The Army Should Improve Its Requirements Determination System
PLRD-82-19
Published: Dec 01, 1981. Publicly Released: Dec 01, 1981.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Army's requirements determination system to determine whether the requirements were based on valid data and needs. In view of the Administration's plan to increase Defense spending and the expectation that the services will receive full funding in fiscal year 1982, it is imperative that such funds be applied where they are most needed.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should direct the Department of the Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command to use actual historical delivery time in computing leadtime requirements or revise the 30-day standard to something more representative. |
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should direct the Department of the Army Materiel Development and Readiness command to use the latest available production leadtime be it the last representative buy or the leadtime value in the signed but undelivered contract as a basis for forecasting leadtime. |
This recommendation will be updated as part of an on-going job which will address past recommendations on requirements determination.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should reemphasize to the Department of the Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command the necessity for maintaining an accurate database to reduce manual adjustments and to make the requirements determination process more reliable. |
This recommendation will be updated as part of an on-going job which will addresse past recommendations in the requirements determination area.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should direct the Department of the Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command to revise its method for computing leadtime associated with items having a first article test requirement to avoid a doubling of the requirements when in all probability the first article testing will be waived. The need for a uniform method among the services is addressed in the GAO overview report to the Secretary of Defense. |
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should direct the Department of the Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command to rescind its policy of using standard leadtimes for all items and restrict the Command's temporary use to those instances where it can be shown that the historical data is atypical. |
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should direct the Department of the Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command to develop definitive criteria as to what constitutes representative procurements. In addition to the exclusions already provided for, the criteria should recognize and consider variations in leadtimes, methods of procurement, and quantities procured. |
This recommendation will be updated as part of an on-going job which will addresse past recommendations in the requirements determination area.
|
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Topics
Equipment inventoriesFirst article testingInventory controlMilitary inventoriesMissilesWeapons systemsMilitary forcesProcurementGovernment procurementDefense spending