Need for Better Management of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute
AFMD-82-74
Published: May 24, 1982. Publicly Released: Jun 23, 1982.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the management of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute. The Institute's mission is to conduct research on the effects of radiation on living organisms and related matters that are essential to the operational and medical support of the Department of Defense (DOD). GAO was asked to address: management and control of the Institute's automatic data processing (ADP) equipment, software programs, and operations; award and administration of contracts; unauthorized use of ADP facilities; control and protection of Institute assets; administration of time and attendance reporting; and corrective actions taken or planned.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Defense Nuclear Agency | The Director of DNA should provide adequate staff resources to improve accountability for the Institute's assets. |
Closed – Not Implemented
This recommendation may no longer be valid because circumstances have most likely changed since this recommendation was made on May 24, 1982. DNA agreed to implement this recommendation, but the issue is not sufficiently significant to warrant expenditure of GAO resources for a followup.
|
| Defense Nuclear Agency | The Director of DNA should require the Director of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute to explore the potential benefits of less expensive maintenance procedures for infrequently used computer systems. |
Closed – Not Implemented
This recommendation may no longer be valid because circumstances have most likely changed since this recommendation was made on May 24, 1982. DNA agreed to implement this recommendation, but the issue is not sufficiently significant to warrant expenditure of GAO resources for a followup.
|
| Defense Nuclear Agency | The Director of DNA should require the Director of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute to move the responsibility for administering ADP maintenance contracts to the Computer Sciences Department and require that department to properly document contractor performance. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Defense Nuclear Agency | The Director of DNA should require the Director of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute to analyze staffing to see how many computer programers would be needed to keep pace with software requirements as they develop. |
Closed – Not Implemented
This recommendation may no longer be valid because circumstances have most likely changed since this recommendation was made on May 24, 1982. DNA agreed to implement this recommendation, but the issue is not sufficiently significant to warrant expenditure of GAO resources for a followup.
|
| Defense Nuclear Agency | The Director of DNA should require the Director of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute to establish a reporting process that discloses to top management information on computer usage, adequacy of data processing support provided to users, and status of software support requests. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Defense Nuclear Agency | The Director of DNA should require the Director of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute to follow procedures governing ADP procurements. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Defense Nuclear Agency | The Director of DNA should require the Director of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute to declare a moratorium on any further ADP procurements until the Institute develops an ADP master plan that identifies the computer hardware, software, and people needed to support the Institute's 5-year research plan. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Defense Nuclear Agency | The Director of DNA should require the Director of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute to declare as excess one of the three main computers and one or two of the smaller ones that have not been used for the last several months. |
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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