International Air and Trade Shows: DoD Increased Participation, but its Policies Are Not Well-Defined
Abstract
We reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) recent participation in international air and trade shows. Specifically, our objectives were to (1) obtain data on DOD's participation in selected shows since May 1991; (2) determine whether, since May 1991, DOD has changed its policies on participating in these shows and leasing equipment to contractors who participate; and (3) obtain the policies of other leading industrialized nations regarding their participation in the shows and their support of contractors who participate. According to DOD officials, since May 1991, DOD has sent more personnel and equipment to some major international air/trade shows than in prior years. DOD estimates the direct costs of its participation in six selected shows since May 1991 at about $3.8 million, but did not have the data to estimate costs incurred at prior shows. About half the costs were training costs that DOD officials said would have occurred regardless of whether DOD had participated, and the reminder were incremental costs, such as personnel support costs and the costs for technology display booths. Aside from DOD's costs, DOD's contractors defrayed most of the incremental costs for service members transporting and supporting the equipment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA263194
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office