ABSTRACT
Early in 1972, the widespread attention accorded the annual major weapon systems reports prompted questions about performance in the civilian sector in major systems acquisitions. The more modest budgets of civilian agencies suggested lower thresholds for their procurement reporting, and $25 million was selected as a standard for civilian major acquisitions. In the evolution of the General Accounting Office (GAO) reporting system was to merge the defense and civil acquisition reports. The GAO is considering a number of changes for the future to make the reports more useful. Staff members of the House Armed Services Committee have analyzed the data in the June 1976 report, seeking to gain a better understanding of the reasons for cost growth and how civilian agencies perform in comparison with the military establishment. Congressman Derrick referred to the report during the hearings on full funding for major projects such as the Corps of Engineers dam and reservoir projects.
