DOD Civilian and Contractor Workforces: Additional Cost Savings Data and Efficiencies Plan are Needed

Abstract : With long-term fiscal challenges likely to continue, DOD must operate strategically and efficiently, to include cost-effective management of its human capital. Section 955 of the NDAA for FY 2013 requires DOD to, among other things, develop and implement a plan to achieve savings in total funding for civilian and contracted services workforces from FYs 2012 through 2017. Section 955 also includes a provision that GAO review the section 955 status reports DOD submits to Congress to determine whether the required savings are being achieved and the plan is being implemented consistently with workforce-management laws. This report addresses the extent to which DODs February 2016 status report demonstrates DODs (1) achievement of savings and (2) development and implementation of its efficiencies plan that is consistent with workforce management laws in FY 2015. GAO reviewed DODs report and interviewed DOD officials. GAO previously recommended that DOD fully address ongoing section 955 requirements, such as including an efficiencies plan, among other things, in its subsequent reports. DOD agreed but has not yet implemented them. GAO is not making any new recommendations, but believes fully implementing the previous ones would better inform Congress. In comments, DOD stated it had implemented GAOs previous recommendations. DOD has taken some action, but GAO disagrees the recommendations have been fully implemented, as discussed in this report.