fda import automation: Serious management and systems development problems persist

Portions of a US General Accounting Office report on an information system being developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are presented. FDA's system, known as OASIS, was intended to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency's program for monitoring imported products. OASIS was initially planned to be fully implemented in September 1989, but development of the system is taking considerably longer than FDA officials expected. After 8 years and 3 software development contractors, FDA still does not have a fully functional automated import system. A recommendation is made that the Secretary of Health and Human Services direct the Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget and the Commissioner of the FDA to ensure that: 1. continuous top management oversight and systems expertise are provided to the FDA as it proceeds with its import automation effort, 2. FDA develops and maintains reliable cost and performance information, and 3. FDA follows sound systems development practices.