Market Research: Better Documentation Needed to Inform Future Procurements at Selected Agencies

Abstract : The federal government spends hundreds of billions of dollars annually to acquire goods and services from the private sector to support agency missions. Market research the process used to collect and analyze data about capabilities in the market that satisfy agency needs is critical to inform decisions about how best to acquire these goods and services. GAO was asked to examine how federal agencies conduct and use market research. This report assesses (1) selected agencies market research guidance and policy and (2) how selected agencies conducted market research on selected procurements. GAO reviewed federal regulations and market research policy and guidance at DOD, DHS, and DOT three agencies GAO selected based on fiscal year 2012 contract obligations and the mix of products and services procured. GAO also reviewed policies and guidance issued by the FAA, which is not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation. To assess how market research was conducted on individual contracts, GAO reviewed a nongeneralizable sample of 28 contracts selected based on dollar value and analyzed contract files. To inform future acquisitions, GAO recommends that the Secretary of Transportation update its market research guidance and the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security take action to ensure their acquisition personnel clearly document the basic elements of the market research that was conducted. The agencies concurred with these recommendations.