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Contingency Operations: Opportunities to Improve the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program

NSIAD-97-63 Published: Feb 11, 1997. Publicly Released: Feb 11, 1997.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP), focusing on: (1) the extent to which the Army is using the program; (2) reasons for increases in the program's cost for the Bosnia peacekeeping mission; (3) opportunities to improve program implementation from a doctrine, cost control, and contract oversight standpoint; (4) the use of LOGCAP in Somalia, Rwanda, and Haiti; and (5) the potential for inefficiency by having similar support contract programs in the Navy and the Air Force.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense As part of the effort to improve LOGCAP, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to include specific changes to LOGCAP that incorporate lessons learned from the Bosnian operation and other missions, including developing doctrine and guidance for implementing LOGCAP that identify the way to use the contractor effectively, the type of management structure to establish, financial control and oversight requirements, and mission planning considerations.
Closed – Implemented
DOD recognized that improvements to the use of contractor support services were needed and transferred program management responsibilities from the Corps to AMC. As a part of that transfer AMC officials worked with U.S. Army officials to identify problems experienced in Bosnia and implemented changes to improve planning and management and reduce costs. These actions include changing planning scenarios, developing doctrine and guidance, improving financial management and contract monitoring systems, and providing assistance to commanders when LOGCAP is implemented.
Department of Defense As part of the effort to improve LOGCAP, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to include specific changes to LOGCAP that incorporate lessons learned from the Bosnian operation and other missions, including providing training to commanders on using LOGCAP, including information on contractor capabilities and roles and responsibilities in planning and execution.
Closed – Implemented
DOD recognized that improvements to the use of contractor support services were needed and transferred program management responsibilities from the Corps to AMC. As a part of that transfer AMC officials worked with U.S. Army officials to identify problems experienced in Bosnia and implemented changes to improve planning and management and reduce costs. These actions include changing planning scenarios, developing doctrine and guidance, improving financial management and contract monitoring systems, and providing assistance to commanders when LOGCAP is implemented.
Department of Defense As part of the effort to improve LOGCAP, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to include specific changes to LOGCAP that incorporate lessons learned from the Bosnian operation and other missions, including providing assistance to commands when LOGCAP is implemented to include deployable management teams.
Closed – Implemented
DOD recognized that improvements to the use of contractor support services were needed and transferred program management responsibilities from the Corps to AMC. As a part of that transfer AMC officials worked with U.S. Army officials to identify problems experienced in Bosnia and implemented changes to improve planning and management and reduce costs. These actions include changing planning scenarios, developing doctrine and guidance, improving financial management and contract monitoring systems, and providing assistance to commanders when LOGCAP is implemented.
Department of Defense As part of the effort to improve LOGCAP, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to include specific changes to LOGCAP that incorporate lessons learned from the Bosnian operation and other missions, including developing improved financial reporting and internal controls mechanisms that provide commanders with the assurance that LOGCAP services are necessary and reasonably priced.
Closed – Implemented
DOD recognized that improvements to the use of contractor support services were needed and transferred program management responsibilities from the Corps to AMC. As a part of that transfer AMC officials worked with U.S. Army officials to identify problems experienced in Bosnia and implemented changes to improve planning and management and reduce costs. These actions include changing planning scenarios, developing doctrine and guidance, improving financial management and contract monitoring systems, and providing assistance to commanders when LOGCAP is implemented.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should determine whether the Department's needs for civilian augmentation support during operations are met most effectively and efficiently through individual programs or some other means such as one service acting as a single manager for the others.
Closed – Implemented
DOD completed a study of the Department's needs for civilian augmentation support during operations and concluded that those needs are met most effectively and efficiently through individual programs.

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Topics

Civic actionContract costsContract oversightContingency operationsContract performanceDefense contingency planningDepartment of Defense contractorsEarned value management systemsLogisticsMilitary cost controlRedundancyService contracts