Summary: GAO reported on its review of the Army's Quality Deficiency Report (QDR) System, which is the Army's major initiative to identify and resolve deficiencies in fielded equipment. When a fielded item fails to perform as expected and the user suspects that the problem is quality-related, a report is submitted to the responsible commodity command for investigation and resolution.
GAO found that, when product assurance personnel investigated a reported deficiency, the investigation generally was of sufficient scope and depth to identify a satisfactory solution to the problem. However, in a substantial number of cases, investigations could not be conducted because the defective items were not available for examination. Since defective items are not required to be held in a controlled area, they can be lost, damaged, or disposed of after the required 45-day holding period. GAO also questioned whether all quality problems were being reported through the QDR system and the accuracy of the data reported. Army technical personnel stated that the reporting of quality problems might be a low priority at some installations and, in determining whether to report a suspected quality problem, quality technicians might be using criteria that were not consistent with Army guidance.
