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Financial Audit: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Funds' 2021 and 2020 Financial Statements
From the Document: "This report transmits the GAO [Government Accountability Office] auditor's report on the results of our audits of the 2021 and 2020 financial statements of the two funds that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) administers--the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) and the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) Resolution Fund (FRF)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02-17
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Military and Veteran Support: DOD Has Taken Steps to Help Servicemembers Transfer Skills to Civilian Employment but Has Limited Evidence to Determine Program Effectiveness
From the Document: "Approximately 200,000 servicemembers transition from military service to civilian life each year. Servicemembers typically receive extensive, high-quality training and experience during their military careers and acquire skills that can prepare them for a wide range of civilian jobs. However, although many of these acquired skills translate to the civilian workforce, servicemembers and veterans may experience difficulty finding civilian jobs after leaving the military and may face costly and duplicative retraining to obtain credentials for civilian occupations. [...] This report examines (1) the steps that the Department of Defense (DOD) has taken to address reported challenges to transferring military skills and experience to the civilian workforce, and (2) what is known about the effectiveness of DOD's Credentialing Programs, including their effect on military recruitment and retention."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02-17
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Spectrum Management: Information Technologies for Managing Federal Use
From the Document: "Radio-frequency spectrum is a scarce natural resource vital to many commercial and government activities. For example, commercial entities use spectrum for wireless services, broadcast television, and other purposes. The federal government uses spectrum for air traffic control, wildfire containment, weather observation, law enforcement, border security, national defense, and more. Spectrum needs have increased and are expected to continue to increase, due to, for example, commercial 5G [fifth generation] telecommunications and other new technologies that require additional spectrum. However, all of the usable spectrum has already been designated for use among federal and nonfederal users. [...] This report describes (1) the existing spectrum-related IT [information technology] that covered agencies employ to manage their spectrum use, and (2) the opportunities covered agencies and NTIA [National Telecommunications and Information Administration] identified for improving spectrum management through IT modernization."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02-17
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Biodefense: Opportunities to Address National Strategy and Programmatic Challenges, Statement of Chris P. Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Biological threats, such as the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, can cause catastrophic loss of life and damage to the economy. The 2018 National Biodefense Strategy outlines goals and objectives to help prepare for and respond to such threats. However, DHS has long faced challenges implementing its biodefense responsibilities, including acquiring biodetection capabilities. This statement discusses GAO [Government Accountability Office] reports issued from December 2009 through August 2021 on efforts to implement the National Biodefense Strategy and strengthen biodefense preparedness, as well as ongoing challenges to DHS's biosurveillance and biodetection efforts. The statement also includes recommendation follow-up work conducted through January 2022."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris P.
2022-02-17
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Financial Audit: FY 2021 and FY 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements of the U.S. Government
From the Document: "This report transmits the results of GAO's [Government Accountability Office] audit of the U.S. government's fiscal years 2021 and 2020 consolidated financial statements. [...] To operate as effectively and efficiently as possible, Congress, the administration, and federal managers must have ready access to reliable and complete financial and performance information--both for individual federal entities and for the federal government as a whole. Our report on the U.S. government's consolidated financial statements for fiscal years 2021 and 2020 discusses progress that has been made but also underscores that much work remains to improve federal financial management and that the federal government continues to face an unsustainable long-term fiscal path."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02-17
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FEMA: Opportunities to Help Address Mission and Management Challenges, Statement of Chris P. Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "FEMA leads our nation's efforts to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against the risk of disasters. In recent years, the increasing frequency and costs of disasters, the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, and other responsibilities have placed additional pressures on FEMA. This testimony discusses GAO's [Government Accountability Office] prior work and recommendations related to FEMA's challenges in four key areas: (1) workforce management; (2) long-term disaster recovery efforts; (3) potential barriers to disaster assistance and disparate recovery outcomes; and (4) future disaster resilience and mitigation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Currie, Chris P.
2022-02-16
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NASA: Lessons from Ongoing Major Projects Could Improve Future Outcomes, Statement of W. William Russell, Director, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Space and Science, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Acquisition management has been a long-standing challenge at NASA. GAO [Government Accountability Office] first designated NASA's acquisition management as a high-risk area in 1990 in view of NASA's history of persistent cost growth and schedule slippage in the majority of its largest systems. While NASA's major projects are complex, specialized, and often groundbreaking, GAO has identified management weaknesses that have exacerbated the inherent technical and engineering risks the projects face. In 2005, NASA expanded its effort to partner with commercial companies by forming the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office. The public-private partnerships established by this program office represented a new way of doing business in the realm of human spaceflight. This statement reflects GAO's observations on lessons that NASA can apply to its management of its major projects as it seeks to leverage resources between the public and private sector to maximize federal return on program investments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Russell, William
2022-02-09
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Human and Drug Trafficking: Actions Needed to Address Gaps in Federal Data to Counter Illicit Activities, Statement of Gretta L. Goodwin, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Congress and federal agencies need data of sufficient quality to help ensure vulnerable populations are appropriately identified and supported. For example, virtual currencies are increasingly used in various legitimate transactions, but can also facilitate illicit activities, including human and drug trafficking. Further, AI/AN [American Indian and Alaska Native] women in the U.S. experience higher rates of violence than most other women, and tribal and federal officials have stated that this incidence of violence constitutes a crisis. Federal officials and tribal stakeholders have raised concerns about challenges with cross-jurisdictional cooperation and a lack of comprehensive national data on cases. This statement discusses GAO's [Government Accountability Office] prior work on (1) the extent to which the number of missing or murdered AI/AN women in the U.S. is known; and (2) what is known about the use of virtual currency for human and drug trafficking and the extent to which U.S. agencies collect data on these topics."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Goodwin, Gretta L.
2022-02-08
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Virtual Currencies: Additional Information Could Improve Federal Agency Efforts to Counter Human and Drug Trafficking, Report to Congressional Requesters [February 7, 2022]
From the Highlights: "Virtual currencies are an emerging payment method for transactions, such as retail purchases. Virtual currency's anonymizing features can attract criminals' use to avoid detection when paying for illicit activities, such as human and drug trafficking. Thus, policy makers, regulators, and law enforcement have identified virtual currency, human trafficking, and drug trafficking as priority areas of concern. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the use of virtual currency to facilitate sex and drug trafficking. This report examines (1) the use of virtual currency for human and drug trafficking and the extent to which U.S. agencies collect data on these topics; and (2) the extent to which U.S. agencies have taken steps to counter human and drug trafficking facilitated by virtual currency and challenges these agencies face."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02-07
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Defense Health Care: DOD Expanded Telehealth for Mental Health Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
From the Document: "To describe the information DOD provided to mental health providers and servicemembers to help cope with the potential mental health impacts of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, we reviewed DOD's COVID-19 clinic guidance, materials from DOD research entities, and other related resources compiled by military service officials. For both objectives we interviewed officials from DHA [Defense Health Agency], and from each of the military services--Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Marine Corps--as well as officials from the military reserves and the National Guard. This report focuses on active duty servicemembers. In addition, we provide information on mental health care for reserve component servicemembers during the pandemic in enclosure I. We conducted this performance audit from April 2021 through February 2022 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
2022-02-03
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Missile Defense: Addressing Cost Estimating and Reporting Shortfalls Could Improve Insight into Full Costs of Programs and Flight Tests, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Since 2002, MDA [Missile Defense Agency] received over $174 billion to develop a system-of-systems known as the Missile Defense System to detect, track, and defeat enemy missiles. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has long reported on MDA's progress in working to improve the system's costs, schedules, and performance. Congress included provisions in legislation for GAO to assess MDA's progress toward meeting its acquisition goals. This report assesses the extent to which MDA's program and flight test cost (1) estimates align with GAO's leading practices for cost estimating and (2) information is transparent and traceable when reported to Congress. GAO reviewed MDA's cost estimates and baseline reporting for the seven most recently established programs, seven flight test cost estimates prepared under the newly established cost model, and flight test information in mandated reports to Congress. GAO also interviewed officials within DOD, MDA, and the military services."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02-02
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Bureau of Prisons Enhanced Data Capabilities, Analysis, Sharing, and Risk Assessments Needed for Disaster Preparedness, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "BOP [Bureau of Prisons] is responsible for the care and custody of over 150,000 federal inmates and the maintenance and repair of 122 institutions. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, can present a specific danger to inmates and staff who may not be able to evacuate, due to security measures. Senate Report 116-127 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine how BOP protects inmates during disasters. This report addresses BOP's (1) preparation for disasters; (2) tracking and analysis of disaster-related repair projects; (3) approach to managing disaster response and related impacts; and (4) identification and sharing of lessons learned from, and assessment of vulnerability to, disasters. GAO reviewed BOP guidance, policy, and data on maintenance and repair projects. GAO also interviewed officials from a nongeneralizable sample of six BOP institutions, selected, in part, on the basis of experience with a disaster from calendar years 2017 through 2020."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02-02
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Native American Issues: Federal Agency Efforts and Challenges Repatriating Cultural Items, Statement of Anna Maria Ortiz, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "When NAGPRA [Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act] was enacted in 1990, it was estimated that federal agencies and museums had tens of thousands of Native American human remains, funerary objects, and sacred objects in their possession. Such cultural items were added to collections through archeological excavations intended to advance scientific knowledge and preserve cultural items or through discoveries during federal construction projects. The items also have a long history of being stolen from federal and tribal lands and being added to private or institutional collections. Among other things, NAGPRA requires federal agencies and museums to return certain Native American unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony unless the museum or federal agency can provide that it has a right of possession to the objects. The National NAGPRA Program, within the Department of the Interior's National Park Service, facilitates government-wide implementation of NAGPRA. This testimony provides information on (1) federal agencies' efforts to implement NAGPRA; and (2) challenges related to NAGPRA's implementation. It is based on reports GAO issued related to implementation and enforcement of NAGPRA from July 2010 through March 2021. It also includes information about consultation requirements under NAGPRA."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Ortiz, Anna Maria
2022-02-02
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Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy: Agency Has Practices for Avoiding Duplication and Involving Stakeholders in the Development of Research Programs, Report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Congress established ARPA-E [the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy] in 2007 as an agency dedicated to developing energy technology that may otherwise be too high-risk for private industry to undertake. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review ARPA-E's efforts to coordinate its research with other DOE [Department of Energy] offices. This report examines (1) the practices ARPA-E uses to manage overlap and duplication of its energy research with DOE's other research efforts, and (2) the actions ARPA-E takes to coordinate with DOE stakeholders in conducting its energy research and development activities. GAO reviewed DOE policies and other agency documents; interviewed DOE officials; and collected and analyzed data on selected ARPA-E projects since ARPA-E's first appropriation in 2009."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Recent Workforce Trends and Wage Distribution, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which amended the 1976 Covenant between the U.S. 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 CW-1 [CNMI-Only Transitional Worker] program for 10 additional years, through the end of 2029. In addition, as required by a 2007 law, the CNMI minimum wage was increased over time to match the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 by 2018. The Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to biennially examine the ratio of United States workers to other workers in the CNMI over the 5 previous calendar years. GAO was also asked to examine the structure of wages for workers in the CNMI. This report examines (1) recent trends in composition of the CNMI workforce, including the ratio of U.S. workers to foreign workers in the CNMI during the previous 5 calendar years, and (2) the distribution of wages for workers in the CNMI from 2019 through 2021."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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National Nuclear Security Administration: Actions Needed to Improve Usefulness of Common Financial Data, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "NNSA [National Nuclear Security Administration] has long faced challenges in identifying the total costs of its programs, which are principally performed by M&O [management and operating] contractors. Congress needs this information to provide oversight and make budgetary decisions. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 required NNSA to implement a common financial reporting system, to the extent practicable. NNSA's efforts began in 2016. The Senate report accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to periodically review NNSA's implementation of common financial reporting. This is GAO's third report on this issue. This report examines (1) the steps NNSA has taken since GAO's January 2020 report, and (2) the extent to which NNSA offices use common financial data to support management purposes."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Artificial Intelligence: Status of Developing and Acquiring Capabilities for Weapon Systems, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "DOD has reported that AI [artificial intelligence] is poised to change future battlefields and the pace of threats the U.S. faces. AI capabilities could enable machines to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as identifying potential threats or targets on the battlefield. DOD designated AI a top modernization area and is investing heavily in AI tools and capabilities. Other nations are making significant investments in this area that threaten to erode the U.S. military technological and operational advantage. The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence concluded in its March 2021 report that the U.S. needs to act quickly to ensure AI readiness. AI experts from inside and outside DOD agree that ensuring the department has the necessary infrastructure in place will be essential to developing, acquiring, and scaling AI for weapon systems effectively. Senate Report 116-236 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DOD's AI warfighting acquisition-related efforts. This report examines (1) the unique nature of AI and current status of AI capabilities that support weapon systems, and (2) how DOD is addressing challenges in developing, acquiring, and deploying AI capabilities for weapon systems."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Defense Contracting: More Insight into Use of Financing Payments Could Benefit DOD in Future Emergencies, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic had unprecedented effects on the U.S. economy, including the contractors that develop and build weapon systems for DOD. One of the actions DOD took to help ensure the financial health of the defense industrial base was to increase cash flow to contractors and, in turn, their suppliers. Congress included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine DOD's oversight of these increased payments. This report assesses (1) the extent to which DOD made increased progress payments and advance payments from April 2020 through June 2021 and (2) the extent to which DOD has visibility into how those payments flowed to suppliers."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Navy Ship Maintenance: Actions Needed to Monitor and Address the Performance of Intermediate Maintenance Periods, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "During fiscal years 2015 through 2020, the Navy spent an average of $2.1 billion per year performing high priority maintenance on submarines, surface ships, and aircraft carriers. The Navy's ships' crews and shore-based maintenance providers, located at homeports throughout the world, generally performed this maintenance--referred to by GAO [Government Accountability Office] as 'intermediate maintenance periods'-- to prepare the ships to get underway to execute their next missions. The House Armed Services Committee, in a report accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, included a provision for GAO to review Navy ship intermediate maintenance periods. GAO evaluated the extent to which the Navy (1) collected and used data regarding the performance of intermediate maintenance periods for submarines, surface ships, and aircraft carriers during fiscal years 2015 through 2020, and (2) has addressed challenges affecting the performance of intermediate maintenance periods."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Electronic Health Records: VA Needs to Address Data Management Challenges for New System, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] clinicians use health data to provide health care services to the nation's veterans. Stakeholders across the department also rely on health data to support reporting capabilities that can help monitor patient safety and measure the quality of care, among other things. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review VA's EHRM [electronic health record modernization] data management plans. The objectives of this review included describing the department's plans for (1) migrating data to the new EHR system and determining the extent to which VA has implemented its plans and (2) continuity of reporting and determining the extent to which the department has implemented its plans."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Compacts of Free Association: Implications of Planned Ending of Some U.S. Economic Assistance, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The U.S. has provided economic assistance pursuant to its compacts with FSM [Federated States of Micronesia] and RMI [Republic of the Marshall Islands] since 1986 and with Palau since 1994. This assistance-- grants overseen by the Department of the Interior as well as programs and services provided by various U.S. agencies--is intended to promote FSM's, RMI's, and Palau's economic advancement and self-sufficiency. The Department of State is responsible for bilateral relations. The U.S. has also provided contributions to each country's compact trust fund. FSM and RMI compact trust fund earnings are intended to provide revenue after compact grant assistance ends. Palau is receiving disbursements from its compact trust fund, which is designed to provide revenue until 2045. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to provide an update on U.S. assistance to FSM, RMI, and Palau. This report examines, among other things, (1) the use and role of the U.S. funds and programs in each country's budgets and (2) the projected fiscal effects of the ending of compact grants and certain programs and services. This report also examines the implementation of the Compact Review Agreement for Palau. GAO reviewed compact agreements, U.S. law, and country documents; modeled future compact trust fund performance; and interviewed FSM, RMI, Palau, and U.S. government officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Trafficking: Use of Online Marketplaces and Virtual Currencies in Drug and Human Trafficking, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Drug and human trafficking are longstanding and pervasive problems. Federal law enforcement agencies have noted the use of online marketplaces, such as social media sites and messaging platforms, in drug and human trafficking. Further, agencies have expressed concern about traffickers' increased use of virtual currencies--that is, digital representations of value that are usually not government-issued legal tender. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review how a range of methods and payment systems, including online marketplaces and virtual currencies, are used to facilitate drug and human trafficking. This report examines what is known about drug and human traffickers' use of online marketplaces and virtual currencies, efforts by federal and state agencies to counter such trafficking, and benefits and challenges virtual currencies pose for detecting and prosecuting drug and human trafficking, among other objectives. GAO reviewed federal agency and industry documentation and GAO's relevant body of past work; interviewed officials at federal and state agencies and industry and nonprofit stakeholders; and reviewed recently adjudicated cases involving the use of virtual currencies in drug or human trafficking."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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2020 Census: Lessons Learned from Planning and Implementing the 2020 Census Offer Insights to Support 2030 Preparations, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "The 2020 Census, from the planning stages through the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]-affected implementation, produced a unique set of experiences for the Bureau to draw on when planning future work. As GAO [Government Accountability Office] reported [hyperlink] in June 2021, the census continues to be a costly undertaking, with the 2020 Census on track to cost roughly $96 per household, up slightly from $92 per household in 2010 (in constant 2020 dollars). Key features of the design for the 2030 Census are set to take shape during the next 3 years. This report examines what lessons learned from preparing for and conducting the 2020 Census the Bureau can apply to its 2030 planning efforts. GAO reviewed planning documents for the 2020 and 2030 Censuses, prior GAO report findings related to selected program-management areas and IT [information technology] systems development. GAO interviewed Bureau officials to obtain their perspectives on the 2020 Census and how they plan to incorporate lessons learned in 2030 Census planning efforts. [...] GAO has made prior related recommendations and is recommending that the Bureau develop a plan to improve resiliency of its 2030 Census research and testing activity in response to Bureau-identified budget uncertainty, including but not limited to specifying the tests and projects that are most important to conduct. The Department of Commerce agreed with GAO's findings and recommendation. The Bureau also provided technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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COVID-19: Federal Telework Increased During the Pandemic, but More Reliable Data Are Needed to Support Oversight, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Federal agencies use telework to help accomplish their missions and maintain operations, especially during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. In March 2020, the Office of Management and Budget instructed agencies to maximize the use of telework to allow federal employees to remain safe while working from alternative locations and maintaining mission critical workforce needs. The CARES Act [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act] includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on ongoing COVID19 monitoring and oversight efforts. In this report, GAO (1) assesses OPM's [Office of Personnel Management's] progress in addressing telework data limitations and describes federal agencies' use of telework during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) describes actions agencies have taken to address telework-related challenges identified during the COVID-19 pandemic and considerations for future operating postures. For this report, GAO collected and analyzed telework data and related documents from 24 major federal agencies from selected time periods before and during the pandemic. GAO also interviewed OPM and selected agencies' officials. [...] Congress should consider requiring OPM to set a deadline to develop an implementation plan to improve the reliability of information in its federal payroll data system, Enterprise Human Resources Integration, including telework information. Nine of the 24 agencies provided technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Public-Safety Broadband Network: Congressional Action Required to Ensure Network Continuity, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Governmenrt Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Communication systems are essential for first responders in emergencies. In 2012, FirstNet was established by statute as an independent authority within the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. FirstNet was charged with establishing a nationwide broadband network for use by public-safety entities. In March 2017, FirstNet awarded a $6.5 billion contract to AT&T to deploy the network, which is currently expected to reach its final operating capability in March 2023. The statute creating FirstNet included provisions for its authority to terminate in 2027 and for GAO to report on what actions the Congress should consider regarding this sunset. This report examines: (1) FirstNet's statutory requirements and contract responsibilities that Congress should consider before FirstNet's authority sunsets in 2027 and (2) options to oversee and manage the network when FirstNet's authority sunsets and the associated operational implications and potential costs. GAO reviewed relevant statutes and documents, including FirstNet's contract with AT&T, and reviewed GAO's prior relevant reports. GAO also interviewed FirstNet and other government officials and a nongeneralizable selection of publicsafety stakeholders. [...] The Congress should consider reauthorizing FirstNet and ensure that key statutory and contract responsibilities are addressed before the 2027 sunset. In doing so, it can consider organizational options."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Chemical Accident Prevention: EPA Should Ensure Regulated Facilities Consider Risks from Climate Change, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "Over 11,000 RMP [Risk Management Plan] facilities across the nation have extremely hazardous chemicals in amounts that could harm people, property, or the environment if accidentally released. Risks to these facilities include those posed by natural hazards, which may damage the facilities and potentially release the chemicals into surrounding communities. Climate change may make some natural hazards more frequent or intense, according to the Fourth National Climate Assessment. GAO was asked to review climate change risks at RMP facilities. This report examines, among other things, (1) what available federal data indicate about RMP facilities in areas with natural hazards that may be exacerbated by climate change; and (2) challenges RMP facilities face in managing risks from natural hazards and climate change, and opportunities for EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] to address these challenges. GAO analyzed federal data on RMP facilities and four natural hazards that may be exacerbated by climate change, reviewed agency documents, and interviewed agency officials and stakeholders, such as industry representatives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Banking Services: Regulators Have Taken Actions to Increase Access, but Measurement of Actions' Effectiveness Could Be Improved, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Access to reliable and affordable banking services is essential for household financial well-being. In 2019, FDIC [Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation] estimated that 5.4 percent of surveyed U.S. households were unbanked. GAO [U.S. Government Accountability Office] used the survey data to estimate another 17.9 percent had a bank account but used alternative financial services, such as check cashing or payday loans that can have high fees or interest rates. GAO was asked to review factors affecting household access to basic banking services. Among other objectives, this report examines factors associated with households' use of basic banking services, statutory and regulatory factors affecting service availability and cost, and the efforts of selected federal financial regulators to address these issues. GAO analyzed survey data from FDIC on unbanked and underbanked households, reviewed studies on laws and regulatory factors, examined agency documentation, and interviewed market participants and observers and agency officials. [...] GAO recommends that FDIC, NCUA [National Credit Union Administration], and OCC [Office of the Comptroller of the Currency] establish outcome-based performance measures reflecting the full scope of their efforts to achieve strategic objectives related to access to banking services. The agencies generally agreed with these recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Information Technology: OPM Needs to Adopt Key Practices in Modernizing Legacy Financial System, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "OPM [U.S. Office of Personnel Management]'s legacy financial system, FFS [Trust Funds Federal Financial System], helps manage over $1 trillion in combined assets and supports over 8 million federal employees and retirees. However, according to OPM, FFS is outdated and consists of unsupported software. In fiscal year 2017, OPM created the Trust Funds Modernization (TFM) Program to replace FFS. In 2019, the agency selected a shared service provider to provide the replacement system. The House report accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine OPM's effort to modernize and replace FFS. This report (1) describes the status of OPM's effort to modernize and replace FFS; (2) evaluates the progress OPM has made in implementing key modernization practices for using a shared service provider; and (3) determines to what extent the TFM program has adopted leading practices for requirements management, cost and schedule estimation, and cybersecurity."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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Forced Labor: Actions Needed to Better Prevent the Availability of At-Risk Goods in DOD's Commissaries and Exchanges, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The U.S. government and others have raised concerns about the use of forced labor in the production of goods. DOD operates almost 3,000 commissaries and exchanges worldwide to enhance the quality of life of service members, their families, and retirees by providing reduced-priced groceries and retail goods. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DOD's efforts to prevent the resale of goods produced by forced labor in commissaries and exchanges. This report evaluates the extent to which (1) DeCA [Defense Commissary Agency] and the military service exchanges have established policies and processes for preventing the resale of goods produced by forced labor, (2) OSD [Office of the Secretary of Defense] monitors DeCA's and the exchanges' compliance with their policies and processes, and (3) opportunities exist for DeCA and the exchanges to use information from other federal agencies to inform their efforts. GAO analyzed DOD policies and processes related to the resale of goods that may be produced by forced labor and interviewed DOD and other federal agency officials. [...] GAO is making four recommendations, including that DOD establish an overarching policy and consistent processes to better prevent the availability of goods produced by forced labor, establish an oversight mechanism to monitor implementation, and use available federal information to identify risks. DOD concurred with these recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
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COVID-19: Federal Efforts to Provide Vaccines to Racial and Ethnic Groups, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] continues to have devastating effects on public health, serious economic repercussions, and has disproportionately affected some racial and ethnic groups. Ensuring all racial and ethnic groups have fair access to the COVID-19 vaccine is critical to reducing severe COVID-19 health outcomes and saving lives. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report describes, among other things, the actions CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], HRSA [Health Resources and Services Administration], and FEMA have taken through their programs to provide COVID-19 vaccines to underserved and historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups, and the extent to which these programs vaccinated various racial and ethnic groups."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-02
