A study and report on DoD's plans to consolidate its defense research and development laboratories, with special emphasis on naval research, development, test and evaluation, engineering, and fleet support activities. This report discusses: (1) the Nay's consolidation planning process and its initial plan, (2) the Navy's implementation of the plan and the status of consolidation, and (3) the impact of consolidation on Navy programs. Charts and tables.
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO provided information on the Department of Defense's (DOD) plans to consolidate its naval research and development laboratories, focusing on the: (1) consolidation planning process and initial plan; (2) plan's implementation status; and (3) impact of consolidation on Navy programs. GAO found that: (1) the Navy expects to eliminate 2,770 positions and transfer 5,898 research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) positions through consolidation of technical and overhead functions and mission reorganization; (2) although the Navy completed some simple consolidation actions involving nonrelocation organizational changes, its initial consolidation plan did not provide sufficient details to implement all consolidations; (3) the Navy is basing plan changes on more accurate transfer information and current assessments of workload; (4) the Secretary of the Navy's 1993 recommendations to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission proposed changes to closure recommendations and to the initial plan; (5) between 1992 and 1993, the Navy reorganized all RDT&E activities under warfare centers reporting to system commands; (6) most Navy activities are developing detailed transition plans to implement consolidation requirements; (7) although the Navy has eliminated 386 positions and transferred 979 civilian positions, only 16 percent of the affected employees were willing to relocate with their positions; and (8) the Navy identified and is addressing the consolidation's impact, including the potential loss of technical capabilities and personnel and the potential disruption to programs.
