Department of Defense Food Service Program Needs Contracting and Management Improvements
PLRD-82-3
Published: Oct 20, 1981. Publicly Released: Oct 20, 1981.
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Highlights
In view of the magnitude of the Department of Defense's Food Service Program and ever-rising food costs, GAO reviewed how well the program is working by visiting dining facilities at selected military installations.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should take appropriate actions that will require that the current DOD efforts in developing and testing improved food service contract methods provide for: (1) uniform statements of work for full food service, dining facility attendants, and food preparation; (2) common units of measure (preferably the meal); (3) uniform meal volume adjustment formulas; (4) measurable performance standards; (5) inspection provisions requiring adequate documentation; and (6) equitable deduction rates for unacceptable contractor performance. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should take appropriate actions that will provide for retaining adequately documented inspection records supporting contract payments long enough to enable contract administrators and auditors to verify that the Government received the services paid for. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should take appropriate actions that will reemphasize the need to consider recent past experience as well as anticipated major personnel changes in preparing the estimates of the number of meals to minimize unrealistic contract bids and proposals, unprogramed cost increases, and contractor claims and disputes. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should take appropriate actions that will remind contracting officers that comprehensive preaward surveys of potential food service contractors should be made in sufficient detail to reveal potential problem areas and to identify marginal or unsatisfactory past contractor performance. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should require the development of a food cost index which is based on the actual items and costs of food used by military dining facilities. This would mean not starting with the value of the old ration, but developing a new cost index based on the food that is actually served, considering nutritional requirements, customer preferences, food utilization patterns, and economic factors. |
Closed – Not Implemented
DOD has conducted an extensive study and developed a legislative proposal, The Uniform Ration Law, which is supported by GAO and would satisfy the recommendation if passed by Congress.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should take actions to improve the internal control over food inventories and only allow access to dining facilities by authorized people. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should establish a functional budget and accounting category entitled Food Service within DOD and the military services for segregating and accumulating total costs for the DOD Food Service Program. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should develop and implement a management information system for the DOD Food Service Program that would include program costs, contract costs, and performance data. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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Topics
Contract administrationContract costsDining facilitiesEvaluation criteriaFacility securityFood servicesMilitary procurementProgram managementSecurity services contractsMilitary forces