Air Force Breakout Efforts Are Ineffective
PLRD-83-82
Published: Jun 01, 1983. Publicly Released: Jun 01, 1983.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the effectiveness of efforts at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OCALC) to implement the Air Force High Dollar Spare Parts Breakout Program.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should improve the effectiveness of the High Dollar Spare Parts Breakout Program by directing all appropriate Air Force units to rescreen all spare parts with procurement method codes of 3, 4, and 5, initially concentrating on procurements due to occur in the near future that come under the definition of the high dollar value replenishment spare parts in the breakout regulation, and establish procedures for identifying actual manufacturers of such parts scheduled for sole-source procurement from the prime contractor. Actual manufacturers, other than the prime contractor, should be contacted and a determination made as to their capabilities for supplying the parts direct to the Air Force. |
Closed – Implemented
Under the Pacer Price Program, procurement method codes for most items purchased currently or in the current or next fiscal year will be reviewed. The Air Force agreed that the program to identify actual manufacturers could be expanded. MIL-STD 7890 will require contractors to identify manufacturers.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should improve the effectiveness of the High Dollar Spare Parts Breakout Program by directing all appropriate Air Force units to include in all future aircraft engine contracts, or contracts for major components where high dollar value spare parts are likely to be purchased, a clause that requires: (1) the identification of part manufacturers and suppliers at the time of the initial acquisition; (2) notification of changes in manufacturers and suppliers during the life of the contract; and (3) if the prime contractor fails to make a good faith effort to meet these requirements, that any limited rights markings on technical data related to the parts may be cancelled or ignored by the contracting officer. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Secretary of the Air Force should improve the effectiveness of the High Dollar Spare Parts Breakout Program by directing the Commanding Officer of OCALC to establish the identity of the actual manufacturer of an engineering critical high dollar value replenishment spare part. If there is doubt as to the propriety of the engineering critical designation, the Commanding Officer should ask the prime contractor to justify the designation. If the prime contractor refuses or fails to substantiate the claim, the Commanding Officer should initiate action to remove the restrictive markings. |
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
Air Force procurementAircraft componentsAircraft maintenanceCost controlPrime contractorsProprietary dataSole source procurementSpare partsSubcontractorsMilitary forces