Payments on Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Contracts Violate Cost-Plus-a-Percentage-of-Cost Prohibition

Gao ID: PSAD-78-55 January 12, 1978

Five aircraft maintenance contracts were examined to evaluate the administration of unscheduled work and the payments for contractor-furnished materials. The five contracts were with E-Systems, Inc. (2 contracts); Hayes International Corp. (2 contracts), and Aero Corp.; they were awarded by the Air Force for programmed depot maintenance and modification of aircraft in the Special Air Mission Fleet and the KC-135, C-130, and F-4 aircraft.

Unscheduled work was found to be administered satisfactorily. Regulations prohibit use of the cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost system of contracting. Payments for certain contractor-furnished materials on the two contracts awarded to E-Systems, Inc., violated the prohibition against this type of payment. E-Systems was reimbursed for indirect expenses and profit on the basis of fixed, predetermined rates. In addition, the Air Force agreed to pay an uncertain sum for materials since the contracts did not provide a specific sum to be spent for contractor-furnished materials. The other three contracts contain similar payment provisions for contractor-furnished materials and may be in conflict with the regulations.

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