ACDA's (Arms Control and Disarmament Agency) Coordination of Federal Arms Control Research and Management of Its External Research Program Still Need Improvement

摘要

Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) is responsible for conducting, supporting, and coordinating arms control research throughout the Federal Government. Many problems that GAO found hindering ACDA's research activities more than 3 years ago are still present. ACDA needs to improve the operation of its own dwindling research program and to fulfill, or seek relief from, its responsibilities for coordinating all Government arms control research. GAO recommends that ACDA improve the management of its own research by, among other things, more comprehensively identifying research related to proposed projects and properly evaluating research contractors' work. Also, ACDA should determine the scope of effort and the amount of resources needed to perform its Federal coordination role and decide whether it will fulfill this role or seek relief from it. ACDA is initiating actions to address these matters.