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089568 1 (1976-03-31)

handle is hein.gao/gaobacvpj0001 and id is 1 raw text is: UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON REGIONAL OFFICE .FIFTH FLOOR 803 WEST BROAD STREET FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA 22046 MAR 3 J. 1976 The Honorable S. Dillon Ripley Secretary, Smithsonian Institution Dear Mr. Ripley: We have been studying the management procedures for assuring adherence to the Government policy requiring the acquisition of compact and subcompact passenger vehi- cles to conserve fuel (GAO Code 943434). We made our Government-wide study at the General Services Adminis- tration (GSA), several other civil agencies, and the Department of Defense. Our observations at the Smith- sonian Institution are discussed below. ORDERING LARGE STATION WAGONS WITHOUT CERTIFICATION During fiscal year 1975, the Smithsonian Institution ordered four intermediate size station wagons through GSA without certifying and justifying, as required, that they were necessary for the Institution's mission. Officials indicated that these vehicles were required to transport paintings, sculptures, and similar articles. Federal Property Management Regulation 101-26.5--GSA Procurement Programs--provides that compact and subcom- pact sedans and station wagons shall be acquired unless the agency head or his designee certifies to GSA that larger vehicles are required for law enforcement or are otherwise essential to the agencys mission. Agencies are required to justify, in writing, and retain in their files, the need for each larger than compact passenger vehicle purchased. ORDERING MORE VEHICLES THAN INDICATED IN APPROPRIATION Two more passenger~motor vehicles were ordered than indicated in the fiscal year 1975 Appropriation Act. The