Summary

GAO reviewed the Department of State's electronic signature system.

GAO noted that: (1) State utilized an electronic signature system that was developed by the Corps of Engineers and was previously sanctioned by GAO's office; (2) adoption of the Corps system was used to reduce development risks and costs; (3) State estimates that using the Corps' system saved about $750,000 in development costs, accelerated the deployment of the system by about 30 months, and allowed State to field a production system about 9 months after contract award; (4) GAO considers this approach to be a best practice since it reduces the costs to perform a necessary function while reducing the development time and risks; and (5) it also demonstrates that one of the Corps' objectives in developing its electronic signature system--developing a system that can be used by other agencies--has been accomplished with overall benefits to the federal government.