Summary: Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the Coast Guard's acquisition reform actions, specifically its item identification, contracting, and management procedures.
GAO found that the Coast Guard: (1) improved its acquisition planning; (2) utilized government-sponsored training programs for its managers responsible for identifying and planning resource requirements and for coordinating the acquisition process; (3) reduced the time spent on reviews of acquisition regulations; (4) reorganized its oversight division to provide adequate policy guidance and more effective oversight of headquarters and field contracting activities; (5) made progress in providing adequate grade-structure and career progression for contracting personnel but needed to address training deficiencies; (6) will continue to use its present management systems to track work in progress until its Office of Acquisition is fully staffed; and (7) is establishing a new computerized management information system to account for stocks on hand.
