Need for Better Management of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the management of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute. The Institute's mission is to conduct research on the effects of radiation on living organisms and related matters that are essential to the operational and medical support of the Department of Defense (DOD). GAO was asked to address: management and control of the Institute's automatic data processing (ADP) equipment, software programs, and operations; award and administration of contracts; unauthorized use of ADP facilities; control and protection of Institute assets; administration of time and attendance reporting; and corrective actions taken or planned.

GAO found that the Institute's computer systems were greatly underutilized during 1981. Despite this, the Institute's ADP plan shows an intent to acquire additional ADP capacity over the next 3 years. The underutilization developed because the Institute did not fully justify its ADP procurements, lacked sufficient staff to develop software as needed, and did not adequately plan ADP requirements. Although all but one of the computers acquired were purchased using sole-source procedures, adequate justification for such procurement could not be found. The Institute lacks proper controls over its ADP maintenance contracts and has not assessed the cost effectiveness of the current arrangement. Facility security at the Institute is generally adequate; however, possible unauthorized use of the facilities by authorized people cannot be determined from agency records. The Institute's inventory records do not accurately account for its equipment resources. In addition, the Institute's time and attendance reporting has not been administered well. The Institute has taken or plans corrective actions to address most of the recommendations made by the Defense Audit Service in 1980. However, action on two recommendations has not been taken. The Institute has not yet established a formal peer review of its research program, and the Institute's funding requirements are not separately identified in the Defense Nuclear Agency's (DNA) formal budget presentation.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Walter L. Anderson Team: General Accounting Office: Accounting and Financial Management Division Phone: (202) 275-5044