Strategic Defense Initiative Organization Management Information and Control Issues

GAO discussed management information and control issues associated with the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) Program. GAO found that: (1) a continued lack of adequate data on SDI contract awards hindered the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization's (SDIO) efforts to provide Congress with needed information; (2) SDIO recently took action to identify more completely the type of contractors who receive SDI contracts by adding a specific identification code to the Department of Defense information system; (3) SDIO has problems in providing effective systems analysis management, which result from its inefficient and inadequate contracting and oversight procedures; and (4) SDIO needs to develop a formal internal management control program which would ensure adequate program protection against fraud, waste, and mismanagement.