The Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals Has Operated Independently

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals to determine whether: (1) there are impairments to organizational and individual independence in the Board's charter, structure, and operating practices; (2) the Board has sufficient knowledge and understanding of generally accepted accounting and cost principles; and (3) Board members were selected, appointed, and removed in the manner prescribed for administrative law judges. GAO found that: (1) there was no evidence that the Department of Defense (DOD) had taken or had plans to take any actions which would impair the independence of the Board; (2) DOD planned no fundamental changes in the process used for the selection of Board members; (3) there was no centralized control over the Board's activities; (4) the Board reconsidered about 4 percent of its dispositions; (5) six board members had some level of training or experience in accounting; and (6) agency procedures for the selection and appointment of board members were consistent with the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, but the act is unclear regarding any removal protections afforded members.

The full texts of Armed Services and othr Boards of Contract Appeals decisions on contracts appeals.