Defense acquisitions : many analyses of alternatives have not provided a robust assessment of weapon system options : report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United States. Government Accountability Office

Contributor:

United States. Congress. House. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Department of Defense--Procurement.

United States.

United States. Department of Defense.

Weapons systems--United States--Evaluation.

Weapons systems.

Armed Forces--Procurement.

Weapons systems--Evaluation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ii, 36 pages) : illustrations

Other Title:

Many analyses of alternatives have not provided a robust assessment of weapon system options

Analysis of alternatives

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2009]

Summary:

Department of Defense (DOD) weapon programs often experience significant cost and schedule problems because they are allowed to start with too many technical unknowns and not enough knowledge about the development and production risks they entail. GAO was asked to review the department's Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) process, a key first step in the acquisition process intended to assess the operational effectiveness, costs, and risks of alternative weapon system solutions for addressing a validated warfighting need. This report (1) examines whether AOAs have been effective in identifying the most promising options and providing a sound rationale for weapon program initiation, (2) determines what factors have affected the scope and quality of AOAs, and (3) assesses whether recent DOD policy changes will enhance the effectiveness of AOAs. To meet these objectives, GAO efforts included collecting information on AOAs from 32 major defense acquisition programs, reviewing guidance and other documents, and interviewing subject matter experts. GAO is recommending that DOD establish criteria and guidance for how AOAs should be conducted and ensure AOAs are completed before requirements are set. DOD concurred, and stated that recently revised policies improve AOAs. We believe that the policy revisions do not go far enough to address our recommendations.

Notes:

Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed Oct. 27, 2009).

"September 2009."

Includes bibliographical references.

"GAO-09-665."

OCLC:

460235619