Information Technology
DOD Needs to Improve Process for Ensuring Interoperability of Telecommunications Switches Gao ID: GAO-02-681 June 28, 2002In November 1992, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a policy requiring systems to be interoperable. In May 2000, the department began to enforce this policy for telecommunications (telecom) switches, requiring them to be tested and certified for interoperability before being installed within the DOD network. DOD does not have a well-defined process, including clear requirements, for certifying and authorizing telecom switches. The process is not fully documented, current, or complete and DOD has not applied its telecom switch certification and authorization process consistently across vendors, and sometimes violated policy. DOD's application of its telecom switch certification and authorization process is influencing vendors' plans for competing for the department's business. One of five vendors GAO interviewed stated that it has stopped doing business with DOD for economic reasons. Within DOD, positions are mixed on the impact of the department's interoperability goal on competition.
RecommendationsOur 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: Team: Phone:
