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Management of DOD's Shelf-Life Program--Better, but Still in Need of Improvement

PLRD-82-84 Published: May 25, 1982. Publicly Released: May 25, 1982.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the management of the Department of Defense (DOD) Shelf-Life Program which covers supply items with inventories valued at about $1 billion.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics) to make sure the shelf-life management reporting system is implemented without further delay.
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 direct the Secretary of the Air Force and the Administrator of the Shelf-Life Program to jointly evaluate the costs and benefits the Air Force's policy of not employing intensive management procedures for many items designated as shelf-life items by various ICP's. If the Air Force policy is cost effective, it should be adopted DOD-wide; if not, the Air Force should abandon the policy.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense To improve the accuracy of shelf-life designations assigned by ICP's, the Secretaries of the military services and the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency should require their ICP's to implement formal programs to: (1) thoroughly review contractor recommendations regarding the shelf life of items entering the supply system; and (2) periodically reevaluate assigned shelf-life designations of items in the supply systems to validate the need for continued shelf-life controls.
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

Internal controlsInventory control systemsManagement information systemsMilitary inventoriesProgram evaluationProgram managementMilitary forcesInventoriesReorganizationInterested parties