HUD’s Processes for Managing IT Acquisitions

We reviewed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) ability to effectively complete information technology (IT) acquisitions.  HUD’s IT systems and its modernization plans depend heavily on contractors, yet HUD has historically faced significant challenges with implementing effective acquisition processes. Therefore, HUD’s acquisition capacity represents a key potential risk within HUD’s IT environment. We found that a lack of staffing capacity, implementation of effective coordination and communication practices, and effective oversight of management controls over acquisition processing. HUD officials acknowledged that IT acquisition process improvements are needed and have taken steps toward addressing deficiencies. This evaluation report contains five recommendations to assist in continued successes for future acquisition efforts.