Modification Programs
Proposed Changes to the Army's Approval Process Gao ID: NSIAD-88-126BR March 23, 1988In response to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the Army's proposed changes to its approval process for equipment modification.
GAO found that under the proposed plan: (1) modifications exceeding $25 million would require approval by the Army acquisition executive; (2) the program executive officer, a new position in the acquisition management hierarchy, would approve modifications costing from $5 to $25 million; (3) project managers would be responsible for modifications of less than $5 million; (4) Army headquarters would no longer approve many low-cost product improvement programs; and (5) the Army Materiel Command would implement the changes. GAO believes that the plan would provide Army headquarters with added visibility over high-cost changes, while placing responsibility for low-cost modifications with project managers.