Proposed Strategic Defense Initiative Institute
T-NSIAD-87-32: Published: May 6, 1987. Publicly Released: May 6, 1987.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
GAO discussed the Department of Defense (DOD) proposal to establish a new federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) to provide the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) with technical support. GAO asked 11 consultants with broad governmental, military, industrial, and academic experience to evaluate the SDIO working group's proposal for the Strategic Defense Initiative Institute. The consultants: (1) assigned the highest ranking to the option of creating a new FFRDC or a new division in an existing FFRDC; (2) could not arrive at a consensus on the question of the preferred method of contractor selection; (3) felt that some kind of peer review of contractor proposals was necessary to guarantee the Institute's independence and objectivity; and (4) were split on the question of whether SDIO veto power over staff selection would compromise the Institute's independence. GAO also questioned the heads of nine DOD-sponsored FFRDC for their views and found that they believed that: (1) SDIO veto power over staff selection would compromise independence and objectivity; (2) SDIO and the Institute should develop work plans through mutual agreement and consultation; (3) a guarantee of some level of independent research was necessary; and (4) the absence of post-employment restrictions in addition to conflict-of-interest provisions would not compromise the Institute's independence.
Feb 26, 2021
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Defense Transportation:
DOD Can Better Leverage Existing Contested Mobility Studies and Improve TrainingGAO-21-125: Published: Feb 26, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 26, 2021.
Feb 25, 2021
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Military Service Uniforms:
DOD Could Better Identify and Address Out-of-Pocket Cost InequitiesGAO-21-120: Published: Feb 25, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 2021.
Feb 24, 2021
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Defense Budget:
Opportunities Exist to Improve DOD's Management of Defense SpendingGAO-21-415T: Published: Feb 24, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 2021.
Feb 22, 2021
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Service Acquisitions:
DOD's Report to Congress Identifies Steps Taken to Improve Management, But Does Not Address Some Key Planning IssuesGAO-21-267R: Published: Feb 22, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 22, 2021.
Jan 21, 2021
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Close Air Support:
Actions Needed to Enhance Friendly Force Tracking Capabilities and Fully Evaluate TrainingGAO-21-99: Published: Jan 21, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 21, 2021.
Jan 19, 2021
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GPS Modernization:
DOD Continuing to Develop New Jam-Resistant Capability, But Widespread Use Remains Years AwayGAO-21-145: Published: Jan 19, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
Jan 14, 2021
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Columbia Class Submarine:
Delivery Hinges on Timely and Quality Materials from an Atrophied Supplier BaseGAO-21-257: Published: Jan 14, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021. -
Department of Defense:
Actions Needed to Improve Accounting of Intradepartmental TransactionsGAO-21-84: Published: Jan 14, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021.
Jan 12, 2021
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DOD Critical Technologies:
Plans for Communicating, Assessing, and Overseeing Protection Efforts Should Be CompletedGAO-21-158: Published: Jan 12, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 12, 2021.
Dec 10, 2020
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Climate Resilience:
DOD Coordinates with Communities, but Needs to Assess the Performance of Related Grant ProgramsGAO-21-46: Published: Dec 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 2020.
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