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IMTEC-84-25 1 (1984-09-27)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabnml0001 and id is 1 raw text is: UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON. D.C. 20548 SEPTEMBER 27, 1984 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY DIVISION B-216267 The Honorable James M. Beggs Administrator, National Aeronautics 125266 and Space Administration Dear Mr. Beggs: Subject: Better Management Controls and ADP Require- ments Analysis Can Help NASA Lewis Research Center To More Effectively Acquire Future ADP Resources (GAO/IMTEC-84-25) This letter reports on automatic data processing (ADP) equipment acquisition practices at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Lewis Research Center. We con- ducted this review because (1) the estimated dollar value of the computer equipment being acquired is large and (2) the Congress is interested from an oversight perspective in the acquisition and management of ADP resources that affect aerospace technol- ogy, research, and development. The objectives, scope, and methodology of our review are discussed in enclosure I. One of three research centers in NASA, the Lewis Center is primarily responsible for conducting research and development for power, propulsion, and communications systems in support of aeronautics, space, and land applications. Among the Center's more publicized projects is its effort to adapt the Centaur rocket for the space shuttle program. In its work, the Center is highly dependent on the use of ADP resources. Our analysis indicated that in an August 1983 Request for Proposals (RFP) for IBM-compatible1 ADP equipment, the Center stipulated specifications that effectively reduced maximum prac- ticable competition and removed competitive cost advantages po- tentially held by other IBM-compatible vendors. In addition, due to weaknesses in its analysis of ADP requirements and rela- ted management control procedures, such as incomplete ADP cost reporting and inadequate computer performance monitoring, the Center cannot determine the appropriate size and timing for fu- ture computer equipment upgrades. As a result, either an excess or a shortfall in computing resources could occur. 1Equipment having characteristics that allow it to accept and process data prepared by IBM equipment without conversion or code modification. 06J,5 'I (510014)

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