Weapons of Mass Destruction: Defense Threat Reduction Agency Addresses Broad Range of Threats, but Performance Reporting Can Be Improved

• NCJ Number: 204227
• Date Published: February 2004
• Length: 37 pages
• Corporate Author: US Government Accountability Office
• Sale Source: US Government Accountability Office; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Report to the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, Committee on Armed Services; downloaded February 18, 2004.

Annotation

This U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) report addresses the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's (DTRA's) mission and its fulfillment, its relationship with other government entities, and the process it uses to prioritize resources and assess progress toward organizational goals.

Abstract

The DTRA is located within the Defense Department and has a key role in addressing the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Although its existence and functions predate the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the visibility of DTRA's role has increased since the attacks, as Federal agencies and military commanders have looked to DTRA for additional support and advice. DTRA addresses WMD threats through four core functions: threat control, threat reduction, combat support, and technology development. The agency supports the implementation of arms control treaties by conducting inspections in other countries and by supporting inspections of U.S. facilities. It reduces the threat of WMD by eliminating and securing weapons and materials in the former Soviet Union; and it supports military commanders by providing technical and analytical support regarding WMD. Its technology development supports efforts to counter the WMD threat. DTRA has used specialized capabilities and services to support other government efforts to counter WMD threats. DTRA's relationship with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is subject to DHS's broader relationship with the Department of Defense. DTRA's planning process identifies long-term goals, establishes short-term objectives by which to measure progress in meeting goals, and collects data to assess progress. Based on its analysis, GAO recommends that the Director of DTRA improve the agency's annual performance report by comparing the agency's actual performance against planned goals and, where appropriate, explain why goals were not met and the agency's plan to address these unmet goals in the future. DTRA agreed with this GAO recommendation. 2 tables, 5 figures, and appended comments on the GAO report from the DTRA