Coast Guard Acquisitions: Limited Strategic Planning Efforts Pose Risk for Future Acquisitions

Abstract

In order to meet its missions of maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship, the Coast Guard, a component within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), employs a variety of assets, several of which are approaching the end of their intended service lives. As part of its efforts to modernize its surface and air assets (known as recapitalization), the Coast Guard has begun acquiring new vessels and air assets. Concerns surrounding the affordability of this effort remain as the Coast Guard continues to pursue new acquisitions such as the polar icebreaker, while also acquiring the Offshore Patrol Cutter - which is estimated to cost $12.1 billion through 2032. This statement addresses the (1) extent that the Coast Guard develops planning tools to guide its acquisition portfolio, and (2) potential risks the Coast Guard faces in its polar icebreaker acquisition. This statement is based on GAO's extensive body of published and ongoing work examining the Coast Guard's acquisition efforts over several years.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 25, 2017
Accession Number
AD1163998

Entities

People

  • Marie A. Mak

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accountability
  • Acquisition
  • Antarctic Regions
  • Business Administration
  • Capital Investments
  • Coast Guard
  • Congress
  • Contracts
  • Cost Estimates
  • Costs
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • House Of Representatives
  • Infrastructure
  • Marine Transportation
  • Money
  • National Security
  • Procurement
  • Security
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Polar and Arctic Studies