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Defense Acquisition Workforce: DOD Increased Use of Human Capital Flexibilities but Could Improve Monitoring, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DOD's implementation of human capital flexibilities for its acquisition workforce. This report: (1) provides information on DOD's use of human capital flexibilities and (2) determines the extent to which DOD has monitored and assessed its use of these flexibilities. GAO reviewed relevant statutes, and DOD policies, guidance, and acquisition workforce plans; analyzed DOD's fiscal year 2014-2018 civilian acquisition workforce personnel data; and interviewed DOD officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-08
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Defense Travel: DOD Should Strengthen Its Ongoing Actions to Reduce Improper Travel Payments, Report to Congressional Addressee
From the Highlights: "This report examines (1) the amount DOD spent on DTS [Defense Travel System] travel payments for fiscal years 2016 through 2018 and how much of those payments DOD estimated to be improper and the extent to which DOD has (2) implemented its Remediation Plan and (3) identified travel payment errors, the root causes of those errors, and the cost-effectiveness of addressing root causes. GAO [Government Accountability Office] analyzed fiscal years 2016 through 2018 data on DTS payments, reviewed DOD's Plan and documentation, interviewed officials about implementation efforts, and surveyed 52 DOD components about steps taken to address improper travel payments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-08
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Security Assistance: U.S. Agencies Should Improve Oversight of Human Rights Training for Foreign Security Forces, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Congress included a provision in the NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] for Fiscal Year 2018 for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review human rights training for foreign security forces. This report, among other objectives, (1) describes the entities through which DOD and State provide such training, (2) assesses the extent to which DOD and State track the provision of and funding for such training, and (3) examines the extent to which DOD and State have evaluated the effectiveness of the training. GAO reviewed laws, regulations, guidance, agency training and funding data, and course catalogs, and interviewed agency officials. [...] GAO is making three recommendations, including that the Secretary of Defense establish a process to systematically track mandated human rights training and develop a timeline for implementing monitoring and evaluation. DOD agreed. GAO also recommends that the Secretary of State develop a plan with a timeline to monitor and evaluate such training. State disagreed. GAO continues to believe the recommendation is valid as discussed in the report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-08
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Bank Secrecy Act: Agencies and Financial Institutions Share Information but Metrics and Feedback Not Regularly Provided, Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "This report examines, among other objectives, how FinCEN [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network] and supervisory and law enforcement agencies (1) collaborate and (2) provide metrics and feedback on the usefulness of BSA [Bank Secrecy Act] reporting. GAO reviewed related laws and regulations; agency documentation; examination and enforcement action data; and interviewed FinCEN, supervisory agencies, and a nongeneralizable selection of six law enforcement agencies and seven industry associations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-08
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Critical Infrastructure Protection: Actions Needed to Address Significant Cybersecurity Risks Facing the Electric Grid, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "GAO was asked to review the cybersecurity of the grid. Among other things, this report (1) describes the cybersecurity risks facing the grid, (2) assesses the extent to which DOE [Department of Energy] has defined a strategy for addressing grid cybersecurity risks, and (3) assesses the extent to which FERC [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]-approved standards address grid cybersecurity risks."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-08
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Elder Abuse: Federal Requirements for Oversight in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities Differ, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The federal government and states share responsibility for the health and welfare of about 1.5 million individuals-- most of them vulnerable older adults-- receiving long-term care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities covered by Medicare and Medicaid. For nursing homes, which provide skilled nursing care, federal law defines applicable quality standards and CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] provides guidance for nursing homes and the state survey agencies to help protect residents from elder abuse. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review federal oversight of elder abuse reporting, investigation, and law enforcement notification in both nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In this report, GAO describes federal requirements for reporting, investigating, and notifying law enforcement about elder abuse in both types of facilities."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-08
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Intelligence Community: Actions Needed to Improve Planning and Oversight of the Centers for Academic Excellence Program, Report to Congressional Requesters
"A trusted, diverse workforce with the right expertise is critical to ensuring the IC achieves its mission of delivering distinctive, timely insights with clarity, objectivity, and independence. ODNI [Office
of the Director of National Intelligence] established the IC CAE [Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence] program in 2005 to educate highly qualified students of diverse backgrounds and encourage them to pursue careers in the IC. ODNI and DIA [Defense Intelligence Agency] have provided 29 colleges a total of 46 IC CAE grants through fiscal year 2018, totaling approximately $69 million through fiscal year 2021. This report evaluates the extent to which (1) DIA has planned and overseen the IC CAE program since 2011 and (2) selected IC elements are participating in the IC CAE program and have clearly defined roles."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Mazanec, Brian M.
2019-08
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Positive Train Control: As Implementation Progresses, Focus Turns to the Complexities of Achieving System Interoperability, Statement of Susan Fleming, Director, Physical Infrastructure, Testimony Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Forty-two railroads are currently subject to the statutory mandate to implement PTC [positive train control], a communications-based system designed to automatically slow or stop a train that is not being operated safely. Railroads were required to implement PTC by December 31, 2018, but would receive extensions up to December 31, 2020, if specific statutory requirements were met. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review railroads' PTC implementation progress. This statement discusses (1) railroads' implementation progress and any related implementation challenges and (2) FRA's [Federal Railroad Administration] plans for overseeing railroads' implementation. GAO analyzed railroads' most recent quarterly reports covering activities through March 31, 2019; received responses from all 42 railroads on a brief questionnaire; and interviewed officials from FRA and 8 railroads, selected to include variation in implementation status and type of railroad, among other criteria."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Fleming, Susan A.
2019-07-31
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Human Capital: Improving Federal Recruiting and Hiring Efforts, Statement of Yvonne D. Jones, Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Strategic human capital management plays a critical role in maximizing the government's performance and assuring its accountability to Congress and to the nation as a whole. GAO [Government Accountability Office] designated strategic human capital management as a government-wide, high-risk area in 2001. Since then, important progress has been made. However, retirements and the potential loss of leadership and institutional knowledge, coupled with fiscal pressures, underscore the importance of a strategic and efficient approach to acquiring and retaining individuals with critical skills. As a result, strategic human capital management remains on GAO's High-Risk List. This testimony is based on a large body of GAO work issued from May 2008 through May 2019. This testimony, among other things, focuses on key human capital areas where some actions have been taken but attention is still needed by OPM [Office of Personnel Management] and federal agencies on issues including: (1) addressing critical skills gaps and (2) recruiting and hiring talented employees."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Jones, Yvonne D.
2019-07-30
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Electronic Health Records: VA Needs to Identify and Report Existing System Costs, Statement of Carol C. Harris, Director, Information Technology Management Issues, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] provides health care services to approximately 9 million veterans and their families and relies on its health information system--VistA--to do so. However, the system is more than 30 years old, is costly to maintain, and does not fully support exchanging health data with DOD and private health care providers. Over nearly 2 decades, VA has pursued multiple efforts to modernize the system. In June 2017, the department announced plans to acquire the same system--the Cerner system--that the Department of Defense is implementing. VA plans to continue using VistA during the department's decade-long transition to the Cerner system. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to summarize its report that is being released today which discusses, among other things, (1) the extent to which VA has defined VistA and (2) the department's annual costs to develop and sustain the system. In preparing the report on which this testimony is based, GAO analyzed documentation that defines aspects of VistA and identifies components to be replaced; and evaluated the reliability of cost data, including funding obligations associated with the development and sustainment of VistA for fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Harris, Carol C.
2019-07-25
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Chemical Innovation: Technologies for Making Products and Processes More Sustainable, Statement of Timothy M. Persons, Chief Scientist and Managing Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Chemistry contributes to virtually every aspect of modern life, and the chemical industry supports nearly 26 percent of the gross domestic product of the United States. While these are positive contributions, chemical processes and production can have negative health and environmental consequences. Mitigating these potential consequences requires thoughtful design and evaluation of the life cycle effects of chemical processes and products. This testimony--based on a 2018 technology assessment, GAO-18-307-- discusses (1) how stakeholders define and assess the sustainability of chemical processes and products, (2) available or developing technologies to make chemical processes and products more sustainable, (3) the roles of the federal government and others in supporting the development and use of more sustainable chemical processes and products, and (4) opportunities and challenges in the field of sustainable chemistry."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Persons, Timothy M.
2019-07-25
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Financial Technology: Agencies Should Provide Clarification on Lenders' Use of Alternative Data, Statement of Lawrance L. Evans, Jr., Managing Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony Before the Task Force on Financial Technology, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "Fintech refers to the use of technology and innovation to provide financial products and services. Fintech lenders are nonbank firms that operate online and may use alternative data to make loan decisions. In December 2018, GAO [Government Accountability Office] issued a report that examined fintech lenders' use of alternative data. The three fintech lending segments that GAO reviewed are personal, small business, and student loans. This statement--based on GAO's December 2018 report (GAO-19-111)-- discusses (1) fintech lenders' use of alternative data, (2) potential benefits and risks of alternative data, and (3) the extent to which federal agencies monitor lenders' use of these data. For that report, GAO reviewed literature and agency documents; analyzed relevant federal guidance; conducted interviews with agency officials and industry stakeholders; and interviewed a sample of 11 fintech lenders (selected based on size, products offered, and other factors)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Evans, Lawrance Lee, Jr., 1970-
2019-07-25
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Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Improvements Needed to Strengthen Reporting on 9/11-Related Claims
From the Document: "To determine the extent to which DOJ [Department of Justice] offsets benefits for public safety officers who are eligible to receive them from both the PSOB [Public
Safety Officers' Benefits] and VCF [September 11th Victim Compensation Fund] programs, we electronically matched claims data from the two programs using five digits of the claimants' Social Security number, name, and date of birth. Our match considered all of the approximately 1,750 public safety officers who received PSOB benefits from 2013 to 2018 and the more than 23,500 claimants who received VCF compensation from 2001 to 2018 (some of whom were public safety officers). We reviewed these matched claims to verify whether an offset was correctly applied. In addition, we visited DOJ offices to conduct a case file review for any matched claims where it was unclear whether benefits had been offset accurately. [...] We conducted this performance audit from May 2018 through July 2019 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
2019-07-25
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2020 Census: Bureau Needs to Take Additional Actions to Address Key Risks to a Successful Enumeration, Statement of Robert Goldenkoff, Director, Strategic Issues, and Nick Marinos, Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The Bureau is responsible for conducting a complete and accurate decennial census of the U.S. population. The decennial census is mandated by the Constitution and provides vital data for the nation. A complete count of the nation's population is an enormous undertaking as the Bureau seeks to control the cost of the census, implement operational innovations, and use new and modified IT [information technology] systems. In recent years, GAO [Government Accountability Office] has identified challenges that raise serious concerns about the Bureau's ability to conduct a cost-effective count. For these reasons, GAO added the 2020 Census to its High-Risk list in February 2017. GAO was asked to testify about the reasons the 2020 Census remains on the High-Risk List and the steps the Bureau needs to take to mitigate risks to a successful census. To do so, GAO summarized its prior work regarding the Bureau's planning efforts for the 2020 Census. GAO also included preliminary observations from its ongoing work examining the IT systems readiness and cybersecurity for the 2020 Census. This information is related to, among other things, the Bureau's progress in developing and testing key systems and the status of cybersecurity risks."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Goldenkoff, Robert; Marinos, Nick
2019-07-24
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Veterans Health Care: Opportunities Remain to Improve Appointment Scheduling Within VA and Through Community Care, Statement of Debra A. Draper, Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Committee on Veteran' Affairs, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The majority of veterans utilizing VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] health care services receive care in VA-operated medical facilities, including 172 VA medical centers and more than 1,000 outpatient facilities. For nearly 20 years, GAO [Government Accountability Office] has reported on the challenges VA medical facilities have faced providing health care services in a timely manner. When veterans face wait times at VA medical facilities, they may be able to receive services from VA's community care programs, which VA estimates will be 19 percent of its $86.5 billion in health care obligations in fiscal year 2020. This testimony focuses on GAO's large body of work on veterans' access to care and the status of VA's efforts to address GAO's recommendations, including those from GAO's June 2018 report on VA's community care programs and from GAO's December 2012 report on VA's scheduling of timely medical appointments that VA has provided information on through July 2019. It also includes preliminary observations on related ongoing work."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Draper, Debra A.
2019-07-24
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Compacts of Free Association: Trust Funds for Micronesia and the Marshall Islands Are Unlikely to Fully Replace Expiring U.S. Annual Grant Assistance, Statement of David Gootnick, Director, International Affairs and Trade, Testimony Before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senate
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "This testimony summarizes GAO's May 2018 report on compact grants and trust funds (GAO-18-415). In that report, GAO examined (1) the use and role of U.S. funds and programs in the FSM [Federated States of Micronesia] and RMI [Republic of the Marshall Islands] budgets, (2) projected compact trust fund disbursements,and (3) trust fund committee actions needed to address the 2023 transition to trust fund income. For this testimony, GAO also reviewed key variables for its trust fund model as of June 2019 to determine whether these variables had substantially changed. In addition, GAO reviewed the status of Interior's response to GAO's May 2018 recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Gootnick, David B.
2019-07-23
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Nursing Homes: Improved Oversight Needed to Better Protect Residents from Abuse, Statement of John E. Dicken, Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the Document: "Nationwide, about 1.4 million elderly or disabled individuals receive care in more than 15,500 nursing homes. These nursing home residents often have physical or cognitive limitations that can leave them particularly vulnerable to abuse. Abuse of nursing home residents can occur in many forms--including physical, mental, verbal, and sexual--and can be committed by staff, residents, or others in the nursing home. Any incident of abuse is a serious occurrence and can result in potentially devastating consequences for residents, including lasting mental anguish, serious injury, or death. News stories in recent years have noted disturbing examples of nursing home residents who have been sexually assaulted and physically abused. However, little is known about the full scope of nursing home abuse, as incidents of abuse may be underreported. [...] My testimony today highlights key findings and recommendations from our June 2019 report, which examined: 1. the trends and types of abuse occurring in nursing homes in recent years, 2. the risk factors for abuse and challenges facing stakeholder agencies involved in investigating abuse in nursing homes, and 3. CMS's [Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services] oversight intended to ensure that nursing home residents are free from abuse."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dicken, John E.
2019-07-23
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Disaster Assistance: FEMA Has Taken Steps Toward Better Supporting Individuals Who Are Older or Have Disabilities, Statement of Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Hightlights: "Three sequential hurricanes--Harvey, Irma, and Maria--affected more than 28 million people in 2017, according to FEMA. Hurricane survivors aged 65 and older and those with disabilities faced particular challenges evacuating to safe shelter, accessing medicine, and obtaining recovery assistance. In June 2018, FEMA began implementing a new approach to assist individuals with disabilities. This statement describes (1) reported challenges faced by these individuals in accessing disaster assistance from FEMA and its nonfederal partners following the 2017 hurricanes; and (2) the extent to which FEMA has implemented changes in how it supports these individuals. This statement is based on a May 2019 GAO report and selected updates. For the report, GAO analyzed FEMA documents and data from FEMA call centers and also visited 2017 hurricane locations to interview state, territorial, and local officials. GAO also interviewed FEMA officials from headquarters and deployed to each disaster location. To update FEMA's progress toward addressing its recommendations, GAO interviewed FEMA officials and analyzed agency documents."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Curda, Elizabeth
2019-07-23
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Management Report: Improvements Are Needed to Enhance the Internal Revenue Service's Information System Security Controls
From the Document: "This report for IRS [Internal Revenue Service]management presents the new control deficiencies we identified during our fiscal year 2018 testing of information system security controls that are relevant to IRS's internal control over financial reporting and associated recommendations to address them. The report also includes the results of our follow-up on the status of the agency's corrective actions to address information system security control deficiencies and associated recommendations contained in our July 2018 report that remained open at the beginning of our fiscal year 2018 audit."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07-18
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Border Security: Assessment of the Department of Homeland Security's Border Security Improvement Plan
From the Document: "Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for border security. CBP manages approximately 7,000 miles of land border and 95,000 miles of shoreline. CBP is also responsible for managing the flow of trade and travel through 328 land, air, and maritime ports of entry. Several offices within CBP help carry out this mission, including the U.S. Border Patrol, Air and Marine Operations, and Office of Field Operations. The DHS Appropriations Act, 2018, required the Secretary of Homeland Security to concurrently submit to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and Comptroller General a riskbased plan for improving security along the borders of the United States, including how CBP intends to use personnel, fencing, other forms of tactical infrastructure, and technology. The act requires us to evaluate this plan and report to the appropriations committees on the strengths and weaknesses of the plan not later than 120 days after receiving it."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07-16
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EPA Advisory Committees: Improvements Needed for Member Appointment Process, Statement of J. Alfredo Gomez, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Subcommittees on Investigations and Oversight, and Environment, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
From the Testimony: "Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our report, publicly released yesterday, on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) process for appointing members to the federal advisory committees it manages under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). These committees play an important role at EPA by providing advice that helps the agency develop regulations, accredit laboratories, and manage research programs, among other activities. As of March 31, 2018, EPA managed 22 such committees. Questions have been raised about EPA's process for appointing members to its federal advisory committees following recent policy changes affecting who serves on these committees. In light of these questions, we were asked to review issues related to how EPA appoints advisory committee members. This statement summarizes key findings from our report, which (1) describes EPA's established process for appointing members to serve on EPA advisory committees; (2) evaluates the extent to which EPA followed its process from fiscal year 2017 through the first two quarters of fiscal year 2018; and (3) describes how, if at all, selected characteristics of EPA's advisory committees changed after January 2017."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Gómez, J. Alfredo
2019-07-16
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2020 Census: Actions Needed to Address Key Risks to a Successful Enumeration, Statement of Robert Goldenkoff, Director, Strategic Issues, and Nick Marinos, Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "The Bureau is responsible for conducting a complete and accurate decennial census of the U.S. population. The decennial census is mandated by the Constitution and provides vital data for the nation. A complete count of the nation's population is an enormous undertaking as the Bureau seeks to control the cost of the census, implement operational innovations, and use new and modified IT [information technology] systems. In recent years, GAO has identified challenges that raise serious concerns about the Bureau's ability to conduct a cost-effective count. For these reasons, GAO added the 2020 Census to its High-Risk list in February 2017."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Goldenkoff, Robert; Marinos, Nick
2019-07-16
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Electronic Cigarettes: U.S. Imports, 2016-2018
From David Gootnick's, Director of International Trade at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), letter to Senator Ron Wyden: "This report examines the customs value, tariff revenue, countries of origin, and ports of entry for e-cigarette devices, parts, and liquid imported during those years. We analyzed the data that were available in April 2019 from the Interactive Tariff and Trade DataWeb maintained by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), which incorporates U.S. trade statistics published by the U.S. Census Bureau (Census). We analyzed import data for the six statistical reporting numbers that covered e-cigarette devices, parts, and liquid in 2016 through 2018. For each reporting number, we analyzed customs value, tariff revenue, country of origin, and port of entry. We also analyzed data on import quantities for four e-cigarette reporting numbers--covering e-cigarette devices and liquid--for which the federal government tracked quantity in 2016 through 2018. [...] In summary, our analysis of U.S. e-cigarette import data for 2016 through 2018 found the following: [...] The customs value of e-cigarette devices, parts, and liquid imported into the United States from 2016 through 2018 was $2.4 billion [....] The customs value of all U.S. e-cigarette imports increased by 300 percent from 2016 to 2018[.]"
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07-12
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Emergency Management: FEMA's Disaster Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Statement of Chris Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
From the Document: "In September 2017, two major hurricanes--Irma and Maria--struck Puerto Rico and the USVI [U.S. Virgin Islands], causing billions of dollars in damage to infrastructure, housing, and the economy. FEMA--a component of the Department of Homeland Security--is the lead federal agency responsible for assisting Puerto Rico and the USVI to recover from these natural disasters. Among other responsibilities, FEMA is administering the Public Assistance program in partnership with the governments of Puerto Rico and the USVI, providing them grant funding for response and recovery activities, including debris removal efforts, lifesaving emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of public infrastructure. This statement describes (1) the status of FEMA's Public Assistance grant funding in Puerto Rico and the USVI in response to the 2017 hurricanes as of April 2019, (2) the establishment of recovery offices in Puerto Rico and the USVI, and (3) challenges in implementing the Public Assistance program and actions FEMA has taken to address them. This statement is based on GAO [Government Accountability Office] reports issued in February, March, and June 2019, and includes preliminary observations from ongoing GAO reviews of FEMA operations. For ongoing work, GAO analyzed program documents and data on obligations and expenditures; interviewed agency officials; and visited disaster-damaged areas in Puerto Rico and the USVI, where GAO also interviewed FEMA and local officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07-11
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Dam Safety: Army Corps' Decisions About and Status of Repayment for Harlan County Dam Repairs
From the Document: "As the largest owner of federal dams, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) operates over 700 dams that provide a wide range of benefits, including protecting communities from floods, generating hydropower, and providing water for irrigation. The Corps conducts routine operations and maintenance activities and, at times, makes major repairs to ensure these dams operate safely. At some dams, nonfederal entities that directly benefit from dam operations--such as power utilities or irrigation districts, called 'users' in this report--are responsible for a share of these routine operations and maintenance costs as well as for any major repair costs due to typical degradation of dams over time. However, when the Corps determines that major repairs are needed because of certain conditions set out in law--such as to meet updated 'state-of-the-art' design criteria deemed necessary to ensure safe operation of the dam--the Corps is to apply a legal authority that lowers the share of costs users normally pay."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07-09
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Air Traffic Control: FAA's Analysis of Costs and Benefits Drove Its Plans to Improve Surveillance in U.S. Oceanic Airspace, Report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "Recent developments in surveillance technologies, which provide an aircraft's location to air traffic controllers, have the potential to improve air traffic operations over the oceans. FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] has explored how to improve surveillance capabilities in U.S. oceanic airspace to take advantage of new international separation standards that could lead to the more efficient use of this airspace. GAO was asked to review planned improvements to aircraft surveillance. This report examines: (1) FAA's approach to enhancing surveillance capabilities to improve safety and efficiency in U.S. oceanic airspace and (2) selected aviation stakeholders' perspectives on FAA's approach."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07
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Nonimmigrant Investors: Actions Needed to Improve E-2 Visa Adjudication and Fraud Coordination, Report to the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee
From the Highlights: "Foreign nationals from 82 countries may obtain E-2 nonimmigrant investor status in the United States. The E-2 nonimmigrant classification allows an eligible foreign national to be temporarily admitted to the United States to direct the operations of a business in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital, or to work in an approved position (e.g., manager or essential employee). To obtain E-2 status, a foreign national can apply through State for an E-2 visa abroad, or if already in the United States, by petitioning USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] to extend or change to E-2 status. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review State's and USCIS' E-2 adjudication process. This report addresses: (1) outcomes and characteristics of foreign nationals who sought or received E-2 status from fiscal years 2014 through 2018, (2) policies and procedures for ensuring that individuals meet E-2 eligibility requirements, and (3) efforts to assess and address potential E-2 fraud. GAO analyzed State and USCIS data on E-2 adjudications, generalizable samples of E-2 visa applications and petitions, and relevant documents. GAO interviewed officials at 14 State posts abroad, selected based on E-2 application volume and other factors, and observed E-2 adjudications at four of these posts and USCIS's California Service Center."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07
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DATA Act: Customer Agencies' Experiences Working with Shared Service Providers for Data Submissions, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "Over the past 2 decades, the federal government has undertaken efforts to save money and increase efficiencies by encouraging agencies to use administrative and operational services and processes that other federal and external parties provide, commonly referred to as shared services. The DATA [Digital Accountability and Transparency Act] Act was enacted to increase accountability and transparency and, among other things, establish government-wide data standards. Certain agencies have used shared services of federal SSPs [shared service providers] to implement the act. The act also requires a series of oversight reports by agencies' Offices of Inspector General (OIG) and GAO [Government Accountability Office]. OIGs for five agencies have made recommendations related to agencies' use of SSPs for DATA Act services, and four agencies concurred with the recommendations. The objectives of this report are to describe (1) the types and variations of services that federal SSPs provide to their financial management customer agencies to assist them with implementing the DATA Act and meeting the act's requirements and (2) the challenges federal SSPs and their financial management customer agencies have encountered in their efforts to ensure the quality of data submissions consistent with DATA Act standards and steps they have taken to address those challenges."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07
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2020 Census: Bureau Is Making Progress Opening Offices and Recruiting, but Could Improve Its Ability to Evaluate Training, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The decennial census is a crucial, constitutionally mandated activity with immutable deadlines. To meet these statutory deadlines, the Bureau carries out thousands of activities that need to be successfully completed on schedule for an accurate, cost-effective head count. These activities include opening area census offices, recruiting and hiring a large temporary workforce, and training that workforce. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the Bureau's plans for critical logistical support activities. This report (1) assesses the Bureau's progress in opening area census offices; (2) determines the extent to which the Bureau is following its field hiring and recruiting strategy for the 2020 Census; and (3) determines the extent to which the Bureau has followed its plans for training field staff, and whether this training approach is consistent with selected leading practices."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07
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Army Modernization: Army Futures Command Should Take Steps to Improve Small Business Engagement for Research and Development, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Senate
From the GAO [Government Accountability Office] Highlights: "The Army is modernizing its weapon systems to improve its ability to face near-peer adversaries. To consolidate and oversee these efforts, the Army established Army Futures Command. The command plans to work with small businesses to develop innovative capabilities through research and development activities. GAO was asked how the establishment of Army Futures Command could affect small businesses that support research and development efforts. This report examines, among other objectives, how the command (1) engages with small businesses and coordinates with other Army organizations and (2) plans to track and measure the effectiveness of that engagement."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2019-07
