Report says Pentagon disregarded cost-cutting study

WASHINGTON — A Washington Post report says the Defense Department disregarded an internal study that found it had a bloated bureaucracy and could cut $125 billion in administrative costs over five years.

But a Pentagon spokesman says the study had limited value because it didn’t take into account existing programs to cut costs and lacked “actionable recommendations.”

The Washington Post reported in its Tuesday editions that the study recommended streamlining bureaucracy through personnel attrition, curtailing high-priced contractors and making better use of information technology.

The study was prepared by the Defense Business Board, a panel of corporate executives and consultants from McKinsey and Company.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said Defense Secretary Ash Carter has pushed for cost-saving reforms, some of which Congress has blocked.