Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis for Marine Corps Third Echelon Test Set

摘要

We are providing this report for information and use. This audit was performed in response to a congressional request from Senator Howell Heflin to review the accuracy of the Marine Corps cost and operational effectiveness analysis (COEA) for a third echelon test set (TETS). The Senator alleged that the COEA showed a decided bias toward the Marine Corps' proposed system alternative, referred to in the COEA as the automated test support unit prototype. The Senator expressed concern that the Marine Corps intended to issue a request for proposal for a TETS based on the findings of the COEA. The TETS acquisition program is an acquisition category IV program, and has an estimated total life cycle cost of nearly $208 million.