deal of money. The SCA rates are calculated in arrears, often several years after the work is completed. This causes government contractors ...more »

Many veterans are returning home with physical limitations or returning home with no job to go to. Instead of using a contractor for our security jobs, use our vterans. Many veterans even with physical limitations could sit around and watch a camera for better security. This could save lots of money by doing away with the contractor and contracted employees, less unemployment benefits going out the door!

Have more Federal Agencies have IPhone App's.

This would allow greater and quicker access and enhance learning of fellow agencies. This would also allow more transparency and allow faster public access. We could have our computers streamline the information and delegate out the information.

I've seen quite a number of recommendations that appear to be reports of fraud, waste, and abuse. These include everything from inappropriate use of government vehicles to abuse of governement hiring practices. The GAO should receive a summary, especially of heavily trended topics that would appear to be fraud, waste, or abuse cases. Submitters should also consider this. If it's that bad, don't just wait until Save ...more »

Eliminate all Transit Subsidy Benefits to staff traveling to and from their home to their normal duty stations. This subsidy is not available to all staff members, abused by some and the amout of the subsidy benefit can be as much as doubled for members that live as little as 2 blocks away from eachother. The majority of workers in non- govt jobs do not get paid to travel from their homes to their jobsites and they ...more »

Create better communication between SSA and VBA regarding when a veteran starts receiving benefits. Typically I have seen veterans receive both at the same time. Eventually, the VBA asks for the refund of the payments that over lap. When a veteran calls to confirm that receipt of SSI/SSDI that payments may still continue to the veteran for 6-9 months. Creating a streamline process or better communication between agencies ...more »

Have like a federal e-library where all information is stored such as all HR, magazine subscriptions, news articles, etc. that employees can access to read. This would cut the cost of subscriptions and have a common communication site for all employees. Labeled Icons could be used instead of menus.

An across the board freeze on Federal Government production and other bonuses should be implemented immediately. If most government programs that deliver benefits are backlogged, why are we still awarding bonuses to Federal Employees? For example,Veterans who receive compensation benefits for service connected disabilities have not had a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in many years; Federal Employees at the Veterans ...more »

Do not use GSA for property management. Permit the Agencies to put bids out for local service contractors, etc. Permit the Agencies to obtain facilities that they deem appropriate and to put bids out for leasing of office space. Permit Agencies to obtain office supplies and working materials at a local retailers and not from GSA.

Be able to verify citizenship through DHS, verify SSN through social security, verify income through IRS, etc. could save so much time and energy and avoid fraud.

HAve our computers talk to each other and allow us to access information through a common web site.