Department Of Defense Audit Report - Laboratory Support Services for Environmental Testing - Appendix C: Other Matters of Interest

Charge for Environmental Tests

While reviewing the costs of analytical tests that the PWC Pearl Harbor laboratory charged its customers, we determined that the customers were overcharged for two types of analytical tests, Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure - Metals test and a Flashpoint test, The PWC laboratory charges its customers a $7 disposal fee for these two tests, but only when they are performed by the PWC laboratory. However, we determined that the PWC laboratory was charging the disposal fee for the two analytical tests even when they were performed by commercial laboratories. This overcharge occurred from October 1995 through February 1996 and totaled about $7,400. We informed the PWC laboratory that it had charged its customers in error. The PWC laboratory agreed with our finding, fully reimbursed its customers, and provided us with documentation showing the reimbursement.

Consolidated Report on Environmental Testing Costs

In FY 1992, the Senate Appropriations Committee directed the Secretary of Defense to provide financial data and management information on environmental testing costs and report on the capabilities of all DoD laboratories, including a formal plan for the consolidation and sharing of DoD environmental assessment activities and capabilities. In response to the Senate Appropriation Committee request, the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environmental Security) directed the military departments to collect the environmental testing data. The military departments prepared individual draft reports on the testing data. However, a consolidated final report for all environmental testing facilities and their costs has not yet been issued to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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