Defense Logistics: Improvements Needed to Accurately Assess the Performance of DOD's Materiel Distribution Pipeline
Abstract
Why GAO Did This Study. DOD operates a complex, multibilliondollar distribution system for delivering supplies and equipment to U.S. forces globally. DOD's goal in operating this global distribution pipeline is to deliver the right item to the right place at the right time, at the right cost. GAO has reported on weaknesses in DOD s distribution performance and has identified management of DOD s entire supply chain as a high-risk area. This review assesses the extent to which DOD (1) has established metrics for its distribution performance, (2) is able to accurately measure its performance against distribution standards, and (3) has taken actions to identify causes and develop solutions for any gaps in distribution. GAO analyzed DOD s distribution metrics, DOD s responses to data-reliability questionnaires, and corrective actions, and interviewed DOD officials. What GAO Recommends. GAO recommends that DOD (1) revise guidance to ensure its metrics incorporate cost, (2) revise guidance to ensure the Marine Corps establishes a customer wait time metric, (3) incorporate performance information from the final destination, and (4) develop policy requiring data-reliability assessments. DOD concurred with the second and fourth recommendations and partially concurred with the first, stating that there would be no value to affix cost to time-definite delivery. DOD did not concur with the third recommendation, stating that data to the final destination should not be incorporated into DOD s performance metrics. GAO continues to believe the recommendations are valid, as discussed in the report.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA615373
Entities
People
- Amie Steele
- Cary B. Russell
- Christopher J. Miller
- Joanne Landesman
- Kimberly Seay
- Mike Silver
- Mitchell Karpman
- Ricardo A. Marquez
- Sabrina Streagle
- Yong Song
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office