Air Force overpaid nearly 8,000% for soap dispensers for aircraft, IG report says

The Air Force overpaid for soap dispensers utilized successful nan bathrooms of C-17 subject craft by 7,943% — aliases much than 80 times nan value of akin commercially disposable dispensers — according to a Defense Department inspector wide study released Tuesday. 

The dispensers were 1 of astir a twelve spare parts for which Boeing overcharged nan Air Force, according to nan report, resulting successful astir $1 cardinal successful further and unnecessary costs. 

The costs of nan soap dispenser from Boeing, nan akin soap dispenser and nan number of dispensers purchased by nan Air Force were redacted successful nan report, but successful total, nan Air Force overpaid $149,072 for nan soap dispensers.

The Air Force overpaid for soap dispensers utilized successful nan bathrooms of C-17 subject craft by 7,943% — aliases much than 80 times nan value of akin commercially disposable dispensers — according to a Defense Department inspector wide study released Oct. 29, 2024.  Defense Department inspector wide report

An anonymous extremity astir nan dispensers launched nan inspector general's audit into nan spare parts. 

"The Air Force needs to found and instrumentality much effective soul controls to thief forestall overpaying for spare parts for nan remainder of this contract, which continues done 2031," Defense Department Inspector General Robert Storch said successful a statement. 

Boeing has a statement pinch nan Air Force that lets Boeing acquisition needed spare parts for nan C‑17, and nan Air Force reimburses Boeing for nan spare parts purchased, according to nan report. 

"Significant overpayments for spare parts whitethorn trim nan number of spare parts that Boeing tin acquisition connected nan contract, perchance reducing C-17 readiness worldwide," Storch said. 

A Boeing spokesperson told CBS News Boeing is reviewing nan allegations made successful nan study and said nan institution would person a elaborate consequence "in nan coming days." 

"We are reviewing nan report, which appears to beryllium based connected an inapt comparison of nan prices paid for parts that meet craft and statement specifications and designs versus basal commercialized items that would not beryllium qualified aliases approved for usage connected nan C-17," nan Boeing spokesperson sought to explicate successful a statement. 

An Air Force spokesperson successful a connection said nan Air Force is moving pinch nan agency successful complaint of contracts to make judge payments are meticulous and is besides updating contracts to see much accusation astir subcontractors. 

The Air Force calls nan Boeing Globemaster C-17s "the astir elastic cargo aircraft" successful its fleet, tin of carrying ample instrumentality and groups of group for military, humanitarian, aliases peacekeeping missions. 

About 220 C-17s are utilized by nan Air Force, Air National Guard and nan Air Force Reserve Command. 

Kathryn Krupnik contributed to this report.

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