Acquisition of the AC-130U Gunship Trainer
Abstract
We are providing this report for your information and use. We performed the audit in response to a DoD Hotline complaint received during field work for our audit of "Requirements Planning, Development, Test and Evaluation, and Impact on Readiness of Training Simulators and Devices," Project No. 5AB-0070. In January 1996, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Acquisition Executive approved an acquisition strategy to conduct a testbed effort of a portion of the AC-130U Gunship Trainer. The testbed effort would be conducted by the Army Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM) and would be followed by full and open competition for procurement of a full-up trainer. Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) and Production costs for the AC-130U Gunship Trainer were estimated at $71.5 million from March 1996 through November 2000. The following allegations were identified in the Hotline complaint. The planned acquisition strategy for the trainer may circumvent full and open competition. Because operational requirements were adequately defined, the need for a prototype or testbed effort was not justified. The funding profile was not appropriate for the planned acquisition strategy. As a result, potential funding violations existed. Defined operational requirements may not meet user needs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 18, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA370820
Entities
People
- Lisa M. Such
- Lynn A. Bartolotta
- Patricia A. Brannin
- Robert K. West
- Samuel Metzler
Organizations
- Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense