Washington, D.C. Metro Area Law Firm Explains Function of the GAO

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Government Contract and Bid Protest Lawyer Experienced in Dealing with the GAO

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress by investigating how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. Often called the “congressional watchdog,” or “The Taxpayers’ Best Friend,” the work of the GAO is done at the request of congressional committees or subcommittees or is mandated by public laws or committee reports.

The GAO also establishes standards for audits of government organizations, programs, activities, and functions, and of government assistance received by contractors, nonprofit organizations, and other nongovernmental organizations. It is part of the legislative branch of the U.S. government, and supports congressional oversight by:

• Auditing agency operations to determine whether federal funds are being spent efficiently and effectively
• Investigating allegations of illegal and improper activities
• Reporting on how well government programs and policies are meeting their objectives
• Performing policy analyses and outlining options for congressional consideration
• Issuing legal decisions and opinions, such as bid protest rulings and reports on agency rules

Another role of the GAO is to advise Congress and the heads of executive agencies about ways to make government more efficient, effective, ethical, equitable and responsive, potentially leading to laws and acts that improve government operations and save the government and taxpayers billions of dollars.

If you need to learn more about the role of the GAO as it pertains to your bid protest or contract, contact a Washington, D.C. bid protest lawyer.

Comptroller General Heads the GAO

The president appoints the head of the GAO, also known as the Comptroller General of the United States, to a 15-year non-renewable term from a series of candidates proposed by Congress. Congress has the sole power to remove the comptroller general, but only through impeachment or joint resolution for specific reasons. Since 1921, there have been only seven comptrollers general, and no formal attempt has ever been made to remove a comptroller general.

Gene L. Dodaro became the eighth Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on December 22, 2010, after he was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Dodaro had been serving as Acting Comptroller General since March of 2008.

Contact a Washington, D.C. Bid Protest Law Firm Today

If you are looking for competent legal advice regarding filing a bid protest with the Government Accountability Office, contact the Whay Law Firm online or call (202) 448-9677 to schedule your initial case evaluation with an experienced bid protest attorney today.