The Pentagon Inspector General criticized the Air Force for overpaying for spare parts, specifically citing an instance where the service spent 80 times the commercial rate for soap dispensers on the C-17 aircraft. The overpayment of nearly $1 million for various spare parts could impact the readiness of the plane for missions. The inspector general recommended that the Air Force establish better internal controls to prevent such overpayments in the future and seek repayment for the excessive costs. This issue is not isolated, as previous reports have highlighted cost overruns for items like toilet seat covers on other military aircraft. The Air Force acknowledged the need to review prices before payment to ensure fairness and reasonableness. The service agreed to implement recommendations to prevent further overpayments and seek reimbursement for the unnecessary expenses. The inspector general’s findings raise concerns about the Air Force’s contracting practices and the potential impact on the availability of spare parts for the C-17 fleet.
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Air Force Overpays 80 Times the Average Rate for Soap Dispenser
