The Coast Guard is modernizing its command structure, support systems, and business practices, while continuing the Deepwater program to replace or upgrade its fleet of vessels and aircraft, but it continues to face management challenges on several fronts, GAO told a Senate panel with jurisdiction over the Coast Guard recently.
It said that although the Coast Guard has taken steps to monitor the progress of the modernization program, development of performance measures remains in the early stages with no time frame specified for completion.
GAO also reported in April that although the Coast Guard has assumed the lead role for managing the Deepwater acquisition program, it has not always adhered to procurement processes, and its budget submissions to Congress do not include detailed cost estimates.
According to GAO-09-810T, the Coast Guard faces challenges in workforce planning, including difficulties in hiring and retaining qualified acquisition personnel, and ongoing GAO work has identified delays with the National Security Cutter could mean the loss of thousands of "operational days."
The Coast Guard’s fiscal 2010 budget request totals $9.7 billion, an increase of 4.2 percent over its fiscal 2009 enacted budget, $6.6 billion of which would be for operating expenses.
