The financial impact of the untimely contract closeout process and recommendations for a streamlined approach to improving the process

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to research the financial impact of untimely contract closeouts. The contract closeout procedures at a Navy Contracting Activity and one of its corresponding Paying Activity's were reviewed. The data analysis from a sample of contracts indicated that a possible financial impact does exist. The following reasons for untimely contract closeout were cited: (1) lack of emphasis on the closeout process by management, (2) lack of communication between the contracting and paying activities, (3) non-use of available automation, and (4) lack of knowledge of the adverse financial effects of the closeout process. The thesis provides recommendations to correct these reasons in addition to a final recommendation to develop a Data Base Management System (DBMS). The DBMS recommended requires that it be utilized from the inception to closeout of the contracting process.