Advanced search Help
Resource Type or Special Collection is GAO Reports & Testimony
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Recent Economic and Workforce Trends, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which amended the 1976 covenant between the United States and the CNMI [Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands], established federal control of CNMI immigration beginning in 2009. Under the act, the Department of Homeland Security began implementing a foreign worker permit program that was specific to the CNMI. The Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018 extended the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) program for 10 additional years, through the end of 2029. The Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO to examine the ratio of United States workers to other workers over the 5 previous calendar years in the CNMI. This report examines (1) recent economic trends in the CNMI through 2018, and (2) recent trends in the composition of the CNMI workforce from 2001 through 2018, including the ratio of United States workers to foreign workers for each of the 5 previous calendar years. GAO analyzed CNMI government and U.S. agency data, prior GAO reports, and interviewed officials from the CNMI government, and the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, the Interior, and Labor."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Aviation Security: TSA Updated Screener Training to Address Risks, but Should Enhance Processes to Monitor Compliance, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "TSA is responsible for screening millions of airline passengers and their baggage each day at the nation's commercial airports for items that could threaten aircraft and passengers. In carrying out its mission, TSA requires its screener workforce to complete various trainings on screening procedures and technologies. TSA updated its security screening procedures and technologies in recent years to address risks identified through covert tests in 2015 and reports of emerging threats. The TSA Modernization Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO to examine the effectiveness of TSA's updated screener training. This report addresses: (1) changes TSA made to screener training since 2015; (2) how TSA updates and evaluates screener training; and (3) how TSA ensures screener compliance with training requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Additional Actions Needed to Identify Framework Adoption and Resulting Improvements, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Cyber threats to the nation's critical infrastructure (e.g., financial services and energy sectors) continue to increase and represent a significant national security challenge. To better address such threats, NIST [National Institute of Standards and Technology] developed, as called for by federal law, a voluntary framework of cybersecurity standards and procedures. The 'Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014' included provisions for GAO to review aspects of the framework. The objectives of this review were to determine the extent to which (1) SSAs [sector-specific agencies] have developed methods to determine framework adoption and (2) implementation of the framework has led to improvements in the protection of critical infrastructure from cyber threats. GAO analyzed documentation, such as implementation guidance, plans, and survey instruments. GAO also conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 organizations, representing six infrastructure sectors, to understand the level of framework use and related improvements and challenges. GAO also interviewed agency and private sector officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Navy Ship Maintenance: Actions Needed to Address Maintenance Delays for Surface Ships Based Overseas, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "To meet operational demands, the Navy has doubled the number of ships based overseas since 2006. Navy ships based abroad represent about 14 percent of the total fleet and are there to provide presence, deter threats, quickly respond to crises, and build partnerships. Effective and timely maintenance is essential to meet strategic objectives, fulfill operational requirements, and ensure ships reach their expected service lives. House Report 115-676 included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] assess maintenance for ships based overseas. This report: (1) describes existing maintenance capacity and approaches the Navy uses for surface ships based overseas, (2) assesses the extent to which the Navy completed maintenance periods as scheduled in fiscal years 2014 through 2018 and analyzes factors contributing to any delays, and (3) evaluates the extent to which the Navy has assessed any challenges facing future overseas maintenance efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Nuclear Nonproliferation: Past U.S. Involvement Improved Russian Nuclear Material Security, but Little is Known About Current Conditions, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Russia possesses the world's largest stockpile of weapons-usable nuclear materials, largely left over from the Cold War. These nuclear materials could be used to build a nuclear weapon if acquired by a rogue state or terrorist group. Starting in 1993, and for the next 2 decades, DOE [Department of Energy] worked with Russia to improve security at dozens of sites that contained these nuclear materials. In 2014, following Russian aggression in Ukraine and U.S. diplomatic responses, Russia ended nearly all nuclear security cooperation with the United States. The Senate report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision for GAO to review NNSA's [National Nuclear Security Administration] efforts to improve Russian nuclear material security. This report (1) examines the extent to which NNSA had completed its planned nuclear material security efforts when cooperation ended and what nuclear security concerns remained, (2) describes what is known about the current state of nuclear material security in Russia, and (3) describes stakeholder views on opportunities for future U.S.-Russian nuclear security cooperation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Science & Tech Spotlight: Nuclear Microreactors
From the Document: "The U.S. nuclear energy sector faces an uncertain future. Nuclear microreactors offer the potential of faster deployment compared to conventional large reactors, but they face challenges such as limited fuel availability and greater security risks. Given long design and certification cycles, examining microreactors now is key for future industry planning."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Military Equipment: Observations on the Transfer of Excess Humvees to Foreign Governments, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOD can declare defense equipment as excess to U.S. military needs and make it available for transfer as a grant or sale to foreign governments. [...] The 2018 NDAA [FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act] generally requires that Humvee transfers be modernized with a new powertrain and armor prior to being transferred. The Act also generally requires GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on proposed and completed Humvee transfers and the process to determine if transfers will adversely affect the industrial base. This report provides information on (1) excess Humvees requested and approved during fiscal years 2012 through 2018 and (2) how the Humvee manufacturer's perspectives on the proposed transfers have been addressed by DOD as part of the determination of any adverse industrial base effects."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Ready Aircrew Program: Air Force Actions to Address Congressionally Mandated Study on Combat Aircrew Proficiency, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "In September 2016, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reported that annual combat aircrew training requirements delineated in the Air Force's Ready Aircrew Program might not address pilot training needs, and that the Air Force did not systematically evaluate the effectiveness of its training. As a result, Congress included a provision in Section 351 of the NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] for Fiscal Year 2017 for the Air Force to commission an independent review of its Ready Aircrew Program, report on actions it planned to take in response to any recommendations, and provide an estimate of any resources required. Section 351 also included a provision for GAO to assess the Air Force report. This report examines whether (1) the independent review conducted by the RAND Corporation addressed statutory requirements to review and assess the Ready Aircrew Program, and (2) the Air Force has reported on completed or planned actions to implement the RAND report recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Immigration: Actions Needed to Strengthen USCIS's Oversight and Data Quality of Credible and Reasonable Fear Screenings, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Individuals apprehended by DHS and placed into expedited immigration proceedings are to be removed from the country without a hearing in immigration court unless they express an intention to apply for asylum, or a fear of persecution, torture, or return to their country. Those with such 'fear claims' are referred to USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services] for a credible fear screening. Individuals who have certain criminal convictions or who have a reinstated order of removal and claim fear are referred for a reasonable fear screening. Those with negative outcomes can request a review by EOIR's [Executive Office for Immigration Review] immigration judges. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review USCIS's and EOIR's processes for fear screenings. This report examines (1) USCIS and EOIR data on fear screenings, (2) USCIS policies and procedures for overseeing fear screenings, and (3) USCIS and EOIR processes for workload management."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Payment Integrity: Federal Agencies' Estimates of FY 2019 Improper Payments, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Improper payments--payments that should not have been made or that were made in incorrect amounts--continue to be an area of fiscal concern in the federal government. Improper payments have been estimated to total almost $1.7 trillion government-wide from fiscal years 2003 through 2019. [...] IPERA [Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010] requires IGs [inspector general] to annually determine and report on whether executive branch agencies complied with six IPERA criteria, such as conducting risk assessments and publishing and meeting improper payment reduction targets. This report summarizes (1) federal agencies' reported improper payment estimates for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, and reasons for substantial changes between years, and (2) CFO Act agencies compliance with IPERA criteria for fiscal year 2018, as determined by their IGs, and overall compliance trends for fiscal years 2016 through 2018. GAO summarized (1) improper payment estimates from agency financial reports and Paymentaccuracy.gov and (2) information on CFO Act agencies' IPERA compliance reported in IGs' fiscal year 2018 IPERA compliance reports and prior GAO reports."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
USDA Administrative Services: More Could Be Done to Assess Effectiveness and Impact of Business Centers, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "With budget authority of $146 billion in fiscal year 2018, USDA employs nearly 100,000 people organized into 13 major staff offices and eight mission areas comprising 18 agencies. In a November 2017 memorandum, the Secretary of Agriculture called for establishment of a business center in each mission area to provide consolidated administrative services. The memorandum identified three policy goals for these reforms: (1) improve customer engagement, (2) maximize efficiency, and (3) improve agency collaboration. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 includes a provision for GAO to report on USDA's business centers. Among other things, this report examines the extent to which USDA has (1) established business centers and (2) assessed the effectiveness and impact of these business centers. GAO reviewed USDA documents and interviewed officials from USDA's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, Office of Budget and Program Analysis, and eight mission areas about their efforts. GAO also interviewed representatives of USDA employee unions and USDA's external customers, such as farmers, for their perspectives on the establishment of the business centers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Fee-Setting, Billing, and Budgeting Processes Have Improved, but Additional Actions Could Enhance Efforts, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "NRC [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] regulates the commercial nuclear industry. In that role, the agency provides services for regulated entities that hold licenses--that is, licensees. NRC recovers the majority of costs for these services by setting fee rates and using those rates to bill licensees. In 2017 and 2018, GAO [Government Accountability Office] recommended actions to improve NRC's fee-setting, billing, and budgeting processes, and NRC OIG [Office of Inspector General] and internal agency initiatives recommended additional actions. However, industry stakeholders continue to identify challenges with these processes. GAO was asked to review NRC's (1) fee-setting, (2) billing, and (3) budgeting processes. This report examines NRC's progress since 2017 implementing changes to those processes in response to GAO, NRC OIG, and internal agency findings and recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Southwest Border: Actions Needed to Improve DHS Processing of Families and Coordination Between DHS and HHS, Report to Congressional Requesters
From What GAO [Government Accountability Office] Found: "Data from the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicate that apprehensions of family unit members (noncitizen children under 18 and their parents or legal guardians) grew from about 22 percent of total southwest border apprehensions in fiscal year 2016 to about 51 percent of such apprehensions during the first two quarters of fiscal year 2019--the most current data available. During this period, CBP data indicated that most apprehensions of family units--about 76 percent--occurred between ports of entry by the U.S. Border Patrol (Border Patrol). With regard to family separations, from April 2018 through March 2019, CBP data indicate it separated at least 2,700 children from their parents, processing them as unaccompanied alien children (UAC) and transferring them to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Southwest Border: Actions Needed to Address Fragmentation in DHS's Processes for Apprehended Family Members, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "This report examines the extent to which DHS has identified, collected, documented, and shared information its components need to inform processes for family members apprehended at the border. GAO analyzed DHS documents; interviewed DHS officials; and visited DHS locations in Arizona, California and Texas, where CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] apprehensions of family units increased in 2017. GAO compared the information gathered with leading practices in collaboration to evaluate DHS components' processes for apprehended family members."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
Department of Justice: ATF and U.S. Marshals Service Can Further Strengthen Controls Over Employee Misconduct Processes, Report to the Honorable Charles E. Grassley, President Pro Tempore, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Within the Department of Justice, ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives] and USMS [U.S. Marshals Service] employ more than 10,000 staff responsible for protecting communities from violent criminals, investigating the illegal use of firearms, and apprehending wanted persons, among other things. Our recent studies of employee misconduct processes have highlighted the importance of internal controls to help ensure the quality and independence of these processes. We have also reported on employee misconduct investigations being used to retaliate against individuals who report wrongdoing. GAO was asked to review ATF and USMS employee misconduct investigation and disciplinary processes. This report (1) summarizes data on the number, characteristics, and outcomes of ATF and USMS misconduct investigations that were opened from fiscal years 2014 through 2018 and were closed by the time of GAO's review, and (2) examines the extent to which ATF and USMS have developed, implemented, and monitored internal controls for their employee misconduct processes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-02
-
U.S. Ports of Entry: Update on CBP Public-Private Partnership Programs (January 30, 2020)
From the Document: "On a typical day in fiscal year 2019, over 1.1 million passengers and pedestrians and over 78,000 truck, rail, and sea containers carrying goods worth approximately $7.3 billion entered the United States through 328 U.S. land, sea, and air ports of entry (POE), according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CBP is the lead federal agency charged with a dual mission of keeping terrorists and their weapons, criminals and their contraband, and inadmissible aliens out of the country while facilitating the flow of legitimate international travel and trade through the nation's POEs. CBP's Office of Field Operations is responsible for conducting passenger and cargo processing activities related to security, trade, immigration, and agricultural inspection at the nation's POEs. [...] We conducted this performance audit from September 2019 to January 2020, in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01-30
-
National Nuclear Security Administration Contracting: Review of the NNSA Report on the Los Alamos National Laboratory Contract Competition
From the Document: "The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is responsible for the management and security of the nation's nuclear weapons programs, among other missions. To carry out this responsibility, NNSA relies heavily on contractors--primarily using management and operating (M&O) contracts--at its national laboratories and other nuclear-related sites. One of the sites managed under an M&O contract is the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Los Alamos, New Mexico. According to NNSA, LANL's primary mission is national security, which includes the design, qualification, certification, and assessment of nuclear weapons. LANL is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) and is one of three NNSA laboratories charged with annually reporting on the safety, reliability, performance, and military effectiveness of the nuclear weapons stockpile to the President of the United States. LANL also conducts multidisciplinary research in fields such as space exploration, renewable energy, medicine, nanotechnology, and supercomputing. In addition, LANL performs work for the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Department of Homeland Security, and National Institutes of Health, among others."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01-30
-
National Weather Service: Information on Contractor Selection and Work Performed for Its Operations and Workforce Analysis Project
From the Document: "NWS [National Weather Service], an agency within the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is the nation's official government authority charged with issuing weather forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property. [...] NWS initiated an Operations and Workforce Analysis (OWA) project in 2015. NWS established several objectives for the project, including assessing the baseline state of NWS's operations and workforce, evaluating the agency's provision of Impact-based Decision Support Services, and developing ideas to address any identified gaps in these areas. NOAA selected a contractor in 2015 to conduct work for the OWA project and awarded two task orders to the contractor in 2015 and 2016. [...] This report describes (1) NOAA's process for selecting a contractor for the OWA project and subsequent changes to the project's scope and total price and (2) the materials and services that the contractor provided to NWS and the findings and ideas the contractor and NWS developed under the OWA project."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01-30
-
Alternative Drinking Water Systems: Use by Very Small Communities, Related Cost Savings, and Technical Assistance Provided by EPA and USDA
From the Document: "Nationwide, many small communities--those with populations of 10,000 or fewer people--face challenges addressing their drinking water needs. These communities may be unable to afford construction of a new system or replace aging infrastructure. Communities typically pay for drinking water infrastructure through rates charged to users of these systems and other sources, such as local taxes. Small communities have fewer users across which to spread rate increases, making operation, maintenance, and infrastructure projects less affordable. In addition, according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documents, small communities face other challenges that limit their ability to achieve and maintain system sustainability, including challenges in recruiting and retaining certified operators and maintaining expertise to choose, operate, and maintain systems. [...] This report describes (1) what is known about the use of alternative drinking water systems serving 500 or fewer people; (2) what is known about the range of any cost savings to communities of 500 or fewer people using alternative drinking water systems; and (3) drinking water technical assistance programs administered by EPA and USDA and the types of assistance provided by these programs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01-22
-
Office of Management and Budget--Withholding of Ukraine Security Assistance
From the Digest: "In the summer of 2019, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) withheld from obligation funds appropriated to the Department of Defense (DOD) for security assistance to Ukraine. In order to withhold the funds, OMB issued a series of nine apportionment schedules with footnotes that made all unobligated balances unavailable for obligation. Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law. OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01-16
-
Department of Homeland Security: Employee Morale Survey Scores Highlight Progress and Continued Challenges, Statement of Chris Currie Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "DHS is the third-largest cabinet-level department in the federal government, employing more than 240,000 staff in a broad range of jobs, including countering terrorism and homeland security threats, providing aviation and border security, emergency response, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection. Since it began operations in 2003, DHS has faced challenges with low employee morale and engagement. [...] This statement addresses our past and ongoing work monitoring human capital management and employee morale at DHS and select work on employee engagement across the government. This statement is based on products GAO issued from September 2012 through May 2019 as well as GAO's ongoing efforts to monitor employee morale at DHS as part of GAO's highrisk work. For these products, GAO analyzed DHS strategies and other documents related to DHS's efforts to address its high-risk areas, interviewed DHS officials, conducted analyses of FEVS [Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey] data, and interviewed officials from other federal agencies that achieved high employee engagement scores, among other things."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris
2020-01-14
-
Department of Defense: Actions Needed to Reduce Accounting Adjustments, Report to the Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "DOD remains the only major federal agency that has been unable to obtain a financial statement audit opinion. One of the contributing factors is DOD's large volume of nonroutine accounting adjustments, which are used for recording corrections or adjustments in an accounting system. This report examines accounting adjustments and their effect on the reliability of DOD's financial information, the extent to which DOD has established and implemented policies and procedures for recording accounting adjustments, and the extent to which DOD has taken actions to reduce adjustments recorded at the consolidated level. [...] GAO is making eight recommendations to DOD, which include updating and implementing policies and procedures on recording accounting adjustments and identifying steps to reduce the need for recording adjustments across the department. DOD agreed with all eight recommendations and cited actions to address them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
U.S. Secret Service: Investigative Operations Confer Benefits, but Additional Actions Are Needed to Prioritize Resources, Report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Commonly known for protecting the President, the Secret Service also investigates financial and electronic crimes (e.g., counterfeit currency and identity theft). In recent years, Congress and a panel of experts established by the Secretary of Homeland Security have raised concerns that the Secret Service's investigative operations may negatively affect its protective operations. [...] This report examines, among other things, the extent to which the Secret Service's (1) investigative operations support or negatively affect its protective operations; (2) Office of Investigations has developed a plan to combat its priority criminal threats; and (3) staffing model accounts for federal employee compensation limits. GAO analyzed Secret Service data related to investigation and protection activities from 2014 through 2018; conducted semi-structured interviews with current and former special agents and federal prosecutors; and reviewed Secret Service policies and guidance."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
NASA Commercial Crew Program: Significant Work Remains to Begin Operational Missions to the Space Station, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Since retiring the Space Shuttle in 2011, NASA has depended on Russia to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA's Commercial Crew Program is a multibillion dollar effort to re-establish a U.S. capability to get a crew to space, but it is years behind schedule. NASA may have to continue to rely on the Russian transport option or risk losing access to the ISS in 2020."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Drug Control: Actions Needed to Ensure Usefulness of Data on Suspicious Opioid Orders, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Since 1999, more than 700,000 people have died of a drug overdose in the United States, with about 48,000 dying of an opioid overdose in 2017 alone. The DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration] administers and enforces the Controlled Substances Act as it pertains to ensuring the availability of controlled substances, including certain prescription drugs, for legitimate use while limiting their availability for abuse and diversion. The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act, enacted in 2018 included a provision for GAO to study the reporting of suspicious opioid orders on a real-time basis nationally using computer algorithms. This report examines, among other things, how DEA obtains and uses industry-reported data to identify and address suspicious opioid orders and opportunities for DEA to improve these efforts, such as using computer algorithms or real-time reporting. GAO analyzed program documentation and DEA data, and interviewed DEA and industry officials as well as officials from national associations representing distributors, investigators, state boards of pharmacy, and other federal and state agencies."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Public-Safety Broadband Network: Network Deployment is Progressing, but FirstNet Could Strengthen Its Oversight, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Public-safety officials such as police officers and firefighters rely on communications systems to do their jobs. The Department of Commerce's FirstNet must establish a nationwide public-safety broadband network for use by these officials. In March 2017, FirstNet awarded a 25-year, multibillion-dollar contract to AT&T to deploy, operate, and maintain the network. AT&T must meet milestones specified in the contract, such as for providing network coverage and for the network's adoption. FirstNet's oversight of AT&T's progress and performance is critical given the contract's scope and duration. GAO was asked to review FirstNet's progress and oversight. GAO examined the extent to which (1) AT&T is meeting milestones for the network's coverage and adoption and (2) FirstNet is overseeing AT&T in accordance with key practices. GAO analyzed FirstNet and AT&T documentation; assessed FirstNet's oversight efforts against key contract-oversight practices identified in federal regulations and other government, academic, and industry guidance; and assessed the program's master schedule against GAO best practices. GAO interviewed FirstNet officials, and selected state, local, and tribal officials and first responders representing a variety of viewpoints. Although not generalizable, they provided useful perspectives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Opioid Use Disorder: Barriers to Medicaid Beneficiaries' Access to Treatment Medications, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Almost 70,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2018, an estimated 69 percent of which involved opioids. Medicaid, a joint federal-state health care program for low-income and medically needy individuals, is one of the largest sources of coverage for individuals undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder. Congress included a provision in statute for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review access barriers to MAT [medication-assisted treatment] medications, including the distribution methods. This report describes policies that can restrict Medicaid beneficiaries' access to MAT medications, including any related to the distribution methods."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Drug Development: FDA's Priority Review Voucher Programs, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Few drugs are currently available to treat certain tropical and rare pediatric diseases and to use as medical countermeasures, given their small market or potentially limited profitability. To help provide incentives for the development of such drugs, Congress created three PRV [priority review vouchers] programs, which award PRVs to drug sponsors that develop drugs for tropical diseases, rare pediatric diseases, and medical countermeasures (e.g., drugs to mitigate harm from biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agents). FDA, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), administers these programs."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Ocean Carrier Bankruptcies: Federal Agencies Have a Limited Role in Addressing the Effects on Cargo
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Objectives, Scope, and Methodology: "This briefing describes stakeholder's and federal agencies accounts of: 1) the effects of Hanjin's bankruptcy on the movement of cargo; 2) federal agency actions taken at the time of Hanjin's bankruptcy; and 3) federal agency and industry actions taken since then to help mitigate the effects of any future bankruptcies."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
-
Military Depots: DOD Can Benefit from Further Sharing of Best Practices and Lessons Learned, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "DOD operates depots nationwide to maintain complex weapon systems and equipment through overhauls, upgrades, and rebuilding. These depots are crucial to sustaining military readiness by ensuring that the military services can regularly maintain critical weapon systems and return them to the warfighter for use in training and operations. For fiscal year 2018, DOD reported $19 billion in total maintenance expenditures and about 84,000 personnel performing depot-level maintenance. In June 2018, the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a report accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, included a provision for GAO to review DOD's sharing and implementation of best practices and lessons learned among the depots. GAO evaluated the extent to which DOD experiences benefits and has challenges with (1) sharing and (2) implementing best practices and lessons learned among the depots. GAO reviewed agency guidance; surveyed 17 depots; conducted site visits at five depots; and interviewed DOD, military service, and depot officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-01
