| Defense Acquisitions. Missile Defense Transition Provides Opportunity to Strengthen Acquisition Approach |
25 Feb 2010 |
62 pages |
| Authors:
Cristina Chaplain; David Best; LaTonya Miller; Ivy Huebler; Tom Mahalek; Steven Stern; Meredith A Kimmett; Wiktor Niewiadomski; Kenneth E Patton; Karen Richey; Robert Swierczek; Alyssa Weir; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
 | MDA's BMDS is being designed to counter ballistic missiles of all rang short, medium, intermediate, and long. Since ballistic missiles have different ranges, speeds, sizes, and performance characteristics, MD employing an integrated and layered architecture to provide multiple opportunities to destroy ballistic missiles before they can reach their targets. The system's architecture includes networked space-based sensors as well as ground- and sea-based radars, ground- and sea-based interceptor missiles, and a ... |
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| Coast Guard. Observations on the Requested Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, Past Performance, and Current Challenges |
25 Feb 2010 |
41 pages |
| Authors:
Stephen L Caldwell; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Coast Guard's budget request for fiscal year 2011 is slightly lower than the agency's 2010 enacted budget and year-to-year mission performance trends are mixed. The Coast Guard's fiscal year 2011 budget request of $9.87 billion is approximately $35.8 million (or 0.4 percent) less than the service's enacted budget for fiscal year 2010. The slight reduction is largely attributable to a decrease in funds requested for (1) acquisition, construction, and ... |
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| Military Personnel. DOD's and the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs Need to Be Further Strengthened |
24 Feb 2010 |
14 pages |
| Authors:
Brenda S Farrell; Randolph C Hite; Marilyn K Wasleski; Neelaxi Lakhmani; Divya Bali; Stacy Bennett; K N Harms; Jim La Due Houtz; Ron Lake; Kim Mayo; Adam Vodraska; Cheryl A Weissman; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| DOD has taken steps to implement our August 2008 recommendations to improve its sexual assault prevention and response program; however, its efforts reflect various levels of progress, and opportunities exist for further program improvements. To its credit, DOD has implemented four of the nine recommendations in our August 2008 report. First, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) established a working group to address our recommendation to evaluate the ... |
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| Veterans' Disability Benefits. Opportunities Remain for Improving Accountability for and Access to Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program |
24 Feb 2010 |
|
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
 | Through its disability compensation program, VA pays monthly benefits to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Under VA's BDD program, any member of the armed forces who has seen active duty-including those in the National Guard or Reserves?may apply for VA disability benefits prior to discharge. The program allows veterans to file for and potentially receive benefits earlier and faster than under the traditional claim process because medical records are more readily ... |
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| Military Personnel. Additional Actions Are Needed to Strengthen DOD's and the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs |
03 Feb 2010 |
66 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Why GAO Did This Study. Sexual assault is a crime with negative implications to military readiness and esprit de corps. In response to a congressional request, GAO, in 2008, reviewed Department of Defense (DOD) and U.S. Coast Guard sexual assault prevention and response programs and recommended a number of improvements. GAO was subsequently asked to evaluate the extent to which (1) DOD has addressed GAO's 2008 recommendations and further developed ... |
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| Littoral Combat Ship: Actions Needed to Improve Operating Cost Estimates and Mitigate Risks in Implementing New Concepts |
Feb 2010 |
51 pages |
| Authors:
John H Pendleton; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Navy plans to spend about $28 billion to buy 55 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and at least 64 interchangeable mission packages to perform one of three missions--mine countermeasures, antisubmarine warfare, and surface warfare--in waters close to shore. The Navy has been developing two different LCS seaframes and plans to select one for production in 2010. Due to the small 78-person crew size--40 core crew, 23 for aviation detachment, and ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions: Observations on the Department of Defense Service Contract Inventories for Fiscal Year 2008 |
29 Jan 2010 |
53 pages |
| Authors:
John P Hutton; William Solis; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Department of Defense (DOD) reported obligating roughly $200 billion on service contracts in fiscal year 2008. 10 USC 2330a requires DOD to collect data on the purchase of services, compile an inventory of those services, and submit the inventory to Congress annually. The inventory is to be made available to the public. Further, within 90 days of submission of the annual inventory to Congress, DOD must review the inventory ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions: Managing Risk to Achieve Better Outcomes |
20 Jan 2010 |
26 pages |
| Authors:
Paul Francis; Michael Golden; William Woods; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| In fiscal year 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) spent nearly $384 billion on contracts. This investment, representing over 70 percent of total government contract spending, highlights the great need to better manage risk in acquisitions. But DoD has not always managed risks effectively: major systems continue to take longer to develop, cost more, and deliver fewer quantities and capabilities than originally planned. In addition, poorly managed growth in services ... |
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| Military Recruiting: Clarified Reporting Requirements and Increased Transparency Could Strengthen Oversight over Recruiter Irregularities |
Jan 2010 |
62 pages |
| Authors:
Brenda S Farrell; Elizabeth McNally; Natalya Barden; Seth Carlson; K N Harms; Joanne Landesman; Katherine Lenane; Amber Lopez; Steven Putansu; Terry Richardson; Daniel Webb; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| To sustain a viable military force, the Department of Defense (DoD) depends on recruiting several hundred thousand qualified individuals into the military each year. The service components rely on their recruiters to act with the utmost integrity because even a single incident of wrongdoing on the part of a recruiter -- a recruiter irregularity -- can adversely affect the service components' ability to recruit qualified individuals. The most common types ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions: Status of DOD's Implementation of Independent Management Reviews for Services Acquisitions |
Jan 2010 |
25 pages |
| Authors:
John P Hutton; Timothy DiNapoli; E B Booth; Morgan D Ramaker; Christopher Mulkins; Thomas Twambly; Alyssa Weir; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Department of Defense (DOD) is the federal government's largest purchaser of contractor-provided services, obligating more than $207 billion on services contracts in fiscal year 2009. DoD contract management has been on GAO's high-risk list since 1992, in part because of continued weaknesses in DoD's management and oversight of contracts for services. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 directed DoD to issue guidance providing for independent management ... |
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| Defense Contracting: Recent Law Has Impacted Contractor Use of Offshore Subsidiaries to Avoid Certain Payroll Taxes |
Jan 2010 |
30 pages |
| Authors:
John K Needham; Amelia Shachoy; W W Russell; Jennifer Dougherty; Emily Gruenwald; Ami Ballenger; Noah Bleicher; Ken Patton; Susan Neill; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Many federal contractors establish offshore subsidiaries to take advantage of labor and market conditions. GAO has found that they also use offshore subsidiaries to reduce their U.S. tax burdens. In 2008, Congress passed the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax (HEART) Act, which resulted in contractor offshore subsidiaries paying certain payroll taxes for U.S. personnel working abroad. Fiscal year 2009's National Defense Authorization Act required GAO to report on the ... |
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| Defense Contracting: DOD Has Enhanced Insight into Undefinitized Contract Action Use, but Management at Local Commands Needs Improvement |
Jan 2010 |
51 pages |
| Authors:
John P Hutton; Penny B Augustine; Megan Hill; Rob Miller; Brian Smith; J A Walker; Julia Kennon; John Krump; Ken Patton; Bob Swierczek; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| To meet urgent needs, DoD can issue undefinitized contract actions (UCA), which authorize contractors to begin work before reaching a final agreement on contract terms. Such actions are considered to be a risky contract vehicle for the government because contractors lack incentives to control costs during this period. Defense regulations provide that the government determination of contractors' allowable profit or fee should reflect any reduced cost risk. Pursuant to the ... |
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| Electronic Health Records: DOD and VA Interoperability Efforts Are Ongoing; Program Office Needs to Implement Recommended Improvements |
Jan 2010 |
32 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have long-standing efforts to increase sharing of data between their health information systems. However, while the departments have progressively increased electronic health information sharing, questions have been raised about when and to what extent the departments intend such sharing capabilities to be fully achieved. To expedite the exchange of electronic health information between the two departments, the National ... |
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| Overseas Contingency Operations: Funding and Cost Reporting for the Department of Defense |
16 Dec 2009 |
27 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Objectives: Under the Comptroller General's authority, GAO evaluated: 1) the impact of changes to OCO funding guidance on DOD's fiscal year 2010 OCO funding request, 2) factors that could affect fiscal year 2010 OCO estimates for reducing troop levels in Iraq and increasing troop levels in Afghanistan, and 3) the extent of internal controls in DOD's process for producing its monthly OCO cost report to help ensure reliability of reported ... |
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| DOD Civilian Personnel. Intelligence Personnel System Incorporates Safeguards, but Opportunities Exist for Improvement |
Dec 2009 |
72 pages |
| Authors:
Brenda S Farrell; Marion Gatling; Beth Bowditch; Margaret Braley; Ryan D'Amore; Nicole Harms; Cynthia Heckman; Mae Jones; James P Krustapentus; McAllister; Lonnie II; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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| While early in its implementation of DCIPS, DOD has taken some positive steps to incorporate 10 internal safeguards into DCIPS, but opportunities exist to immediately improve the implementation of 2 of these safeguards and continued monitoring of all of the safeguards is needed. For example, DOD has taken some steps to, among other things, provide extensive training to employees on DCIPS and require feedback between employees and supervisors at the ... |
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| Defense Infrastructure: DOD Needs to Take Actions to Address Challenges in Meeting Federal Renewable Energy Goals |
Dec 2009 |
53 pages |
| Authors:
Mark Gaffigan; Brian J Lepore; Terrel Dorn; Susan Irving; Carol Henn; Ernie Hazera; Harold Van Reich; John Schaik; Leslie Bharadwaja; Kenneth Cooper; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Department of Defense (DoD) consumes about 60 percent of all energy used at federal government facilities. To encourage an increased use of energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, (1) the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the 2005 Act) directs DoD to consume at least 3 percent of its total electricity from renewable resources starting in fiscal year 2007; (2) Executive Order 13423 (the 2007 Executive ... |
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| Military Base Realignments and Closures: Estimated Costs Have Increased While Savings Estimates Have Decreased Since Fiscal Year 2009 |
13-Nov-2009 |
24 pages |
| Authors:
Susan Ditto; Gregory Marchand; Charles Perdue; Laura Talbott; Vijay Barnabas; John Beauchamp; Brandon Jones; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Department of Defense's (DOD) cost estimates to implement recommendations from the most recent Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round have steadily increased each budget year since 2005. This BRAC round is the fifth such round undertaken by DOD since 1988 and, by our assessment, it is the biggest, most complex, and costliest BRAC round ever. With this round, DOD plans to execute hundreds of BRAC actions affecting over 800 ... |
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| Defense Infrastructure: Guam Needs Timely Information from DOD to Meet Challenges in Planning and Financing Off-Base Projects and Programs to Support a Larger Military Presence |
13-Nov-2009 |
26 pages |
| Authors:
Kate Lenane; John Schaik; Richard Van Powelson; Richard Meeks; Amy Frazier; Josh Margraf; Brian Lepore; Harold Reich; Grace Coleman; Michael Willems; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The processes used by the government of Guam to develop the key cost estimates for planned off-base projects and programs varied depending on project or program value, complexity, and size; whether independent consultants provided input; and the extent to which DOD provided data to help set project requirements. As a result, the estimates prepared to date vary in quality, and the overall costs to develop supporting off-base infrastructure are still ... |
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| Afghanistan's Security Environment |
05-Nov-2009 |
21 pages |
| Authors:
Johnson; Charles M Jr; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| We have previously reported on security conditions in Afghanistan and the need for additional personnel to help build capable ANSF. This report provides updated information on (1) the security situation as gauged by trends in enemy-initiated attacks, (2) challenges for U.S. reconstruction efforts posed by security conditions, and (3) the recent increase in U.S. and coalition troop presence. |
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| Defense Infrastructure: The Army Needs to Establish Priorities, Goals, and Performance Measures for Its Arsenal Support Program Initiative |
05-Nov-2009 |
31 pages |
| Authors:
Brian J Lepore; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Our objective for this review was to determine the extent to which the Army has addressed the intended purposes set forth in the ASPI authorizing legislation. Additionally, in response to congressional interest, we have provided information in enclosure 2 of this report that discusses other available authorities that the Army uses or could use to improve the viability of its manufacturing arsenals. In response to direction by the conferees to ... |
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| Defense Logistics: Department of Defense's Annual Report on the Status of Prepositioned Materiel and Equipment Can Be Further Enhanced to Better Inform Congress |
04-Nov-2009 |
18 pages |
| Authors:
William M Solis; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| For this report, our objective was to determine what additional information in future DOD reports on the status of its prepositioned materiel and equipment could further inform congressional defense committees on these issues. We examined GAO and DOD reports on the services' prepositioned stock programs, reviewed relevant DOD and service policies, and met with DOD and service officials to determine whether additional information could further inform Congress on the status ... |
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| Operation Iraqi Freedom. Preliminary Observations on DOD Planning for the Drawdown of U.S. Forces from Iraq |
02-Nov-2009 |
30 pages |
| Authors:
Carole Coffey; Walker Fullerton; Laurier Fish; Carolyn Cavanaugh; Vincent Ballon; Greg Marchand; Jim Melton; Timothy DiNapoli; William M Solis; Guy LoFaro; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| While DOD's primary focus remains on executing combat missions and supporting the warfighters in Iraq, several DOD organizations have issued coordinated plans for the execution of the drawdown from Iraq within designated time frames. Furthermore, in support of these plans, processes have been established to monitor, coordinate, and facilitate the retrograde of equipment out of Iraq. Additionally, several organizations have been created to oversee, synchronize, and ensure unity of effort ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions; Strategic Airlift Gap Has Been Addressed, but Tactical Airlift Plans Are Evolving as Key Issues Have Not Been Resolved |
Nov-2009 |
55 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| DOD uses a variety of aircraft to move weapons, equipment, and troops from the United States to and within theaters of operation. C-5s and C-17s are used for strategic airlift. They carry weapons and equipment too large for any other DOD aircraft from the United States to staging locations throughout the world. The family of C-130 aircraft, which includes the C-130E, C-130H, and C-130J aircraft, is then the primary asset ... |
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| Military and Veterans' Benefits: Analysis of VA Compensation Levels for Survivors of Veterans and Servicemembers |
Nov-2009 |
33 pages |
| Authors:
Daniel Bertoni; Kyle C Adams; Beverly Ross; Walter K Vance; Kirsten B Lauber; Gregory D Whitney; Daniel R Concepcion; Paul R Schearf; Melissa H Emrey-Arras; Susan L Aschoff; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| We study the local reactivity of molecular oxygen with bimetallic substrates of a platinum trimer island supported on nanotips of CoPt, Pt, Co, Ni, and Fe. Because of the reduced interatomic distances and varying interaction strengths with the substrates, the supported island interaction with oxygen can be tuned from stronger to weaker relative to the interaction of a freestanding island with oxygen despite that there is no well-behaved trend with ... |
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| Defense Health Care: Post-Deployment Health Reassessment Documentation Needs Improvement |
Nov-2009 |
59 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Department of Defense (DOD) implemented the post-deployment health reassessment (PDHRA), which is required to be administered to servicemembers 90 to 180 days after their return from deployment. DOD established the PDHRA program to identify and address servicemembers' health concerns that emerge over time following deployments. This report is the second in response to a Senate Armed Services Committee report directing GAO to review DOD's administration of the PDHRA, and ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions: Further Actions Needed to Address Weaknesses in DOD's Management of Professional and Management Support Contracts |
Nov-2009 |
51 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| In fiscal year 2008, the DOD obligated $200 billion on services contracts, including $42 billion for professional and management services. GAO previously identified weaknesses in DOD's management and oversight of services contracts, contributing to DOD contract management being on GAO's high-risk list. For selected professional and management support contracts, GAO was asked to examine (1) the extent to which DOD considered the risks of contractors closely supporting inherently governmental functions ... |
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| Warfighter Support. Challenges Confronting DOD's Ability to Coordinate and Oversee Its Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Efforts |
29-Oct-2009 |
23 pages |
| Authors:
William M Solis; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Improvised explosive devices (IED) are the number-one threat to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, accounting for almost 40 percent of the attacks on coalition forces in Iraq. Although insurgents' use of IEDs in Iraq has begun to decline, in Afghanistan the number of IED incidents has significantly increased. The Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) was created to lead, advocate, and coordinate all DOD efforts to defeat IEDs. Its primary role ... |
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| International Food Assistance: A U.S. Governmentwide Strategy Could Accelerate Progress Toward Global Food Security |
29 Oct 2009 |
20 pages |
| Authors:
Thomas Melito; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The number of undernourished people worldwide now exceeds 1 billion, according to the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of food insecurity, with 1 out of every 3 people undernourished. Global targets were set at the 1996 World Food Summit and reaffirmed in 2000 with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) when the United States and more than 180 nations pledged to halve ... |
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| Military Training: DOD's Report on the Sustainability of Training Ranges Addresses Most of the Congressional Reporting Requirements and Continues to Improve with Each Annual Update |
27-Oct-2009 |
21 pages |
| Authors:
Brian J Lepore; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Because the military faces obstacles in acquiring new training lands, the preservation and sustainment of its current lands is a priority. Sustainable training range management focuses on practices that allow the military to manage its ranges in a way that ensures their usefulness well into the future. As required by section 366(a) of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (as amended),1 DOD was to submit ... |
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| DEFENSE MANAGEMENT: Widespread DCAA Audit Problems Leave Billions of Taxpayer Dollars Vulnerable to Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement |
15-Oct-2009 |
18 pages |
| Authors:
Gregory D Kutz; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| In fiscal year 2008, the Department of Defense (DOD) obligated over $380 billion to federal contractors, more than doubling the amount it obligated in fiscal year 2002. With hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars at stake, the government needs strong controls to provide reasonable assurance that contract funds are not being lost to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) is charged with a critical role ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions. Rapid Acquisition of MRAP Vehicles |
08-Oct-2009 |
16 pages |
| Authors:
Michael J Sullivan; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| As of July 2008, about 75 percent of casualties in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan were attributed to improvised explosive devices. To mitigate the threat from these weapons, the Department of Defense (DOD) initiated the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) program in February 2007, which used a tailored acquisition approach to rapidly acquire and field the vehicles. In May 2007, the Secretary of Defense affirmed MRAP as DOD's most ... |
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| Briefing on Air Force's Response on Fee-For-Service Aerial Refueling |
05-Oct-2009 |
19 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Section 1081 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 calls for the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of utilizing commercial fee-for-service air refueling tanker aircraft for Air Force operations.1 In response to your May 2009 letter to the Secretary of the Air Force requesting an update on the status of this pilot program, the Air Force ... |
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| PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCES. An Outcome-Focused Strategy and Comprehensive Reporting of Timeliness and Quality Would Provide Greater Visibility over the Clearance Process |
01-Oct-2009 |
17 pages |
| Authors:
Brenda S Farrell; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Personnel security clearances are used to verify that national security information-which in some cases could cause exceptionally grave damage to U.S. national defense or foreign relations if disclosed-is entrusted only to individuals who have proven reliability and loyalty to the nation. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the nation's defense and intelligence needs grew, prompting increased demand for personnel with security clearances. |
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| WARFIGHTER SUPPORT: Independent Expert Assessment of Army Body Armor Test Results and Procedures Needed Before Fielding |
Oct-2009 |
111 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Army has issued soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan personal body armor, comprising an outer protective vest and ceramic plate inserts. GAO observed Preliminary Design Model testing of new plate designs, which resulted in the Army?s awarding contracts in September 2008 valued at a total of over $8 billion to vendors of the designs that passed that testing. Between November and December 2008, the Army conducted further testing, called First ... |
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| DEFENSE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE: Actions Needed to Improve the Identificaiton and Management of Electrical Power Risks and Vulnerabilities to DOD Critical Assets |
Oct-2009 |
92 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Department of Defense (DOD) relies on a global network of defense critical infrastructure so essential that the incapacitation, exploitation, or destruction of an asset within this network could severely affect DOD's ability to deploy, support, and sustain its forces and operations worldwide and to implement its core missions, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as its homeland defense and strategic missions. In October 2008, DOD identified its ... |
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| Defense Infrastructure: DOD Needs to Provide Updated Labor Requirements to Help Guam Adequately Develop Its Labor Force for the Military Buildup |
Oct-2009 |
32 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Department of Defense (DOD) plans to increase its military presence on Guam from about 15,000 in 2009 to more than 39,000 by 2020 at a cost of more than $13 billion. The growth will create temporary construction jobs and permanent civilian jobs with the military, with contractors, and in the Guam community. GAO was asked to examine the extent to which DOD and the government of Guam have (1) ... |
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| Warfighter Support. Actions Needed to Improve Visibility and Coordination of DOD's Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Efforts |
Oct-2009 |
45 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| With the escalation of the IED threat in Iraq, DOD identified several counter-IED capability gaps and began focusing on addressing counter- IED issues. These counter-IED gaps included shortcomings in the areas of counter-IED technologies, qualified personnel with expertise in counter-IED tactics, training, dedicated funding, and expedited acquisition processes. DOD's efforts to address these gaps culminated in the creation of JIEDDO in 2006. Prior to JIEDDO's establishment, many different DOD entities ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions. Challenges in Aligning Space System Components |
Oct-2009 |
44 pages |
| Authors:
Greg Campbell; John Krump; Don Springman; Cristina T Chaplain; Michael Aiken; John Crawford; Claire Cyrnak; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| DOD's major space system acquisition programs are intended to perform a wide variety of functions, including communications, missile warning, navigation, tracking space objects, and even providing weather information. Communication satellites provide DOD the ability to communicate along narrowband, wideband, and secure and protected bandwidths. Narrowband communications use lower (slower) rates to process data and give the warfighter the ability to communicate better while on the move, and also work better ... |
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| Human Capital. Monitoring of Safeguards and Addressing Employee Perceptions Are Key to Implementing a Civilian Performance Management System in DOD |
Oct-2009 |
77 pages |
| Authors:
Brenda S Farrell; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| In 2004, the Department of Defense (DOD) began implementing the National Security Personnel System (NSPS)--a human capital system for DOD civilians. NSPS significantly redesigned the way DOD civilians are hired, compensated, and promoted. Pub. L. No. 110-181 mandated that GAO conduct reviews of the NSPS performance management system in calendar years 2008, 2009, and 2010. In this report, GAO assessed (1) the extent to which DOD has implemented certain internal ... |
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| Formerly Used Defense Sites. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Needs to Improve Its Process for Reviewing Completed Cleanup Remedies to Ensure Continued Protection |
Oct-2009 |
81 pages |
| Authors:
James; Arthur Jr; Pamela Davidson; Antoinette Capaccio; Mark Braza; Melissa Hermes; Krista Anderson; Vincent P Price; John B Stephenson; John Smith; Allison O'Neill; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Under DERP, DOD is required to carry out a program of environmental restoration activities at sites located on former and active defense installations that were contaminated while under DODs jurisdiction. The goals of the program include the identification, investigation, research and development, and cleanup of contamination from hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants; the correction of other environmental damage (such as detection and disposal of unexploded ordnance) which creates an imminent ... |
|
| HOMELAND DEFENSE. Planning, Resourcing, and Training Issues Challenge DOD's Response to Domestic Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive Incidents |
Oct-2009 |
65 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| DOD plays a support role in managing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High- Yield Explosives (CBRNE) incidents, including providing capabilities to save lives, alleviate hardship or suffering, and minimize property damage. This report addresses the extent to which (1) DOD's CBRNE consequence management plans and capabilities are integrated with other federal plans; (2) DOD has planned for and structured its force to provide CBRNE consequence management assistance; (3) DOD's CBRNE ... |
|
| Contingency Contracting. DOD, State, and USAID Continue to Face Challenges in Tracking Contractor Personnel and Contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan |
Oct-2009 |
68 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Departments of Defense (DOD) and State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have relied extensively on contractors to provide a range of services in Iraq and Afghanistan, but as GAO has previously reported, the agencies have faced challenges in obtaining sufficient information to plan and manage their use of contractors. As directed by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, GAO analyzed DOD, State, ... |
|
| Defense Acquisitions: Army Aviation Modernization Has Benefited from Increased Funding but Several Challenges Need to Be Addressed |
28-Sep-2009 |
50 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Army's current efforts to transform and modernize its aviation assets began in 1999, seeking to maintain and improve the warfighting capabilities of the existing force as well as to invest in science and technology in a way that improved the future force. To accomplish these goals, the Army focused on upgrading and modernizing existing equipment, rapidly fielding new equipment, incorporating new technologies as they became available, and restructuring aviation ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions: Department of Defense Needs a Unified Strategy for Balancing Investments in Tactical Wheeled Vehicles |
28-Sep-2009 |
31 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Ground-based military operations generally make use of two broad categories of vehicles: combat vehicles designed for a specific fighting function and tactical vehicles designed primarily for use by forces in the field in connection with or in support of tactical operations. Combat vehicles generally move on tracks versus wheels and include the Abrams tank, Bradley Fighting vehicle, and the Paladin self-propelled howitzer. Tactical vehicles generally move on wheels and include ... |
|
| Afghanistan and Pakistan: Oversight of U.S. Interagency Efforts |
09-Sep-2009 |
17 pages |
| Authors:
Hynek Kalkus; Jim Michels; Farahnaaz Khakoo; Brandon Hunt; Thomas M Costa; Pierre Toureille; Joseph Carney; Jacquelyn Williams-Bridgers; David Hancock; Judy McCloskey; Sara Olds; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| GAO has identified Afghanistan and Pakistan as two of the most urgent issues facing this Administration and this Congress. In March, the President announced a strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, with a broad strategic goal of disrupting, dismantling, and defeating Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan; destroying its allies and safe havens in Pakistan; and preventing their return to Pakistan or Afghanistan. With additional U.S. resources and attention focusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan, ... |
|
| DCAA Audits: Widespread Problems with Audit Quality Require Significant Reform |
Sep-2009 |
154 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) under the Department of Defense (DOD) Comptroller plays a critical role in contractor oversight by providing auditing, accounting, and financial advisory services in connection with DOD and other federal agency contracts and subcontracts. Last year, GAO found numerous problems with DCAA audit quality at three locations in California, including the failure to meet professional auditing standards. This report addresses audit quality issues at DCAA ... |
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| Military Airlift: DOD Should Take Steps to Strengthen Management of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet Program |
Sep-2009 |
36 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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| To move passengers and cargo, the Department of Defense (DOD) must supplement its military aircraft with cargo and passenger aircraft from commercial carriers participating in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program. Carriers participating in CRAF commit their aircraft to DOD to support a range of military operations. In the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress required DOD to sponsor an assessment of CRAF and required GAO to ... |
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| Contract Management: Agencies Are Not Maximizing Opportunities for Competition or Savings under Blanket Purchase Agreements despite Significant Increase in Usage |
Sep-2009 |
49 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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| The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) allows agencies to establish blanket purchase agreements (BPA) under the General Services Administration's (GSA) Schedules Program, where contracts are awarded to multiple vendors for commercial goods and services and made available for agency use. BPAs are agreements between agencies and vendors with terms in place for future use; funds are obligated when orders are placed. When establishing BPAs under schedule contracts, agencies must follow procedures ... |
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| Homeland Defense. U.S. Northern Command Has a Strong Exercise Program, but Involvement of Interagency Partners and States Can Be Improved |
Sep-2009 |
90 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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| U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) exercises to test preparedness to perform its homeland defense and civil support missions. GAO was asked to assess the extent to which NORTHCOM is (1) consistent with Department of Defense (DOD) training and exercise requirements, (2) involving interagency partners and states in its exercises, (3) using lessons learned and corrective actions to improve preparedness, and (4) integrating its exercises with the National Exercise Program (NEP). To ... |
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| Military Base Realignments and Closures. Transportation Impact of Personnel Increases Will be Significant, but Long-Term Costs are Uncertain and Direct Federal Support is Limited |
Sep-2009 |
43 pages |
| Authors:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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| As part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round, the Department of Defense (DOD) plans to relocate over 123,000 military and DOD civilian personnel, thereby increasing the staffing at 18 bases nationwide. In addition, DOD and local officials expect thousands of dependents and DOD contractor employees to relocate to communities near the BRAC 2005 growth bases. These actions will greatly increase traffic in the surrounding communities. BRAC recommendations ... |
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