Deferred Maintenance

Deferred maintenance is maintenance that was not performed when it should have been, that was scheduled and not performed, or that was delayed for a future period. Maintenance is the act of keeping property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) in acceptable operating condition and includes preventive maintenance, normal repairs, replacement of parts and structural components, and other activities needed to preserve the asset so that it can deliver acceptable performance and achieve its expected life. Maintenance excludes activities aimed at expanding the capacity of an asset or otherwise upgrading it to serve needs different from or significantly greater than those originally intended. The significant portions of Departmental deferred maintenance relate to the PP&E of both NOAA and NIST (see below for abbreviations). These two entities represent 95 percent of the Department’s General PP&E, Net balance as of September 30, 2006.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):

The NOAA uses the Condition Assessment Survey (CAS) method to identify and quantify deferred maintenance for assets meeting NOAA’s $200 thousand capitalization threshold. The CAS method employs a periodic inspection of real property to determine its current condition and to estimate costs to correct any deficiencies.

The following shows NOAA’s deferred maintenance for projects with estimated costs greater than $50 thousand, as of September 30, 2006:

NOAA has established a facility condition code to classify the condition of the Buildings and Structures. Each Building and Structure is assessed an individual facility condition code. The average of the individual facility condition codes determines the CAS Asset Condition. The CAS method for Buildings and Structures is based on a five-point scale, with 1 representing excellent condition; 2 – good condition; 3 – fair condition; 4 – poor condition; and 5 – very poor condition. The amounts reported represent non-critical maintenance to bring the assets to good condition. The CAS method for heritage assets is based on the same five-point scale as the Buildings and Structures. Acceptable condition is considered to be those assets rated in fair, good, or excellent condition. There is an annual call each year to the NOAA components, requesting their submissions of new projects and updates to existing unfunded projects to reflect changes in requirements
or costs.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

NIST also uses the CAS method to estimate deferred maintenance. NIST values the condition of assets using a five-point scale, with 1 representing excellent condition; 2 – good condition; 3 – acceptable condition; 4 – poor condition; and 5 – very poor condition. Assets that are assessed at 4 or 5 require repairs and maintenance to increase their value to 3, or acceptable condition.

The following shows NIST’s deferred maintenance as of September 30, 2006: