Space Shuttle: Follow-up Evaluation of NASA's Solid Rocket Motor Procurement
NSIAD-89-89
Published: May 23, 1989. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 1989.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA): (1) plans to establish and maintain competition in the future procurement of space shuttle solid rocket motors; and (2) quality assurance and industrial safety programs at its contractor's solid rocket motor manufacturing plant.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress may wish to obtain periodic status reports from NASA on its efforts to maintain competition in the program. | Due to recent staffing changes, action has not yet been initiated. H.R. 1759, section 16(c), requires the NASA Administrator to submit an annual report updating the cost, schedule, and performance characteristics during the design, development, and qualification of the ASRM. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, should require the Director, Marshall Space Flight Center, to prepare an economic analysis as part of its efforts during contract negotiations to update requirements for redesigned solid rocket motors. |
Marshalls Space Flight Center (MSFC) officials completed the economic analysis of four options for purchasing RSRM and forwarded the results to NASA headquarters on December 15, 1989. The analysis showed that a block buy of 66 flight sets of RSRM to be the most economical.
|
| Department of the Air Force | The Administrator, NASA, and the Secretary of the Air Force should determine safety inspection staffing requirements at the Thiokol plant. |
The Contract Management Division headquarters has reviewed the staffing at the Thiokol Air Force Plant Representative Office (AFPRO) and upgraded one position to a GS-13. AFPRO is currently interviewing applicants for this position, which has been vacant since May 1988. AFPRO is to select one of the candidates and report his selection to DOD/IG headquarters by mid-November 1989.
|
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | The Administrator, NASA, and the Secretary of the Air Force should determine safety inspection staffing requirements at the Thiokol plant. |
NASA and the Air Force determined that one additional safety person is required at AFPRO. The Air Force is in the process of filling this position. NASA has also added two more NASA safety personnel at the Thiokol plant.
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