IN BRIEF : Army Boosts Role of Contract Bids

WASHINGTON —  The Army said today it has again raised its reliance on competitive bidding for the award of procurement contracts.

In a report to Congress on fiscal 1988 actions, the Army said $18.45 billion--or 61.6% of its total $29.94 billion in procurement dollars--was awarded to contractors after competitive bidding. This was an increase from 58.8% in fiscal 1987 and a jump over the 41.2% awarded on a competitive basis in fiscal 1983, a year before the Army began a drive to limit the use of sole-source contracts.

More than 93% of the individual contracts signed during fiscal 1988 were awarded after competitive bidding, up from 88% in fiscal 1987 and 48% in fiscal 1983, the Army said.