Ocean Research Vessels: NOAA Fleet Modernization Plan (Testimony,
10/21/93, GAO/T-RCED-94-52).

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) $1.9
billion fleet modernization plan calls for acquiring 24 new or
refurbished vessels during a 15-year period.  Several reports, including
those from GAO and the Department of Commerce, have encouraged NOAA to
use more private sector ship services to cut costs.  So far, however,
NOAA has used contracting on a very limited basis, and its fleet
modernization plan makes few provisions for vessel contracting.  NOAA
needs to experiment with contracting and leasing options to determine
whether the private sector can effectively meet NOAA's mission
requirements. In experimenting with contracting, NOAA will need to grant
contractors flexibility in how they do the work so that NOAA obtains the
cost and operational data it needs to determine the extent that
contracting can meet mission needs.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-RCED-94-52
     TITLE:  Ocean Research Vessels: NOAA Fleet Modernization Plan
      DATE:  10/21/93
   SUBJECT:  Ships
             Oceanographic research
             Marine resources development
             Cost effectiveness analysis
             Cost control
             Agency missions
             Equipment maintenance
             Contract administration
             Contractor performance
             Leases
IDENTIFIER:  NOAA Fleet Modernization Plan
             
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