United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office National Security and International Affairs Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1994-07-19 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:NSIAD-94-173 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-94-173 P0b002ee180392d0c f:ns94173 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-94-173 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-94-173 NSIAD-94-173 Defense procurement Defense cost control Procurement practices Non-government enterprises Comparative analysis Logistics Federal supply systems Internal controls Risk management Department of Defense contractors Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Program Letter Report NSIAD GAO studied various cooperative, private sector business relationships called "partnerships," Some company officials and consultants use the analogy of a marriage to differentiate a partnership from a traditional business relationship. That is, a partnership among organizations is a relationship requiring an understanding of each other's needs, common goals, commitment, trust, communication, and a willingness to work through problems. This report identifies (1) the decisionmaking process for forming partnerships; (2) the practices used in managing these relationships, including the contract terms that govern these relationships and the safeguards needed to ensure accountability and minimize risks; and (3) the benefits achieved from private sector partnerships and the potential for benefits in the Defense Department. GAO also determined whether companies in successful partnerships have common characteristics. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-94-173/html/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-94-173.htm GAO/NSIAD-94-173 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-94-173 Letter Report GAO/NSIAD-94-173; Partnerships: Customer-Supplier Relationships Can Be Improved Through Partnering; Defense procurement Defense cost control Procurement practices Non-government enterprises Comparative analysis Logistics Federal supply systems Internal controls Risk management Department of Defense contractors Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Program