COAST GUARD: Portfolio Management Approach Needed to Improve Major Acquisition Outcomes
Abstract
The Coast Guard is in the process of acquiring a multi-billion dollar portfolio of systems intended to conduct missions that range from marine safety to defense readiness. GAO has reported extensively on the Coast Guards significant acquisition challenges, including those of its former Deepwater program, as well as areas in which it has strengthened its acquisition management capabilities. For this report, GAO assessed (1) the planned cost and schedule of the Coast Guards portfolio of major acquisitions; (2) the steps the Coast Guard has recently taken to develop an affordable portfolio through its requirements process; and (3) the extent to which the Coast Guard is using cross-directorate teams to provide oversight and inform acquisition decisions. To conduct this work, GAO reviewed the Coast Guards Major Systems Acquisition Manual, acquisition program baselines, capital investment plans, fleet mix analyses, and cross-directorate teams charters and meeting documentation, and interviewed relevant Coast Guard and DHS officials. GAO recommends that the Commandant of the Coast Guard conduct a comprehensive portfolio review to develop revised acquisition program baselines and identify the Executive Oversight Council as the governing body to oversee acquisitions with a portfolio management approach to help ensure the Coast Guard acquires a balanced mix of assets. DHS concurred with both recommendations and noted planned actions to address the recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1174876
Entities
People
- Andrea Yohe
- John P. Hutton
- Jose Cardenas
- Katherine Trimble
- Kristine Hassinger
- Laura Greifner
- Laurier Fish
- Molly Traci
- Mya Dinh
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office