Christopher Shays: “Last year, as it has since 1990, the General Accounting Office (GAO) declared that Department of Defense's financial…”

“Last year, as it has since 1990, the General Accounting Office (GAO) declared that Department of Defense's financial management systems pose a high risk of fraud, waste and mismanagement. To get a better understanding of how the acquisition and procurement processes should operate, the House Government Reform Committee, National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations Subcommittee asked GAO to follow a defense inventory item from the initial idea through procurement and operation. They reviewed the procurement, accounting, control and payment processes for the Joint Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST), a chemical and biological protection garment for use by military personnel. The General Accounting Office found DOD's nonintegrated data systems and processes are wasting money and degrading readiness. Despite pledges to the Subcommittee 2 years ago to fix scattered inventory controls, DOD still cannot provide a real-time accounting of the location and condition of critical protective equipment. As a result, as DOD procures hundreds of thousands of new JSLIST garments annually, some military units have formally declared JSLIST garment surpluses while others cannot get enough suits for training. While DOD is scheduled to procure 2.8 million more JSLIST garments for approximately $100 each, GAO found some had been auctioned on the Internet for less than $3 each. This form of waste directly affects readiness.”