GAO said Monday the program has helped 12 participating companies to save a combined $18.5 million in administrative costs during fiscal 2013.
DoD launched the program in 1990 to examine whether the use of a single subcontracting plan can help larger companies save money and increase their small business partnerships.
The watchdog agency analyzed performance reports of participants and found a 72-percent success rate in their efforts to subcontract high-end technical work to small businesses from fiscal 2006 to fiscal 2013.
During that period, companies also exceeded aggregate subcontracting goals under the program by nearly $5.4 billion, the report states.
Businesses interviewed by GAO said the program’s test status hinders potential expansion of partnerships between large and small contractors.