Summary

No new information has been adduced by the Secretary of the Air Force that provides a basis to reanalyze the GAO report on the consolidation of laboratories at the Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, or to challenge its conclusions and recommendations.

The only significant change in the Air Force's current estimate of costs and savings is the inclusion of $482,600 annual recurring savings, which includes 13 personnel positions judged by GAO to be unjustified because there was no authorization for these positions. Some $231,600 of the savings comes from savings on supplies, equipment, and data processing costs, but no documentation was presented to support this. Total consolidation costs are understated by $137,475. A considerable number of statements by experts challenge the anticipated benefits of the consolidation on technical grounds. Space requirements of 75,000 square feet, the official Air Force position, were accepted by the Secretary. The Air Force has suspended all construction activities, including the use of minor military construction funds. As of June 1977, the Air Force expected continuing favorable congressional authorization and construction completion at Brooks, and despite a manpower shortage, laboratory operations are continuing.