Too Good to Be Used: Analyzing Utilization of the Test Program for Certain Commercial Items in the Air Force

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to analyze the Air Force's usage rate of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 13.5 Test Program for Certain Commercial Items. FAR 13.500(b) requires contracting officers to maximize the use of the test program when practicable. In addition to the FAR mandate, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), found it is in the government's best interest to use the program. According to a GAO report conducted in February of 2014, titled Commercial Item Test Program Beneficial, but Actions Needed to Mitigate Potential Risks, the program improved contract lead-time and reduced required administration without an increase in overall risk to the government. Therefore, underutilization of the program will identify inefficiencies in the procurement process. This research seeks to use the Federal Procurement Data System Next Generation (FPDS NG) data to identify the usage rate of the FAR Subpart 13.5 Test Program for Certain Commercial Items in the Air Force and provide potential recommendations to increase and improve the test program's use.