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Defense Industrial Base: DOD's Manufacturing Technology Program Needs Systematic Evaluation

NSIAD-92-74 Published: Mar 12, 1992. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 1992.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed whether the Department of Defense (DOD) systematically tracks benefits from its Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program, focusing on the Office of the Secretary of Defense's (OSD) efforts to ensure that the: (1) ManTech Program is effectively implemented; and (2) benefits from ManTech projects are appropriately compiled and reported.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense As an integral part of completing the legislatively required ManTech Plan, the Secretary of Defense should revise the system of controls designed to provide assurances that the ManTech Program is being effectively implemented. Such a revised system should include guidance to ensure that the military services routinely and uniformly report on: (1) the extent to which they have sound rationales to demonstrate they are funding projects that industry would not fund on a timely basis; (2) the results of the projects measured against standardized criteria; and (3) their progress in meeting established program goals, priorities, and planned approaches.
Closed – Not Implemented
During the course of the GAO evaluation, the ManTech program was under the auspices of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Production and Logistics. Recently, the ManTech program was transferred to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DOD officials stated that the action plan that they had in process is no longer valid as a result of the reorganizational change.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should revise ManTech Program guidance to demonstrate how the military services' program data will be used to evaluate the ManTech Program.
Closed – Not Implemented
During the course of the GAO evaluation, the ManTech program was under the auspices of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Production and Logistics. Recently, the ManTech program was transferred to DARPA. DOD officials stated that the action plan that they had in process is no longer valid as a result of the reorganization change. The ManTech program will likely become a different program.

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Topics

Agency reportsCost effectiveness analysisDatabasesDefense procurementInformation systemsManagement information systemsManufacturing industryProgram evaluationReporting requirementsWeapons systems