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Drug Safety: COVID-19 Complicates Already Challenged FDA Foreign Inspection Program, Statement of Mary Denigan-Macauley, Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "The outbreak of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] has called greater attention to the United States' reliance on foreign drug manufacturers and further highlighted the importance of ensuring a safe pharmaceutical supply chain. Much of the manufacturing of drugs for treating COVID-19 occurs overseas, which is also true of the majority of other drugs marketed in the United States. While the volume of drugs manufactured overseas for the U.S. market is not fully known, FDA [Food and Drug Administration] reports that about 70 percent of establishments manufacturing active ingredients and more than 50 percent of establishments manufacturing finished drugs for the U.S. market were located overseas, as of August 2019."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Denigan-Macauley, Mary
2020-06-02
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Internet Protocol Version 6: DOD Needs to Improve Transition Planning, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "An internet protocol provides the addressing mechanism that defines how and where information moves across interconnected networks. Increased use of the internet has exhausted available IPv4 [Internet Protocol version 4] address space, spurring the adoption of its successor protocol, IPv6 [Internet Protocol version 6]. OMB has required that agencies plan for transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6. Senate and House reports accompanying the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act included provisions for GAO to review DOD's IPv6 transition planning efforts. This report (1) identifies past DOD attempts to transition to IPv6, (2) examines the extent to which DOD has completed OMB's [Office of Management and Budget] planning requirements for its current transition effort, and (3) identifies DOD's progress in completing its own IPv6 transition activities. To do so, GAO assessed DOD's IPv6 transition plans and documentation against OMB's requirements, reviewed DOD's planned IPv6 transition activities, and interviewed agency officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Defense Acquisitions Annual Assessment: Drive to Deliver Capabilities Faster Increases Importance of Program Knowledge and Consistent Data for Oversight, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "This report (1) summarizes the characteristics of 121 weapon and IT [information technology] programs, (2) examines cost and schedule measures and other topics for these same programs, and (3) summarizes selected organizational and legislative changes. GAO identified the 121 programs for review based on their cost and acquisition status. GAO selected organizational and legislative changes that it determined related to the execution and oversight of the 121 programs. GAO reviewed relevant legislation and DOD reports, collected data from program offices through a questionnaire, and interviewed DOD officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Agile Software Development: DHS Has Made Significant Progress in Implementing Leading Practices, but Needs to Take Additional Actions, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Many of DHS's major IT [information technology] acquisition programs have taken longer than expected to develop or failed to deliver the desired value. In April 2016, to help improve the department's IT acquisition and management, DHS identified Agile software development as the preferred approach for all of its IT programs and projects. GAO was asked to examine DHS's adoption of Agile software development. The objective of this review was to assess the extent to which DHS has addressed selected leading practices for its transition to the use of Agile software development."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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K-12 Education: School Districts Frequently Identified Multiple Building Systems Needing Updates or Replacement, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "Public school facilities primarily serve an educational role, and they also serve a civic role as voting places and emergency shelters. School districts collectively spend tens of billions of dollars each year on facilities construction needs at the nearly 100,000 K-12 [kindergarten through twelfth grade] public schools nationwide. [...] This report examines (1) the common facility condition issues school districts identify in public schools and how they have done so and (2) school districts' highest priorities for their school facility renovations and updates, and how districts and states fund them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Electronic Health Records: Ongoing Stakeholder Involvement Needed in the Department of Veterans Affairs' Modernization Effort, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "GAO was asked to review VA's [Department of Veterans Affairs] EHR [electronic health record] system configuration process. This report examines, among other objectives: (1) how VA made EHR system configuration decisions and assessed the compatibility of the commercial EHR system with its work processes; and (2) the effectiveness of VA's decision-making procedures, including ensuring key stakeholder involvement."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Nuclear Weapons: NNSA Needs to Incorporate Additional Management Controls Over Its Microelectronics Activities, Report to Congressional Committees
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Microelectronics (see figure) form the basis of nearly all electronic products, including nuclear weapons. U.S. nuclear weapons use a unique supply of 'strategic radiation-hardened' microelectronics that must function properly when exposed to high levels of radiation. NNSA's [National Nuclear Security Administration] facilities at Sandia are the only source for these unique microelectronics, and the age of the facilities may pose significant risk to NNSA's capability after 2025. A Senate committee report accompanying the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 included a provision for GAO to review NNSA's strategic radiation-hardened microelectronics activities. This report (1) describes NNSA's actions over the past decade to sustain existing facilities and identify future alternatives; and (2) examines NNSA's ongoing approach to managing its microelectronics activities and the extent to which this approach incorporates key management controls. GAO reviewed documents and interviewed officials and contractor representatives from NNSA and Sandia, toured Sandia's microelectronics facilities, and reviewed NNSA program and project management controls."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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2020 Census: COVID-19 Presents Delays and Risks to Census Count, A Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "The 2020 Decennial Census began its operations to count the population of the United States. However, the COVID-19 national emergency has forced the Bureau to adjust its plans and timelines for conducting these operations. The delays to key operations could adversely impact downstream operations, undermine the overall quality of the count, and escalate census costs. Over the past decade, GAO has made 112 recommendations specific to the 2020 Census to help address issues such as cost estimation, key innovations, and acquisition and development of IT systems. The Department of Commerce has generally agreed with the recommendations. To date, the Bureau has implemented 90 and GAO has closed 1 recommendation as not implemented. As of June 2020, 21 of the recommendations had not been fully implemented."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Rule of Law Assistance: Agency Efforts Are Guided by Various Strategies, and Overseas Missions Should Ensure That Programming is Fully Coordinated, Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Rule of law strengthens protection of fundamental rights, ensures a robust civil society, and serves as a foundation for democratic governance and economic growth. According to State, countries with a strong rule of law provide a more level playing field for American businesses to engage and compete, and countries with a weak rule of law can potentially export transnational threats and economic insecurity, undermining the interests of the United States. GAO was asked to review U.S. rule of law assistance around the world. This report examines (1) how State and USAID [United States Agency for International Development] allocated funds for this assistance in fiscal years 2014 through 2018, (2) how agencies strategically plan and allocate this assistance globally, and (3) what processes agencies have to design, implement, and coordinate this assistance in selected countries."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Science & Tech Spotlight: COVID-19 Modeling
From the Document: "Infectious disease models can help guide major policy decisions, such as how to allocate health care resources in the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] response. However, limitations in data inputs and assumptions can lead to considerable uncertainty in model estimates. Interpreting these estimates requires understanding their purpose, limitations, and assumptions."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Persons, Timothy M.
2020-06
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Domestic Violence: Improved Data Needed to Identify the Prevalence of Brain Injuries Among Victims, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Document: "Research has found brain injuries to be common among victims of intimate partner violence, and that such injuries are under-diagnosed and under-treated. House Report 115-952 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on the relationship between intimate partner violence and brain injuries. GAO (1) describes efforts to provide education, screen for, or treat brain injuries resulting from intimate partner violence; and (2) examines what is known about the prevalence of brain injuries resulting from intimate partner violence, including HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] efforts to determine prevalence. GAO reviewed peer-reviewed literature, federal websites, and documentation from HHS and DOJ [Department of Justice]. GAO also interviewed officials from HHS, DOJ, and 11 non-federal stakeholders, such as domestic violence organizations. GAO identified 12 initiatives, though this list may not be exhaustive, and conducted site visits to three of them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Federal Prisons: Additional Analysis Needed to Determine Whether to Issue Pepper Spray to Minimum Security Prisons, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Document: "Within the Department of Justice, BOP [Bureau of Prisons] is responsible for housing male and female federal inmates at 122 prisons in a safe environment for staff and inmates. Pepper spray is one of the methods BOP employees use to enhance their safety. 'The Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015' includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to examine certain matters related to the issuance of pepper spray to officers and employees in BOP prisons. This report addresses (1) what is known about the effectiveness and cost of issuing pepper spray in BOP's high, medium, low, and administrative security prisons; (2) BOP's position on expanding the issuance of pepper spray to minimum security prisons and the support used to make this decision; and (3) the challenges, if any, BOP officials identified as affecting the safety of BOP employees and the steps, if any, BOP has taken to address them. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed BOP policies, guidance, incident reports, and cost data on pepper spray use and interviewed knowledgeable officials at BOP headquarters and nine prisons at three locations, selected to represent varying security levels and other characteristics."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Compacts of Free Association: Populations in U.S. Areas Have Grown, with Varying Reported Effects, Report to the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senate
From the Document: "The U.S. compacts of free association permit eligible citizens from the freely associated states (FAS), including Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, to migrate to the United States and its territories without visa and labor certification requirements. In fiscal year 2004, Congress authorized and appropriated $30 million annually for 20 years to help defray costs associated with compact migration in affected jurisdictions, particularly Hawaii, Guam, and the CNMI [Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands]. This funding ends in 2023, though migration to U.S. areas is permitted to continue and is expected to grow. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review topics related to compact migration. This report describes (1) estimated compact migrant populations and recent trends in compact migration; (2) reported costs related to compact migration in Hawaii, Guam, and the CNMI; and (3) effects of compact migration on governments, workforces, and societies in these and other U.S. areas. GAO reviewed Census Bureau data to determine the numbers of compact migrants in U.S. areas. In addition, GAO interviewed federal, state, and territory government officials; representatives of private sector and nonprofit groups employing or serving compact migrants; FAS embassy and consular officials; and members of compact migrant communities."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Department of Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Management and Oversight of Dependency Determinations for Incapacitated Adult Children, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
From the Document: "Military families with adult children who are incapable of self-support due to impairment face unique challenges, including the loss of healthcare and other benefits if these incapacitated adult children lose their dependency status. Senate Report 115-262 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DOD's dependency determination process for incapacitated adult children. This report assesses, among other things, the extent to which the military services have established policy for determining the dependency status of incapacitated adult children, and the extent to which DOD oversees dependency determinations, including tracking, monitoring, and reporting on applications and determinations. GAO reviewed relevant policies and guidance; interviewed DOD and military service officials and families involved in the dependency determination process; and analyzed program data."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Public Health Preparedness: HHS Should Take Actions to Ensure it Has an Adequate Number of Effectively Trained Emergency Responders, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Document: "Major natural disasters in the past 3 years, as well as the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, have heightened attention to the nation's ability to respond to these types of emergencies. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for leading the public health and medical response to emergencies. HHS responded to COVID-19, in part, by deploying responders enrolled in the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). These individuals, such as doctors and nurses, generally work outside the federal government and are federal employees used intermittently. In 2018, HHS developed an enrollment target for NDMS of 6,290 responders, but GAO [Government Accountability Office] found HHS did not follow key principles of effective strategic workforce planning in developing this target. For example, HHS did not identify the critical skills and competencies needed of its NDMS workforce to meet current and future programmatic results. Specifically, HHS's target does not take into consideration three key areas: a workforce capable of responding to (1) a nationwide event or multiple concurrent events, (2) the needs of at-risk individuals, and (3) the availability of other medical responders. Consequently, HHS cannot be sure its target, if achieved, will provide an adequate number of responders with the skill sets needed to effectively respond."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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COVID-19: Opportunities to Improve Federal Response and Recovery Efforts, Report to the Congress
From the Document: "The outbreak of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] quickly spread around the globe. As of June 17, 2020, the United States had over 2 million reported cases of COVID-19, and over 100,000 reported deaths, according to federal agencies. Parts of the nation have also seen severely strained health care systems. Also, the country has experienced a significant and rapid downturn in the economy. Four relief laws, including the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act, were enacted as of June 2020 to provide appropriations to address the public health and economic threats posed by COVID-19. In addition, the administration created the White House Coronavirus Task Force. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report bimonthly on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This initial report examines key actions the federal government has taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving lessons learned relevant to the nation's response to pandemics, among other things. GAO reviewed data and documents from federal agencies about their activities and interviewed federal and state officials as well as industry representatives. GAO also reviewed available economic, health, and budgetary data."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Military Depots: The Navy Needs Improved Planning to Address Persistent Aircraft Maintenance Delays While Air Force Maintenance Has Generally Been Timely, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Document: "Three Air Force and three Navy aviation depots maintain critical fixed-wing aviation platforms, such as the KC-135 aerial refuelers and F/A-18 fighters. The ability of these depots to complete maintenance on time directly affects military readiness because delays reduce the time aircraft are available for operations and training. Senate Report 115-262, accompanying a bill for the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, contained provisions that GAO [Government Accountability Office] examine the Department of Defense's (DOD) aviation depots. GAO's report evaluates the extent to which 1) the Air Force and Navy aviation depots completed selected fixed-wing aircraft maintenance on time from fiscal year 2014 through 2019, and 2) the Air Force and Navy accurately planned for depot maintenance requirements from fiscal year 2014 through 2019 and addressed any associated challenges. GAO selected a non-generalizable sample of 18 Air Force and 18 Navy fixed-wing aircraft types; analyzed maintenance and planning data for fiscal year 2014 through 2019; and interviewed service officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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USAID: Mixed Progress in Increasing Diversity, and Actions Needed to Consistently Meet EEO Requirements, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Document: "USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] has a stated commitment to fostering an inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of the United States and has undertaken efforts to increase diversity in its Civil and Foreign Services. However, concerns about the demographic composition of USAID's workforce are longstanding. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review issues related to the diversity of USAID's workforce. This report examines, among other things, the demographic composition of USAID's workforce in fiscal years 2002 through 2018, differences between promotion outcomes for racial or ethnic minorities, and the extent to which USAID has identified workforce diversity issues and worked to address those issues. GAO analyzed USAID's personnel data for its fulltime, permanent, career workforce for fiscal years 2002 through 2018--the most recent available data. GAO's analyses do not completely explain the reasons for differences in promotion outcomes, which may result from various unobservable factors. Thus, GAO's analyses do not establish a causal relationship between demographic characteristics and promotion outcomes. GAO also reviewed USAID documents and interviewed USAID officials and members of 13 employee groups."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Unmanned Aerial Systems: Air Force Should Take Additional Steps to Improve Aircrew Staffing and Support, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Document: "High demand and constant combat operations have created challenges for Air Force RPA [remotely piloted aircraft] pilots and sensor operators who conduct missions across the world. In January 2017, the Air Force approved a combat-to-dwell policy to better balance RPA units' time in combat with non-combat activities. It plans to fully implement the policy in 2024. Senate Report 115-262 included a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] review ongoing challenges in the Air Force RPA community. This report assesses, among other things, the extent to which the Air Force (1) met overall RPA pilot and sensor operator staffing targets and tracked its progress in implementing its combat-to-dwell policy and (2) identified and met instructor staffing levels at its RPA formal training unit. GAO analyzed selected Air Force accession, retention, and instructor staffing data; held non-generalizable focus groups at three RPA military bases; and interviewed officials at various levels of the RPA enterprise."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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National Flood Insurance Program: Fiscal Exposure Persists Despite Property Acquisitions, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Document: "NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program] has faced significant financial challenges over the years, highlighted by a rise in catastrophic flood events and its $20.5 billion debt to Treasury. Contributing to these challenges are repetitive loss properties--those that have flooded and received a claim payment multiple times. Acquiring and demolishing these properties is one alternative to paying for repeated claims, but questions exist about the cost, efficiency, and effectiveness of this approach. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review FEMA's property acquisition efforts as a means of addressing NFIP's financial challenges. This report examines (1) funding programs available for acquisitions, (2) FEMA's flood mitigation efforts, and (3) factors contributing to NFIP's fiscal exposure. To conduct this work, GAO reviewed FEMA guidance and other documentation; analyzed FEMA data sets related to NFIP policies and claims, repetitive loss properties, and mitigation projects; and interviewed FEMA officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Science & Tech Spotlight: E-Cigarettes
From the Document: "With millions of teens and young adults using e-cigarettes, a new generation could become addicted to nicotine and face other health risks. For some adult smokers, e-cigarettes may offer a less harmful substitute for traditional cigarettes. However, long-term effects on users, second-hand exposure, and environmental effects are not yet fully known."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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FY 2019 Government Shutdown: Selected Agencies Could Improve Contingency Planning for Potential Shutdown Scenarios and Strengthen Some Internal Controls, Report to the Ranking Member Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the Document: "A lapse in appropriations resulted in the federal government partially shutting down from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to evaluate agency contingency plans and operations during the FY 2019 shutdown. This report assesses the extent to which selected agencies and selected components (1) had contingency plans that were consistent with applicable OMB [Office of Management and Budget] guidance, (2) planned for a potential prolonged shutdown and changed operations during the shutdown, and (3) had shutdown policies and procedures consistent with relevant internal control principles. GAO selected CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection], IRS [Internal Revenue Service], ITA [International Trade Administration], and USTR [U.S. Trade Representative] as agency components for review because they are under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Finance and were affected by the FY 2019 shutdown. GAO reviewed OMB's guidance, agencies' contingency plans, and other documentation. GAO interviewed agency and component officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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K-12 Education: Characteristics of School Shootings, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "In addition to the potential loss of life, school shootings can evoke feelings of profound fear and anxiety that disturb a community's sense of safety and security. Questions have been raised about whether schools' approaches to addressing student behavior are a factor in school shootings. These approaches include discipline that removes the offending students from the classroom or school, and preventative approaches meant to change student behaviors before problems arise. GAO was asked to examine school shootings, including the link between discipline and shootings. This report examines 1) the characteristics of school shootings and affected schools, and 2) what is known about the link between discipline and school shootings. To do so, GAO analyzed data on school shootings and school characteristics for school years 2009-10 through 2018-19; and conducted a literature review to identify empirical research from 2009 to 2019 that examined discipline approaches in school, and the effects of these approaches on outcomes of school gun violence, school violence, or school safety. GAO also interviewed selected researchers to gather perspectives about challenges and limitations in conducting research on school discipline and school shootings."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Broadband: Observations on Past and Ongoing Efforts to Expand Access and Improve Mapping Data, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Document: "Broadband is critical for economic, educational, and personal uses. Industry and federal investments have made broadband available to the vast majority of Americans. For example, FCC's [Federal Communications Commission] high-cost program provides funding to broadband providers to deploy broadband in rural, insular, and high-cost areas. However, some rural areas continue to lack access due, in part, to challenges with providing service to areas where deployment costs are high and returns on investment are low. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to examine the current state of broadband investment and deployment. This report examines (1) industry and federal investments to deploy broadband in the United States since 2009, and (2) efforts federal agencies are making to address deployment challenges."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Improper Payments: Improvements Needed to Ensure Reliability and Accuracy in DOE's Risk Assessments and Reporting, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Document: "Improper payments--payments that should not have been made or were made in an incorrect amount--are a significant problem in the federal government. Agencies are required to perform risk assessments to identify programs that are susceptible to significant improper payments. House Report 115-697 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DOE's [Department of Energy] system for tracking improper payments. This report examines the extent to which (1) the amounts reported in DOE's AFRs [agency financial reports] for fiscal years 2015 through 2019 were accurate and complete, and (2) its fiscal year 2018 risk assessment provided a reasonable basis for its risk determination. GAO reviewed DOE's improper payment reporting for fiscal years 2015 through 2019 and its fiscal year 2018 risk assessment, and reviewed documents and interviewed officials from 10 of 48 reporting sites selected to provide a range of sites and about half of fiscal year 2018 reported improper payments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Social Cost of Carbon: Identifying a Federal Entity to Address the National Academies' Recommendations Could Strengthen Regulatory Analysis, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "To address climate change, some countries develop monetary estimates to assess the costs and benefits of government actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide. In the United States, in 2009, OMB [Office of Management and Budget] convened an interagency working group to estimate the social cost of carbon--the dollar value of the effects of an incremental increase in carbon dioxide emissions in a given year--for assessing regulatory costs and benefits. In 2017, the National Academies recommended updates to the methods used to develop the estimates. Later that year, Executive Order 13783 disbanded the working group, withdrew its guidance, and directed agencies to ensure that, to the extent permitted by law, estimates are consistent with Circular A-4, OMB's general guidance for regulatory analysis. GAO was asked to review approaches for developing and using the estimates. This report examines, among other objectives: (1) how the federal government's current estimates compare to its prior estimates and (2) how the federal government plans to address the recommendations of the National Academies. GAO reviewed executive orders, OMB guidance, and regulatory impact analyses and interviewed OMB, EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration], and BLM [Bureau of Land Management] officials and staff who had conducted such analyses."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Small Business Contracting: Better Documentation and Reporting Needed on Procurement Center Representatives, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "The Small Business Act establishes tools to enhance procurement opportunities for small businesses, such as set-asides and requirements that large contractors set goals for using small business subcontractors. SBA's [Small Business Administration] PCRs [procurement center representatives] advocate for the inclusion of small businesses during the procurement process. GAO was asked to examine how PCRs help small businesses gain access to federal contracting and subcontracting opportunities. This report addresses, among other objectives, (1) documentation SBA maintains on the activities of PCRs and (2) how SBA assigns PCRs to cover buying activities and its requirement to report to Congress on these assignments. GAO reviewed SBA policies and procedures, data on PCR assignments, and selected data reported by PCRs and related documentation. GAO also interviewed agency officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Climate Resilience: Actions Needed to Ensure DOD Considers Climate Risks to Contractors as Part of Acquisition, Supply, and Risk Assessment, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Document: "Since 2010, DOD has identified climate change as a threat to its operations and installations. The department relies on contracted goods and services for its mission and installations. Climate change is projected to have broad effects that could affect DOD's supply chains, and any associated risks to contractors can have an impact on DOD. One way DOD assesses risk to its missions is through mission assurance, which is a process to protect or ensure the function of capabilities and assets critical to its missions. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review potential threats to national security from the effects of climate change on defense contractors. GAO examined the extent to which DOD assesses the potential effects on its operations from climate change and extreme weather risks faced by its contractors through the department's (1) acquisition and supply processes, and (2) mission assurance process. GAO reviewed DOD acquisition, supply, and mission assurance documents and interviewed relevant DOD officials and contractor representatives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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K-12 Education: School Districts Need Better Information to Help Improve Access for People with Disabilities, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "National reports have raised concerns about the physical accessibility of public school facilities for people with disabilities. These facilities serve important roles as schools, voting locations, and emergency shelters, among other things. GAO was asked to examine the physical accessibility of public school facilities. This report examines the extent to which (1) school districts have school facilities with physical barriers that may limit access for people with disabilities, (2) districts plan to improve the accessibility of school facilities and the challenges they face, and (3) Justice and Education assist districts and states in improving school facilities' physical accessibility. GAO conducted a nationally representative survey of school districts; surveyed states and the District of Columbia; examined 55 schools across six states, selected for variation in size and other characteristics; reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and guidance; and interviewed federal, state, and school district officials, and national disability groups."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
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Sexual Harassment: Inconsistent and Incomplete Policies and Information Hinder VA's Efforts to Protect Employees, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Highlights: "According to estimates from a recent federal survey, 18 to 27 percent of VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] employees experienced some form of sexual harassment at work from mid-2014 through mid-2016. Sexual harassment negatively affects employees and employers and, if severe or pervasive, can constitute unlawful employment discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. GAO was asked to review VA's efforts to prevent and address sexual harassment of its employees. This report examines (1) the extent to which VA has policies to prevent and address sexual harassment, (2) how available data inform VA about sexual harassment, and (3) the extent to which VA provides training to employees on preventing and addressing sexual harassment. GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and policy and program documents; analyzed VA complaint data for fiscal years 2014 through 2019 and data from a 2016 federal survey; and interviewed VA officials at headquarters and select facilities across VA, two union officials, and EEOC [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission] officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-06
