DEFENSE SUPPLY: Controls Over Hand Tools Can Be Improved

摘要

The Department of Defense (DOD) buys hand tools (such as wrenches andscrewdrivers) for use in performing maintenance and repair work at military installations worldwide. In fiscal year 1993, DOD spent about $155 million to purchase tools from the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal manager for hand tools. Military units spent an additional undeterminable amount for local tool purchases. As requested by the former Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services, we reviewed the controls over hand tools in each of the military services. Specifically, we determined (1) the adequacy of policies and procedures for preventing the loss or unnecessary purchase of hand tools; (2) if information is available on the costs associated with missing, lost, and stolen hand tools; (3) how well installations and operating units are controlling these tools; and (4) the extent these controls are being reviewed. The specifics of our scope and methodology appear in appendix I. JMD.