ES, IG-98-020, Consolidation Decision for Secure Supercomputers

CONSOLIDATION DECISION FOR
SECURE SUPERCOMPUTERS
IG-98-020

Executive Summary

Introduction
This report summarizes the results of our review of the cost-benefit analysis, used by the Consolidated Supercomputing Management Office (CoSMO), to support a consolidation of NASA's secure supercomputers. CoSMO is located at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) and is responsible for ensuring the cost-effectiveness of NASA's secure supercomputing systems.

Objectives
The overall objective of the audit was to determine whether CoSMO's cost-benefit analysis adequately supported the planned supercomputer consolidation. Specifically, we performed the audit to determine whether (1) cost and other related data identified for the analysis were current, accurate, and complete; (2) appropriate analytical methods and assumptions were applied to the data; and (3) claimed benefits were realistic and properly valued. A detailed description of the scope and methodology used for this audit is in Appendix C.

Audit Results
The cost-benefit analysis prepared by CoSMO personnel did not adequately support the decision to relocate secure supercomputing from the Langley Research Center (LaRC) to the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO) at the Stennis Space Center. CoSMO personnel had not estimated the costs of bartering items (satellite imagery data) in exchange for NAVO providing secure supercomputer services to LaRC.* Also, CoSMO had not adequately supported its cost-benefit analyses and consolidation alternatives. CoSMO personnel had gathered only partial or no data to support the conclusions reached for the consolidation alternatives considered. As a result, the conclusions drawn by the analyses may not be correct and erroneous decisions can be made concerning supercomputer consolidation.

Recommendation
We recommended that the CoSMO Director use only current, accurate, complete, and adequately documented data in consolidation decisions.

Management's Response Management concurred with the recommendation. We will assess the adequacy of the data CoSMO will use to support its planned direct procurement of supercomputer services.

__________

*Subsequent to issuance of our draft report, CoSMO decided not to pursue bartering and reimburse NAVO directly for supercomputer services. Therefore, we deleted our recommendation related to the bartering arrangement.

Introduction	This report summarizes the results of our review of the cost-benefit analysis, used by the Consolidated Supercomputing Management Office (CoSMO), to support a consolidation of NASA's secure supercomputers. CoSMO is located at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) and is responsible for ensuring the cost-effectiveness of NASA's secure supercomputing systems.
Objectives	The overall objective of the audit was to determine whether CoSMO's cost-benefit analysis adequately supported the planned supercomputer consolidation. Specifically, we performed the audit to determine whether (1) cost and other related data identified for the analysis were current, accurate, and complete; (2) appropriate analytical methods and assumptions were applied to the data; and (3) claimed benefits were realistic and properly valued. A detailed description of the scope and methodology used for this audit is in Appendix C.
Audit Results	The cost-benefit analysis prepared by CoSMO personnel did not adequately support the decision to relocate secure supercomputing from the Langley Research Center (LaRC) to the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO) at the Stennis Space Center. CoSMO personnel had not estimated the costs of bartering items (satellite imagery data) in exchange for NAVO providing secure supercomputer services to LaRC.* Also, CoSMO had not adequately supported its cost-benefit analyses and consolidation alternatives. CoSMO personnel had gathered only partial or no data to support the conclusions reached for the consolidation alternatives considered. As a result, the conclusions drawn by the analyses may not be correct and erroneous decisions can be made concerning supercomputer consolidation.
Recommendation	We recommended that the CoSMO Director use only current, accurate, complete, and adequately documented data in consolidation decisions.
Management's Response	Management concurred with the recommendation. We will assess the adequacy of the data CoSMO will use to support its planned direct procurement of supercomputer services.