What is a common consequence of failure to maintain accurate records for GPC transactions?

The consequence of failing to maintain accurate records for GPC transactions primarily leads to an increased risk of fraud, waste, and abuse in the procurement process. Accurate record-keeping is essential for tracking purchases, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing an audit trail for accountability. Without proper records, it becomes difficult to verify whether transactions were legitimate, which can create opportunities for fraudulent activities or misuse of government funds.

Maintaining accurate records also helps in identifying and mitigating potential waste by ensuring that resources are used efficiently, which is critical in any procurement process. Inadequate documentation might lead to confusion about what was purchased, who authorized the transactions, and whether the items delivered met the specified requirements.

While decreased efficiency, a reduction in the cardholder's procurement authority, and improved vendor relationships are relevant to procurement operations, they are not direct consequences of record-keeping failures as significantly as the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. The primary focus should always be on the integrity and accountability of the procurement process, for which accurate records are fundamental.