Army Corps of Engineers: Actions Needed to Further Improve Management of Hopper Dredging
Abstract
The Corps is responsible for dredging sediment from waterways to maintain shipping routes important for commerce. One dredge type, a hopper dredge, performs much of the dredging in ports and harbors, and the Corps uses its own fleet of hopper dredges and contracts with industry to carry out the work. In 2003, GAO examined the Corps hopper dredging program and made recommendations to improve its management. GAO was asked to review changes to the program. This report examines (1) actions the Corps has taken to address GAO s 2003 recommendations for improving the information needed to manage its hopper dredging program and develop cost estimates for industry contracts; (2) effects since 2003, if any, of the statutory restrictions placed on the use of the Corps hopper dredges; and (3) key challenges, if any, the Corps faces in managing its hopper dredge fleet. GAO reviewed laws, regulations, and policies governing the Corps use of hopper dredges, and related Corps reports. GAO analyzed dredging contract and financial data for fiscal years 2003-2012, assessed the reliability of these data, and interviewed Corps and dredging stakeholders. GAO recommends the Corps provide written direction to its district offices on consistently populating its database with no-bid and high-bid solicitations and develop a written plan for a study to obtain and periodically update certain hopper dredging cost data for its cost estimates. The Department of Defense concurred with the recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA601262
Entities
People
- Alyssa M. Hundrup
- Anne-marie Fennell
- Cindy Gilbert
- Delwen Jones
- Hiwotte Amare
- John Delicath
- Kirk D. Menard
- Miles Ingram
- Richard P. Johnson
- Samuel Morris
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office