Research Fleet Modernization: NOAA Needs to Consider Alternatives to the Acquisition of New Vessels
RCED-94-170
Published: Aug 03, 1994. Publicly Released: Aug 10, 1994.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO compared the cost-efficiency and operating practices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) research vessels to other federal and private research vessels, focusing on: (1) past reports and studies that addressed NOAA fleet operations and modernization needs; (2) the extent that NOAA evaluated alternatives to acquiring new vessels; and (3) additional actions NOAA should take to ensure that all viable and cost-effective options for meeting future mission requirements are fully considered.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | In order to ensure that all viable and cost-effective options for accomplishing NOAA program missions are considered in making decisions on future fleet modernization, the Administrator, NOAA, should ensure that sufficient funding is made available to carry out needed efforts to assess the operational feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using private sector contracting and charter services for vessels to support such mission requirements as hydrographic charting and mapping. |
Closed – Implemented
Funds have been included in NOAA's FY 1995-FY 1997 budgets for private-sector vessel contracting and charter services.
|
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | In order to ensure that all viable and cost-effective options for accomplishing NOAA program missions are considered in making decisions on future fleet modernization, the Administrator, NOAA, should continue to develop a methodology to assess the results of these efforts. |
Closed – Implemented
NOAA completed development of a methodology to assess the results of its chartering efforts.
|
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | In order to ensure that all viable and cost-effective options for accomplishing NOAA program missions are considered in making decisions on future fleet modernization, the Administrator, NOAA, should reevaluate the level of vessel chartering in the fleet modernization plan in light of the results of these assessments. |
Closed – Implemented
The level of vessel chartering undergoes routine review by NOAA through the annual update of the fleet modernization plan and the budget formulation process.
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Topics
Agency missionsComparative analysisCost controlCost effectiveness analysisData collectionEvaluation methodsFederal procurementFuture budget projectionsOceanographic researchResearch shipsSurvey vessels