General Accountability Office (GAO) Board of Contract Appeals

With over 40 years of experience in government contract law, Malyszek & Malyszek has great knowledge in matters involving the GAO.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent agency which provides to the United States Congress audit, evaluation, and investigative services. It is part of the legislative branch of the United States government.

Over the years, the GAO has been referred to as "The Congressional Watchdog" and "The Taxpayers' Best Friend" for its frequent audits and investigative reports that have uncovered waste and inadequacy in government. The news, television, media, electronically based news sources, and print, often draw attention to the GAO's work by doing stories on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations in GAO reports.

Members of Congress also frequently cite the GAO's work in statements to the press, congressional hearings, and floor debates on proposed legislation. In 2007 the Partnership for Public Service ranked the GAO second on its list of best places to work in the federal government and Washingtonian magazine included the GAO on its 2007 list of great places to work in Washington, a list that encompasses the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

The GAO was established as the General Accounting Office by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921. According to the GAO's current mission statement, the agency exists to support the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people.

The act required the head of the GAO to "investigate, at the seat of government or elsewhere, all matters relating to the receipt, disbursement, and application of public funds, and shall make to the President ... and to Congress ... reports and recommendations looking to greater economy or efficiency in public expenditures”.

For more information regarding the General Accountability Office, contact the attorneys of Malyszek & Malyszek today for a free initial consultation.