Information Technology: DOD Needs to Improve Process for Ensuring Interoperability of Telecommunications Switches

摘要

In November 1992, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a policy requiring systems to be interoperable.1 In May 2000, the department began to enforce this policy for telecommunications (telecom) switches,2 requiring them to be tested and certified for interoperability before being installed for operational use within the DOD network. Persuant to a Congressional request, this GAO report seeks to determine (1) DODs process for certifying and authorizing the interoperability of telecom switches; (2) how the process is being applied, including whether contracting laws and regulations have been violated; and (3) how the process affects vendor competition.