Objective
We determined whether Army controls for monitoring contractor performance were effective for supporting Operation United Assistance contracts. Specifically, we determined whether Army contracting officer’s representatives (CORs) performed effective contractor surveillance on seven Operation United Assistance task orders; CORs were properly trained and appointed; and CORs implemented well‑developed quality assurance surveillance plans.
Finding
U.S. Army Contracting Command–Rock Island (ACC–RI) controls for monitoring contractor performance for seven task orders valued at $7.6 million, supporting Operation United Assistance, were generally effective. However, for one of seven task orders the ACC–RI procuring contracting officer did not appoint CORs in accordance with DoD requirements. Specifically, the procuring contracting officer did not:
- properly appoint any of the six CORs assigned to the task order; and
- ensure three of six CORs received the required COR training.
This occurred because the procuring contracting officer did not include COR appointment authority in the administrative contracting officer’s delegation letter. As qualified individuals were assigned to monitor contractor performance.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Executive Director, ACC–RI, direct the procuring contracting officer to include COR
appointment authority in future administrative contracting officers’ delegation letters, when appropriate, and ensure CORs are properly appointed and trained.
Management Comments and Our Response
The Army did not respond to the recommendation in the report. We request that Army officials provide comments on the final report.
This report is a result of Project No. D2015-D000CI-0123.000.