Global War on Terrorism: Fiscal Year 2006 Obligation Rates are within Funding Levels and Significant Multiyear Procurement Funds Will Likely Remain Available for Use in Fiscal Year 2007

Abstract : Because of broad congressional interest, GAO is examining the costs of military operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) under the Comptroller General's authority to conduct evaluations on his own initiative. In September 2005, GAO reported that the Department of Defense (DoD) cannot ensure reported GWOT obligations are complete, reliable, and accurate, and recommended improvements. In this report, GAO did the following: (1) compared supplemental and annual appropriations identified for GWOT in fiscal year 2006 to the military services' reported obligations as of June 2006 and their cost projections for the remainder of the fiscal year, and (2) examined DoD's efforts to improve the reliability of GWOT obligation data. For this engagement, GAO analyzed fiscal year 2006 GWOT-related appropriations and reported obligations, and DoD's corrective actions. Because significant multiyear procurement funds from fiscal year 2006 will likely remain available, GAO suggests Congress require that DoD provide year-end data on fund availability and plans for additional funds received or requested. DoD disagreed, noting, among other things, that it had already justified its needs. To ensure appropriate transparency, GAO continues to believe Congress needs updated data on DoD's plans.