Summary: GAO reviewed Coast Guard efforts to establish a more viable supply system by eliminating wholesale inventories of items which are also stocked and managed by other federal agencies and reducing the number of inventory control points (ICP).
GAO found that some progress had been made in resolving these problems. However, GAO determined that: (1) the Coast Guard could save millions of dollars annually by obtaining supplies and spare parts from other government agencies when needed, instead of maintaining inventories; (2) the Coast Guard stocks thousands of inactive line items at levels above Coast Guard needs, although many of these items are needed and are being procured by other federal agencies; (3) ship inventory records were inaccurate, and item managers do not know what repair parts and components are available to them; (4) duplicate filings of aeronautical requisitions result in air stations receiving supplies in excess of the amount authorized; (5) inventory discrepancies are not adequately corrected, and records do not accurately reflect available stock levels; and (6) improvements are needed in controls over project material by the inventory control point and headquarters' offices. The Coast Guard needs to purge its system of other government agency-managed items. Stockage of parts managed by these agencies contributes to unnecessary storage, handling, and transportation costs. The Coast Guard has a large amount of inactive inventory that could be redistributed to other government agencies. Periodic physical inventories at Coast Guard control points have not been taken as required and, when taken, discrepancies between onhand stocks and stock records have not been properly reconciled nor adequately researched to prevent similar occurrences.
