DOE's Property Management
Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of Energy's (DOE) management and operating contractor's control over government-owned property at the DOE Oak Ridge Operations Office. GAO noted that: (1) the contractor does not have a system for tracking and accounting for government-owned property or ensuring that subcontractors have procedures to manage and control government-owned property despite contractual and regulatory requirements for such a system; (2) the contractor has not corrected systematic problems since 1988 and Oak Ridge has not ensured that the contractor has acted on recommended corrective actions; (3) Oak Ridge does not know which subcontractors have government-owned property in their possession, the value of the property, or whether there are proper safeguards in place; and (4) these problems persist because DOE does not give them priority attention.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Other | The Acting Associate Deputy Secretary for Field Management should require the Manager of the Oak Ridge Operations Office to immediately provide him with an action plan to ensure that Martin Marietta adheres to applicable federal regulations and to the terms of its contract with DOE regarding the management and control of government-owned property. This plan should also address how Martin Marietta will ensure that its subcontractors adhere to the terms of their contracts with Martin Marietta that concern government-owned property in their possession. |
Closed – Implemented
DOE concurred with the recomemndation and directed that Oak Ridge develop an action plan. In addition, Martin Marietta Energy Systems: (1) developed formal procedures to identify, track, and dispose of referenced property; (2) reported that the new tracking system became operational on October 1, 1994; and (3) contacted all subcontractors for a complete inventory of government property. Accomplishment report A-RCED-95-19 processed.
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| Other | The Acting Associate Deputy Secretary for Field Management should follow up on the implementation of the action plan within 90 days to ensure that appropriate corrective actions have been implemented. |
Closed – Implemented
DOE concurred with the recommendation and requested that the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Assistance Management review and ensure that Oak Ridge implements this plan within the 90-day period GAO specified and monitor Oak Ridge's implementation of the plan as part of the Contractor Personal Property System Review Program. Accomplishment report A-RCED-95-19 processed.
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