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Federal Real Property: Measuring Actual Office Space Costs Would Provide More Accurate Information, Report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The government's RTF [Reduce the Footprint] policy has intensified federal efforts to reduce office space and save money since 2015. GSA [General Services Administration] and OMB [Office of Management and Budget] report key cost performance measures but questions exist about how well these measures reflect agencies' efforts. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review how federal real property costs have changed since 2015. This report examines (1) the extent to which performance measures reflect changes in civilian CFO [Chief Financial Officers] Act agencies' office space costs and (2) how selected agencies considered cost in their office space decisions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment: Additional Assessment Could Enhance Consistency Among Counselors, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "VA's [Department of Veterans Affairs] VR&E [Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment] program helps veterans with service-connected disabilities obtain and maintain suitable employment. VR&E participants work with vocational counselors to develop career goals and employment plans. [...] This report examines (1) the factors that vocational counselors considered when developing VR&E participants' plans and how consistently they applied those factors, and (2) the extent to which VA trains and monitors vocational counselors to ensure a consistent, high-quality approach to helping veterans develop plans."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Missile Defense: Further Collaboration with the Intelligence Community Would Help MDA Keep Pace with Emerging Threats, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "MDA [Missile Defense Agency] is developing missile defense capabilities to defend the United States, deployed forces, and regional allies from missile attacks. However, missile threats continue to emerge, as adversaries continue to improve and expand their missile capabilities. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 included a provision that GAO annually assess and report on the extent to which MDA has achieved its acquisition goals and objectives, and include any other findings and recommendations. This report is a public version of a classified report GAO issued in May 2019, which addresses (1) the challenges MDA and the defense intelligence community face in meeting the agency's threat assessment needs and (2) the extent to which MDA engages the defense intelligence community on missile defense acquisitions. GAO reviewed MDA's threat-related acquisition processes and interviewed relevant officials from the defense intelligence community, MDA, test community, and warfighters. Information deemed classified by DOD has been omitted."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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VA Health Care: Opportunities Exist for VA to Better Identify and Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "According to VA [Veterans Affairs], in 2016, racial and ethnic minority veterans represented about 22 percent of the total veteran population of 18.6 million. VA projects racial and ethnic minority veterans will make up 36 percent of its total veteran population by 2040. VA has identified racial and ethnic disparities in its health care outcomes, mirroring trends seen across the United States. [...] GAO's report examines, among other issues, (1) the extent to which VA has taken steps to advance health equity for racial and ethnic minority veterans, and (2) VA's efforts to use race and ethnicity data to identify and address disparities in health care outcomes involving minority veterans. GAO reviewed relevant documents, such as strategic and operational plans and peer-reviewed research studies; assessed VA's health equity action plan against criteria identified in GAO's body of work on effectively managing performance; and interviewed VA officials familiar with VA's health equity efforts, as well as race and ethnicity data."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Technology Modernization Fund: OMB and GSA Need to Improve Fee Collection and Clarify Cost Estimating Guidance for Awarded Projects, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "In December 2017, the MGT [Modernizing Government Technology] Act was enacted, which established the TMF [Technology Modernization Fund]. OMB [Office of Management and Budget], the Technology Modernization Board, and GSA [General Services Administration] oversee the TMF. The board is responsible for approval of agency project proposals focused on replacing aging IT [information technology] systems. Agencies receive incremental award funding and are required to repay the funds transferred and an administrative fee within five years. Agencies may use the project's generated cost savings to repay the award. GSA can use TMF appropriations to cover its operating expenses, and is required to collect administrative fees from awarded projects to offset these expenses. GSA's fee rate was established with the intent to fully recover its costs. As of August 2019, Congress had appropriated $125 million to the TMF. The act included a provision for GAO to report biannually on the TMF. For its first TMF report, among other things, GAO analyzed the TMF's operating costs and assessed the reliability of selected projects' cost savings estimates."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Federal Buildings: GSA Can Improve Its Communication About and Assessment of Major Construction Projects, Report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "As the federal government's landlord, GSA [General Services Administration] spends hundreds of millions of dollars to construct or modernize federal buildings. By delivering these major construction projects, GSA supports tenant agencies' missions and facilitates the delivery of government services. GAO was asked to review GSA's major construction projects. This report: (1) identifies costs of these projects in the last 5 years and factors that contribute to those costs; (2) examines how GSA monitors and publicly communicates cost and schedule information; and (3) assesses GSA's efforts to confirm that projects meet GSA's requirements and that tenants are satisfied with completed projects. GAO analyzed GSA's performance data from fiscal years 2014 to 2018 for 36 projects with a minimum cost each of $20 million (i.e., a major construction project); selected five case-study projects representing diversity in project type, geographic area, building type, and range in cost and scope; reviewed applicable GSA policies, procedures, guidance, and reports; and interviewed GSA officials and project stakeholders."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Cloud Computing Security: Agencies Increased Their Use of the Federal Authorization Program, but Improved Oversight and Implementation Are Needed, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Federal agencies use internet-based (cloud) services to fulfill their missions. GSA [General Services Administration] manages FedRAMP [Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program], which provides a standardized approach to ensure that cloud services meet federal security requirements. OMB [Office of Management and Budget] requires agencies to use FedRAMP to authorize the use of cloud services. GAO was asked to review FedRAMP. The objectives were to determine the extent to which 1) federal agencies used FedRAMP to authorize cloud services, 2) selected agencies addressed key elements of the program's authorization process, and 3) program participants identified FedRAMP benefits and challenges. GAO analyzed survey responses from 24 federal agencies and 47 cloud service providers. GAO also reviewed policies, plans, procedures, and authorization packages for cloud services at four selected federal agencies and interviewed officials from federal agencies, the FedRAMP program office, and OMB."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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2020 Census: Changes Planned to Improve Data Quality, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The decennial census produces data vital to the nation. The data are used for congressional apportionment and redistricting; to allocate billions each year in federal funds; and to provide a social, demographic, and economic profile of the nation to guide policy decisions at all levels of government. Given census data's importance, it is incumbent upon the Bureau [U.S. Census Bureau] to ensure their quality. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to describe the Bureau's plans for the 2020 Census to resolve multiple, missing, incomplete, and conflicting responses. This report describes how, for 2020, the Bureau plans to (1) determine where to count people, including those in complex living situations, and how this differs from 2010; and (2) resolve multiple, missing, incomplete, and conflicting responses after data collection, and how this differs from 2010."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Fake Caller ID Schemes: Information on Federal Agencies' Efforts to Enforce Laws, Educate the Public, and Support Technical Initiatives, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Unwanted phone calls, which may also involve spoofing, consistently rank among the top consumer complaints to FCC [Federal Communications Commission] and FTC [Federal Trade Commission]. [...] Recently enacted federal legislation included a statutory provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review federal efforts to combat the fraudulent use of caller ID spoofing. This report examines (1) what is known about caller ID spoofing schemes, including any recent trends; (2) federal agency enforcement and consumer education efforts; and (3) the status of industry efforts to develop technologies to combat spoofing, and FCC's role in these efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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340B Drug Discount Program: Increased Oversight Needed to Ensure Nongovernmental Hospitals Meet Eligibility Requirements, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The number of nongovernmental hospitals participating in the 340B Program has grown over time. HRSA [Health Resources and Services Administration] requires participating hospitals to register and annually recertify their eligibility. HRSA also reviews hospitals' eligibility through audits of a small sample each year. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to provide information on 340B-participating hospitals' contracts with state and local governments. This report (1) describes any obligations in selected nongovernmental hospitals' contracts to serve low-income individuals, and (2) examines HRSA's processes to assess nongovernmental hospitals' eligibility."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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VA Disability Compensation: Actions Needed to Enhance Information About Veterans' Health Outcomes, Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] receives billions of dollars per year to provide health care and disability compensation to promote the wellness of veterans with service-connected conditions. VA studies veterans' health through research and assesses changes in service-connected conditions through its reevaluation process. GAO was asked to review VA's efforts to study and gauge the health outcomes of veterans with service-connected conditions. This report examines the extent to which (1) veterans used VA health care services to treat service-connected conditions, and what is known about their health outcomes; (2) VA uses information on reevaluations to help manage the program; and (3) VA's procedures position it to determine when to conduct a reevaluation. GAO reviewed fiscal year 2018 VA health care data; selected studies; VA data on completed reevaluations from fiscal years 2013-2018; and relevant federal laws, regulations, and program guidance. GAO also interviewed staff at four VA regional offices (selected for variation in claims workload and location) and VA officials at the agency's central office."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Counternarcotics: Treasury Reports Some Results from Designating Drug Kingpins, but Should Improve Information on Agencies' Expenditures, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Drug deaths in the United States have been rising for years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2017 there were over 70,000 U.S. drug overdose deaths. This national emergency results in part from the activities of international narcotics traffickers and their organizations. The Kingpin Act, enacted in 1999, allows Treasury to designate and sanction individuals and entities that contribute to illicit narcotics trafficking. [...] This report examines (1) how U.S. agencies designate individuals and entities under the Kingpin Act; (2) the extent to which U.S. agencies monitor, enforce, and report on sanctions under the Kingpin Act; and (3) what agencies have done to assess the effectiveness of the Kingpin Act. GAO reviewed documents from and interviewed officials at Treasury, the Department of State, and other partner agencies. GAO also performed fieldwork in Colombia and Mexico."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Juvenile Justice Grants: DOJ Should Take Additional Actions to Strengthen Performance and Fraud Risk Management, Report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
From the Highlights: "OJJDP [Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention] administers grant programs to improve positive outcomes for juveniles in the justice system. In fiscal year 2018, OJJDP made 295 awards across 16 programs totaling over $290 million. The Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review OJJDP performance and internal controls intended to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of grant funds. This report examines the extent to which (1) OJJDP has goals and measures to assess the performance of its programs, and (2) DOJ has considered fraud risks for OJJDP grant programs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Federal Property: Improved Monitoring, Oversight, and Data Would Help Understand Effects of Providing Property to Non-Federal Recipients, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The federal government owns and manages over a trillion of dollars of property that is not real property, such as vehicles, computers, and office furniture. Federal agencies generally get rid of excess property through GSA's [General Services Administration] disposal process, which then allows entities such as other federal agencies, to obtain that property if they want. Some agencies have independent authorities that allow them to provide property to non-federal recipients, such as universities, before or during the GSA disposal process. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review how federal agencies provide property to nonfederal recipients. This report examines (1) how selected agencies manage unneeded and excess property provided to non-federal recipients and (2) what is known about benefits, effects, and data on property provided to these recipients."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Millennial Generation: Information on the Economic Status of Millennial Households Compared to Previous Generations, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "According to recent studies, the Millennial generation, who comprise the largest portion of the American workforce, report feeling overwhelmed by their financial situation and concerned about their future financial security. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review trends in economic mobility and Millennials' economic situation compared to previous generations. This report examines (1) what is known about intergenerational income mobility, and (2) how the financial circumstances of Millennials compare to previous generations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Drug Control: The Office of National Drug Control Policy Should Develop Key Planning Elements to Meet Statutory Requirements, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Almost 70,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2018, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The 2018 SUPPORT Act [Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act] reauthorized ONDCP [Office of National Drug Control Policy] and imposed new requirements. GAO [Government Accountability Office] noted in its March 2019 High Risk report that the federal effort to prevent drug misuse is an emerging issue requiring close attention. Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 1708a(b), GAO has periodically assessed ONDCP's programs and operations. This report assesses the extent to which ONDCP (1) met selected statutory requirements related to the National Drug Control Strategy in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and (2) has planned or implemented actions to meet selected new requirements in the SUPPORT Act."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Health Care Workforce: Views on Expanding Medicare Graduate Medical Education Funding to Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "An adequate, well-trained health care provider workforce is essential to ensure Americans have access to quality health care services. However, studies have shown the United States faces a shortage of physicians, making it increasingly difficult for people to access needed health care. Experts have identified ways to address this shortage, such as through strategies that increase the number of other types of non-physician providers, including NPs [nurse practitioners] and PAs [physician assistants]. For example, members of Congress and others have questioned whether expanding the scope of the Medicare GME [graduate medical education] program to include NPs and PAs could help mitigate the effects of a physician shortage. A Senate Committee on Appropriations report included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine the potential of making GME payments under the Medicare program for NPs and PAs. This report describes: (1) stakeholder views on the potential benefits and challenges of expanding the Medicare GME program to include NP and PA graduate training; and (2) available information on the estimated costs of NP and PA graduate training."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Office of Congressional Workplace Rights: Using Key Management Practices Would Help to Fully Implement Statutory Requirements, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "OCWR [Office of Congressional Workplace Rights] is an independent, non-partisan office that administers and enforces various provisions related to fair employment and occupational safety and health within the legislative branch. Responding to concerns about sexual harassment in the workplace, Congress passed the Reform Act in 2018, which expanded worker protections and overhauled the process for resolving workplace claims, including claims relating to discrimination and harassment. [...] The Reform Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review OCWR's management practices. This report examines (1) the status of OCWR's efforts to address new requirements in the Reform Act; (2) how OCWR is incorporating key management practices to implement the new requirements; and (3) the extent to which OCWR implemented recommendations from a related 2004 GAO report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Mental Health and Substance Use: State and Federal Oversight of Compliance with Parity Requirements Varies, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "MHPAEA [The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008] requires large group health plans that offer MH/SU [mental health and substance use disorder] benefits to ensure parity between MH/SU and medical/surgical benefits. To meet the essential health benefits requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, certain issuers offering small group and individual plans must comply with MHPAEA's MH/SU parity requirements. The 21st Century Cures Act included a provision for GAO to review federal and state oversight of MH/SU parity requirements and the extent to which health plans comply with these requirements. This report, among other objectives, (1) examines how DOL [Department of Labor], HHS [Health and Human Services], and states oversee health plan compliance with MH/SU parity requirements; and (2) describes what is known about the extent to which health plans are complying with MH/SU parity requirements. For this report, GAO reviewed DOL and HHS policies, guidance, and reports; conducted a survey and received responses from all 50 states and the District of Columbia about oversight practices; interviewed officials from DOL, HHS, and selected states; interviewed national and state stakeholders; and reviewed available research studies regarding health plan compliance with MH/SU parity."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Improving Program Management: Key Actions Taken, but Further Efforts Needed to Strengthen Standards, Expand Reviews, and Address High-Risk Areas, Report to Congressional Committees
From GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "PMIAA [Program Management Improvement Accountabilitiy [sic] Act of 2016] requires OMB [Office of Management and Budget] to adopt program management standards and guidelines government-wide; OPM [Office of Personnel Management] is to establish new--or revise existing--occupational standards for program and project management. PMIAA includes a provision for GAO, no later than 3 years after the enactment of the act, to issue a report examining the implementation and effectiveness of certain provisions of the act on federal program and project management. This report (1) describes steps taken by OMB, OPM, and agencies to implement PMIAA; (2) assesses OMB's efforts to address issues on GAO's High-Risk List using PMIAA; and (3) examines the extent to which OMB provided methods for agencies to measure and assess the results of PMIAA. GAO reviewed documents from and conducted interviews with OMB and OPM. GAO surveyed all 24 CFO [Chief Financial Officers] Act agencies, and selected five agencies to illustrate implementation efforts. GAO also interviewed subject matter specialists from academia and the private sector regarding their views on how program and project management practices applied to PMIAA."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Homeland Security Acquisitions: Outcomes Have Improved but Actions Needed to Enhance Oversight of Schedule Goals, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Each year, the DHS invests billions of dollars in a diverse portfolio of major acquisition programs to help execute its many critical missions. DHS plans to spend more than $10 billion on these programs in fiscal year 2020 alone. DHS's acquisition activities are on GAO's High Risk List, in part, because of management and funding issues. The Explanatory Statement accompanying the DHS Appropriations Act, 2015 included a provision for GAO to review DHS's major acquisitions on an ongoing basis. This report, GAO's fifth review, assesses the extent to which: (1) DHS's major acquisition programs are on track to meet their schedule and cost goals, and (2) current program baselines trace to key acquisition documents. GAO assessed 27 acquisition programs, including DHS's largest programs that were in the process of obtaining new capabilities as of April 2018, and programs GAO or DHS identified as at risk of poor outcomes. GAO assessed cost and schedule progress against baselines; compared APB cost, schedule and performance parameters to underlying documents used in establishing baselines; and interviewed DHS officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Security Assistance: Actions Needed to Assess U.S. Activities and Ensure Timely Inspections of Equipment Transferred to Lebanon, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Since 2013, State and DOD have obligated nearly $1.5 billion in assistance to support Lebanese security forces. U.S. support for Lebanon is complicated due to the prominent role in the country of Hizballah, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, which retains considerable influence as a major political party and a militia. The U.S. support includes equipment and training to build the capacity of Lebanese security forces. The equipment provided is subject to enduse monitoring requirements, which seek to ensure items are properly accounted for in Lebanon's inventory. GAO was asked to review U.S. security assistance provided to Lebanon since 2013. For fiscal years 2013 through 2018, this report (1) examines to what extent State and DOD assessed progress toward achieving strategic objectives related to security; (2) describes safeguards to limit the risk of U.S. assistance benefitting terrorist organizations; and (3) evaluates State and DOD end-use monitoring checks of equipment provided to Lebanese security forces. GAO analyzed State and DOD reports, documents, and data; and interviewed officials in Washington, D.C. and Beirut, Lebanon."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Tax Administration: Taxpayer Input Could Strengthen IRS's Online Services, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "IRS [Internal Revenue Service] recognizes that taxpayers want more choices in how they interact with IRS, including through online services. GAO was asked to review IRS's online services--those which allow IRS and individual taxpayers to exchange personalized information electronically. This report (1) examines what is known about how IRS's current online services are meeting taxpayers' needs, and provides information about selected foreign and state revenue agencies' online services; (2) evaluates the extent to which IRS's strategy for identifying and prioritizing the development of new online services is consistent with relevant requirements and leading practices; and (3) examines how IRS is addressing key challenges in providing online services. GAO assessed IRS's online services against relevant requirements, agency goals, and leading practices; interviewed IRS officials; and identified additional services and practices from six foreign and state revenue agencies selected for offering multiple online services for exchanging personalized information with taxpayers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Securities and Exchange Commission: Personnel Management Shows Improvement, but Action Needed on Performance Management System, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act contains a provision for GAO to report triennially on SEC's personnel management. GAO's first two reports (GAO-13-621 and GAO-17-65) identified a number of challenges and included nine recommendations. This report examines (1) employees' views on SEC's personnel management, (2) SEC's performance management system, (3) SEC's steps to improve its workforce planning processes, and (4) SEC's efforts to improve communication and collaboration. GAO surveyed a representative sample of nonexecutive SEC employees in key occupations and all senior officers in nine key divisions and offices (with response rates of 64 and 63 percent, respectively). The results of the nonexecutive employee survey are generalizable to SEC's mission-critical employees. GAO also followed up on prior recommendations, reviewed SEC documents and personnel management practices, analyzed SEC workforce data, and interviewed SEC officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Securities and Exchange Commission: Systematically Assessing Staff Procedures and Enhancing Control Design Would Strengthen Internal Oversight, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Section 961 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act directs SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission] to assess and report annually on internal supervisory controls and procedures applicable to staff performing examinations, investigations, and securities filing reviews. The act also contains a provision for GAO to report on SEC's internal supervisory control structure and staff procedures. GAO's last report was in 2016 (GAO-17-16). This report examines SEC's internal supervisory control framework and assessment of staff procedures, the design of selected controls, and the operation of selected controls. GAO analyzed SEC's internal supervisory control framework and related policies and guidance and evaluated the design and execution of a non-generalizable sample of controls selected because they addressed high-risk processes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Wildland Fire: Federal Agencies' Efforts to Reduce Wildland Fuels and Lower Risk to Communities and Ecosystems, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Wildfires have been increasing in size and severity, exacerbated by abnormally dense vegetation, drought, and other climate stressors. Development in and around wildlands also continues to increase, placing more people at risk from wildfires. To reduce vegetation that can fuel such fires, federal land management agencies implement fuel reduction projects on public lands. GAO was asked to examine the federal government's preparedness, response, and recovery efforts following the wildfires and other natural disasters of 2017. This report describes (1) methods federal agencies use to reduce fuels to help protect communities and ecosystems, (2) information the agencies considered in allocating fuel reduction funds in fiscal year 2018, and (3) factors affecting agency efforts to implement fuel reduction projects. GAO examined laws, regulations, and agency policies and budget documents; interviewed federal agency officials at headquarters, as well as in eight regional offices and 10 field units selected based on their locations' high wildland fire hazard potential; and interviewed officials from nonfederal entities, including representatives from the state forestry agencies for the seven states where selected field units were located (three field units were in California and two were in New Mexico)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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State and Local Governments' Fiscal Outlook: 2019 Update, Report to the Congress
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Fiscal sustainability presents a national challenge shared by all levels of government. Since 2007, GAO has published simulations of long-term fiscal trends in the state and local government sector, which have consistently shown that the sector faces long-term fiscal pressures. While a great majority of states have requirements related to balancing their budgets, deficits can arise for reasons including planned annual revenues are not generated at the expected rate, demand for services exceeds planned expenditures, or both, resulting in a near-term operating deficit. This report updates GAO's state and local fiscal model to simulate the fiscal outlook for the state and local government sector. This includes identifying the components of state and local expenditures likely to contribute to the sector's fiscal pressures as well as the effects of revenue changes on the sector's outlook."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Satellite Communications: DOD Should Develop a Plan for Implementing Its Recommendations on a Future Wideband Architecture, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "DOD officials estimate spending an average of $4 billion each year to acquire and sustain wideband satellite communications that provide fast and reliable voice, video, and data transmissions critical to military operations. DOD is considering how to meet its future wideband needs across many different operating environments and scenarios. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 required DOD to conduct a Wideband Communications Services AOA [analysis of alternatives] to identify ways to replace current systems as the satellites reach the end of their service lives. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 contained a provision for GAO to assess DOD's analysis. This report addresses (1) whether the Wideband AOA was comprehensive, (2) how DOD solicited input from stakeholders, and (3) the conclusions DOD reached through the Wideband AOA."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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NASA Lunar Programs: Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Analyses and Plans for Moon Landing, Report to Congressional Committees
From GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "In March 2019, the White House directed NASA to accelerate its plans to return humans to the moon by 4 years, to 2024. To accomplish a lunar landing, NASA is developing programs including a small platform in lunar orbit, known as Gateway, and a lunar lander. NASA plans to use the Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule--two programs with a history of cost growth and schedule delays--to launch and transport crew to Gateway. The House Committee on Appropriations included a provision in its 2018 report for GAO to review NASA's proposed lunar-focused programs, including the Gateway program. GAO's report assesses (1) how NASA updated its lunar plans to support the accelerated 2024 landing timeline; (2) the extent to which NASA has made initial decisions about requirements, cost, and schedule for its lunar mission and programs; and (3) the extent to which NASA analyzed alternatives for its lunar plans, including the Gateway program. GAO analyzed NASA lunar mission and program documents, assessed NASA studies that informed NASA's lunar plans, and interviewed NASA officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
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Customs and Border Protection: Risk Management for Tariff Refunds Should Be Improved, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "The United States enacted the drawback program in 1789 to create jobs and encourage manufacturing and exports, according to CBP [Customs and Border Protection]. CBP has primary responsibility for overseeing the drawback program. It disburses about $1 billion in drawback refunds per year. According to CBP, TFTEA [Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015] modernized the drawback program, generally broadening the scope of potential claims and allowing electronic filing starting February 24, 2018. As of February 24, 2019, claimants could only file claims under the drawback statute as amended by TFTEA. TFTEA also included a provision for GAO to assess drawback modernization. This report examines the extent to which (1) modernization affects drawback refund eligibility and CBP's management of its workload, (2) CBP has taken steps to address risks of improper payments in the program, and (3) CBP has analyzed the impact of the changes to the program on industry and government. GAO reviewed statutory, regulatory, and agency documents, and interviewed agency officials and industry representatives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-12
