President Obama has signed an executive order directing agencies to review current pre-payment and pre-award procedures to ensure a thorough review of contracting databases that contain eligibility information prior to releasing funds.
At minimum, agencies must cross check contractors with the following databases to verify eligibility: the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File, GSA’s Excluded Parties List System, the Department of Treasury’s Debt Check Database, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Credit Alert System or Credit Alert Interactive Voice Response System, and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities.
These databases and others designated by OMB constitute a “do not pay list.” OMB has been ordered to come up with a plan by late October to complete integration of numerous contractor databases so agencies can access them all through a single point of entry.
Agencies have until late September to submit plans to OMB that include information on current pre-payment and pre-award procedures and a list of databases that agencies will check.
