Objective
The objective of the audit was to determine whether Navy officials completed comprehensive and timely contractor performance assessment reports (PARs). This is the first in a series of audits of DoD compliance with policies for evaluating contractor performance.
Finding
Navy officials did not consistently comply with requirements for evaluating contractor
past performance when registering contracts and preparing PARs.
Specifically, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA); Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet
Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk; and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC)
Atlantic officials did not register 88 of 797 contracts. Generally, Navy officials stated
that not registering the contracts was an error.
Navy assessors prepared 42 of 81 PARs an average of 84 days late and prepared
61 of 81 nonstatistically selected PARs without sufficient written narratives to justify the ratings given. These conditions occurred because:
- the Navy commands did not have adequate procedures to ensure timeliness or quality;
- assessors did not receive training or periodic refresher training; or
- assessors did not properly implement requirements.
In addition, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), NAVSEA, FLC Norfolk, and SSC Atlantic assessors did not complete PARs for 14 contracts. Generally, officials stated that not completing the PARs was an error.
As a result, Federal Government source selection officials did not have access to timely, accurate, and complete contractor performance assessment information needed to make informed decisions related to contract awards or other acquisition matters.
Recommendations
We recommend that the Commanders of NAVAIR; NAVSEA; SSC Atlantic; and SSC Pacific and Commanding Officer of FLC Norfolk develop or improve procedures for:
- registering contracts;
- preparing PARs within 120 days;
- requiring initial and periodic refresher training for writing PARs; and
- evaluating PARs for quality.
We also recommend that they register the 57 contracts that still need to be registered and prepare the PARs for 14 contracts that are overdue.
We recommend that the Commanding Officer, FLC Norfolk, develop procedures that provide assessors with the information and support necessary to adequately prepare PARs.
Management Comments
We did not receive comments to the draft report; therefore, we request that the Commanders of NAVAIR; NAVSEA; SSC Atlantic; and SSC Pacific and the Commanding Officer of FLC Norfolk provide comments in response to this report.