LETTER TO HONORABLE HUGH E. WITT FROM LAWTON CHILES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78M02660R000800030009-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 19, 2005
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: June 4, 1976
• Content Type: LETTER

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I
.A. ABRAHAM RIrICOFF, CONN., CHAIRMAN SUBCOMMITTEE:
AHENRY N. JACKSON, WASH, Ap 4,t0WG frQ IF4.VLe lease 2005/02/10 : CIA-RDP78M f9%QP6QOt Od-;,; LL I P. WEICKER, JR., CONN.
JOHN L. WC CLELLAN. ARK . EDMUND S. MUSKIE. MAINE WILLIAM V. ROTH. JR., DEL LEE METCALF. MONT. WILLIAM V. ROTH, JR., DEL.
LEE METCALF, MONT. BILL BROCK. TENN. JAMES B. ALLEN. ALA. BILL BROOK, TENN.
JAMES U. ALLEN, ALA. LOWELL P. WEICKER, JR., CONN. JOHN GLENN, 01110
LAWTON CHILES, FLA.
SAM NUNN, GA. LESTER A. FETTIO
JOHN GLENN, OHIO CHIEF COUNSEL AND EITAFF DIRECTOR
CHIEF RICHARD A. /"'~1,1 . e (~ afez ,`{~{ry-.~~7 nyfb4ua$/
COUNSEL AND STAFF DWEGMAN A. STAFF DIRECTOR ~p~':JJ~i~,1 (4r ~Lg /'o`QiJr,-L} /VZJ f e
COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL SPENDING PRACTICES,
EFFICIENCY. AND OPEN GOVERNMENT
[phone]
(PURSUANT TO S. RES. 111. 14TH CONGRESS)
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20510
June 4, 1976
Honorable Hugh E. Witt
Administrator
Office of Federal Procurement Policy
Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office Of The President
New Executive Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Hugh:
This is to inform you of the subcommittee's plans to hold
oversight hearings on the OFPP.
We would like to time the hearings so that in addition to
overseeing the operations and activities of OFPP in general,
we might also concentrate on the progress being made in
implementing the new OMB Circular A-109 on Major Systems
Acquisition.
As you know from my letter of April 4, I am tremendously
concerned that the Major Systems Circular become an
operational reality within the full intent embodied in the
Procurement Commission's Part C Report, as supplemented by the
record of the subcommittee's eight days of hearings last year.
I realize that the six-month planning period for the agencies
to implement A-109 will not expire until October 5 and that
additional time would still be needed to form a true
assessment of the agencies' compliance efforts. However,
there is a strong possibility that the 94th Congress may
adjourn sine die by early October. This, then, would
necessitate holding our'oversight hearings before the planning
stage is completed, either in earlyAuqust or mid-September
(to accomodate congressional recesses).
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June 4, 1976
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The early timing may have some disadvantages, but an -
essential benefit would be to allow those agencies truly
committed to the Circular to note their progress and put
some early serious pressure on those agencies which I under-
stand are not making -- and do not at present appear intent on
making -- adequate changes in their procedures to comply
with A-109.
I will leave you to arrange the most mutually convenient
dates with the Staff Director, Les Fettig, but I wanted
to provide sufficient lead time for you to respond at the
hearings to another request.
As you well know, every Federal agency and office is rightfully
under the gun to justify its role and continued existence.
There is no more effective way to do so than to talk in dollars
and cents.
Therefore, between now and the oversight hearings, I would
like you to develop dollar estimates of the savings which
have been or could be generated by procurement reform
activities completed or underway.
I realize it may be difficult to generate quantitative
estimates of savings for many of the reform activities
undertaken since OFPP began operation. Nevertheless, I
would like to receive best estimates, even if in a range, as
..long as they are based on clearly understood assumptions that
may be necessary. We have some preferences on the approach
you take which I will leave you to coordinate with the sub-
committee staff.
I am-also writing to the Comptroller General to ask that
the General Accounting Office'provide whatever assistance
you may require for this project.
As always, I wish to cooperate with and support you and
the OFPP in its immense duties. I have tried to accomodate
the views you expressed in your May 24 letter regarding
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Honorable Hugh E. Witt
June 4, 1976
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contract disputes legislation which I introduced this
week and look forward to a complete discussion of
differences as the legislative process proceeds on this
and other subjects.
With best personal regards,
LC/da
LAW'T'ON `CHILES
Chairman
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