Army Procurement:

Water Purification Equipment May Not Meet All Performance Requirements

NSIAD-89-200: Published: Sep 11, 1989. Publicly Released: Sep 11, 1989.

Additional Materials:

Contact:

Richard Davis
(202) 512-3504
contact@gao.gov

 

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

GAO reviewed an Army procurement for design and development of a reverse osmosis water purification unit.

GAO found that the Army: (1) awarded two full-scale engineering and development contracts to design, develop, and fabricate three prototype units; (2) awarded a production contract to one contractor but discovered during testing that the contractor's prototype design did not meet some critical performance requirements; (3) planned to rely on first-article testing under the production contract to determine whether the contractor's modified design would meet performance requirements; and (4) had limited assurance that the contractor would produce a unit that would meet all the operational requirements.

Recommendation for Executive Action

  1. Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: In September 1990, the Army authorized the contractor to begin full-scale production prior to completion of first article testing due to the urgent need of equipment for Operation Desert Storm. As part of a related assignment, GAO is recommending that this decision be considered since the need is no longer critical.

    Recommendation: The Secretary of the Army should direct procurement officials to take the action necessary to ensure that the planned expanded first-article testing is carried out and that the tests are carefully analyzed to ensure that all critical requirements are addressed.

    Agency Affected: Department of Defense: Department of the Army

 

Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations »

Nov 19, 2018

Nov 15, 2018

Nov 14, 2018

Nov 13, 2018

Nov 8, 2018

Nov 5, 2018

Nov 2, 2018

Nov 1, 2018

Looking for more? Browse all our products here