Pursuit's Take
Agencies have awarded about $2 billion per year to small businesses through the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
Since 2013, GAO has made 20 recommendations to the Small Business Administration and two other agencies that participate in the programs. Only about one-third of those recommendations have been implemented.
Fully implementing the remaining recommendations could improve the programs by improving compliance with spending and reporting requirements; increasing participation in the administrative pilot program; and enhancing fraud, waste, and abuse prevention activities.