Defense Communications: Millions May Be Spent Unnecessarily to Expand Data Network
IMTEC-91-6
Published: Nov 07, 1990. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO assessed the: (1) cost-effectiveness of the Defense Data Network (DDN); and (2) Defense Communication Agency's (DCA) plans to spend $126 million over 7 years to expand DDN.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence to: (1) perform a thorough economic analysis to determine the most cost-effective way to meet DOD long distance data communication needs; and (2) require the Director, DCA, to reflect the results of this analysis in any plans for DDN. At a minimum, this analysis should consider: (1) discarding the policy of mandating DDN use; (2) focusing on the needs of individual users on a case-by-case basis, particularly those that are not well-suited for DDN packet switching technology; (3) recognizing the impact of some DDN users switching to Federal Telecommunications Systems (FTS) 2000; and (4) including cost as a factor in all decisions. |
Closed – Implemented
In response to the recommendation, DOD initiated a study which showed that DDN should be downsized, resulting in a $53.9-million savings over the next 10 years.
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Topics
Communication applicationsComputer networksCost effectiveness analysisData transmissionDefense contingency planningDefense cost controlDefense procurementFuture budget projectionsMilitary communicationProduct evaluationTelephones