NASA's Resource Data Base and Techniques for Supporting, Planning, and Controlling Programs Need Improvement
PSAD-77-78: Published: May 19, 1977. Publicly Released: May 19, 1977.
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Data compiled by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on its resources and management techniques for supporting, planning, and controlling research and development programs omitted some resources and did not identify others with the projects they benefited.
The database of resources available in fiscal year 1976 for carrying out its research and development programs excluded about 36 percent of the NASA appropriated funds, 7 percent of its personnel, and 72 percent of its real and personal property. Subcommittee staff members and NASA agreed to exclude some resources, but others were excluded due to inadvertent omissions, a NASA belief that the subcommittee did not want certain resources included the agency's definition of research and development costs, differing interpretations by NASA centers of its headquarters' instructions for compiling the data, and the fact that NASA said it regularly reports certain resource data to Congress. There were no major problems with NASA internal guidelines for program planning and control of resources.
Recommendation for Executive Action
Status: Closed
Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Recommendation: The Administrator, NASA, should revise the data provided to the subcommittee to include all resources available to NASA in fiscal year 1976 to carry out its research and development programs and to identify all resources with the projects they benefit. The subcommittee should investigate NASA management of underused, deactivated, or inoperable facilities and NASA policy and procedures for identifying such facilities and reaching decisions concerning their use or disposal.
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