GSA is supporting an active Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation into fraudulent activity discovered within SAM. Certain alleged bad actors have, through electronic means, used public information to impersonate legitimate entities and established new entity registrations for those entities in SAM. By establishing fraudulent entity registrations, alleged bad actors can potentially submit bids in U.S. Government procurement systems or ship deficient or counterfeit goods.
A key element of GSA's mission is to provide efficient and effective acquisition solutions across the Federal Government. SAM is essential to the accomplishment of that mission. In addition to federal contracts, federal assistance programs also rely upon the integrity and security of the information in SAM. Without assurances that information in SAM is protected and is at minimal risk of compromise, GSA risks losing the confidence of the federal acquisition and assistance communities. As a result, some entities may prefer not to do business with the Federal Government.
The increase in the annual reporting burden is based on a one-year time frame being used as the basis of the collection. The original information collection covered a six-month time period.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.