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High-Risk: Bureau of Indian Education Has Addressed Some Management Weaknesses, but Additional Work is Needed on Others, Statement of Elizabeth Sirois, Assistant Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, Committee on Education and Labor, and the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "GAO [Government Accountability Office]'s High-Risk List identifies government operations with vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or in need of transformation. GAO added the area 'Improving Federal Management of Programs that Serve Tribes and their Members' to its February 2017 biennial update of high-risk areas. This area includes a component on BIE [Bureau of Indian Education]'s administration of schools for American Indian students. This testimony is based on GAO's March 2021 High-Risk Report [hyperlink] and subsequent updates provided by BIE. This testimony provides examples of actions taken and progress made by BIE to address the five criteria GAO uses to determine whether to remove a high-risk designation. GAO also drew on findings from past reports and testimonies on BIE issues."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Sirois, Elizabeth
2022-06-28
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Coastal Navigation: Authorized Purposes of Jetties, Breakwaters, and Other Structures Can Impact Corps' Maintenance and Repair
From the Document: "The movement of commerce and the presence of water recreation involve the ability of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to provide safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation systems. As part of the Corps' primary missions, the agency is tasked with maintaining and repairing coastal navigation structures that are part of harbors and ports. The Corps' activities, including the type and scope of coastal navigation structures that the Corps may construct and maintain, are authorized by Congress. Corps officials said the authorization usually refers to the document or report recommending the project to Congress, which Congress then references in the legislation--typically a Rivers and Harbors Act or Water Resources Development Act--authorizing the project. These reports can include specific dimensions for the projects, according to the officials. The Corps is permitted to build or improve a structure, consistent with its authorization. [...] A report accompanying the 2020 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill includes a provision for us to review how to increase the Corps' capacity to repair and maintain existing projects before they deteriorate to the point of failure. This report describes what factors, if any, affect the Corps' ability to consider impacts not directly related to navigation when determining which existing coastal navigation structures to maintain and repair. To address this objective, we selected examples, reviewed documents, and interviewed officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Feinstein, Dianne; Kennedy, Kevin (Kevin John), 1955-; Kaptur, Marcy . . .
2022-06-16
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Drug Policy: Preliminary Observations on the 2022 National Drug Control Strategy, Statement of Triana McNeil, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Caucus on International Narcotics Control, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Drug misuse--the use of illicit drugs and the misuse of prescription drugs--has been a persistent and long-standing public health challenge in the U.S. resulting in significant loss of life and a negative effect on society and the economy. These costs are borne by individuals who misuse drugs, as well as their families and employers, private businesses and nonprofit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has a body of work on drug policy and ongoing work on ONDCP [Office of National Drug Control Policy]'s efforts, including issuance of the National Drug Control Strategy. This statement includes preliminary GAO observations on the 2022 National Drug Control Strategy and related findings from selected GAO reports on federal drug control-related efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
McNeil, Triana
2022-06-15
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Government Efficiency and Effectiveness: Additional Opportunities to Reduce Fragmentation, Overlap, and Duplication and Achieve Billions of Dollars in Financial Benefits, Statement of Gene L. Dodaro Comptroller General of the United States, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
From the Document: "I am pleased to be here today to discuss opportunities to reduce fragmentation, overlap, and duplication, and achieve cost savings and other financial benefits for the federal government. GAO [Government Accountability Office] issues annual reports on federal programs, agencies, offices, and initiatives--either within departments or government-wide--that have duplicative goals or activities. As part of this work, GAO also identifies additional opportunities for greater efficiency and effectiveness that result in cost savings or enhanced revenue collection. Opportunities exist for achieving billions of dollars in financial benefits and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a wide range of federal programs in other areas such as, but not limited to, defense, health, and energy."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Dodaro, Gene L.
2022-06-14
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Remote Sales Tax: Initial Observations on Effects of States' Expanded Authority, Statement of James R. Mctigue, Jr., Director, Tax Policy and Administration, Testimony Before the Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate
From the Highlights: "Sales tax is an important revenue source for the 45 states with a statewide sales tax, making up an average of about one-third of states' total tax collections. Over the past quarter century, electronic commerce (e-commerce) sales have grown rapidly. However, until recently states could not require e-commerce and other businesses operating out-of-state to collect taxes on sales to residents of their states unless the business had a physical presence in the state. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to testify on how states and businesses have been affected by the 'Wayfair' decision. This statement summarizes GAO's findings from a November 2017 report (GAO18-114 [hyperlink]) and initial observations from ongoing work examining (1) the current landscape of remote sales tax requirements, (2) how state revenue has been affected by these requirements, and (3) what types of costs businesses have incurred in complying with the requirements. For the part of this statement based on ongoing work, GAO administered a survey to revenue agencies in all 45 states with a statewide sales tax and the District of Columbia. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia responded, for a response rate of 95 percent. GAO also interviewed multiple organizations representing states and businesses, as well as businesses engaged in e-commerce and multistate taxation, selected to represent a broad range of perspectives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
McTigue, James R., Jr.
2022-06-14
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Weapons Systems Annual Assessment: Challenges to Fielding Capabilities Faster Persist, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Congress included a provision in statute for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review DOD's weapon programs. This report, GAO's 20th annual assessment, assesses the following aspects of DOD's costliest weapon programs: their characteristics and performance, and their implementation of knowledge-based acquisition practices, modern software development approaches, and cybersecurity practices. The report also describes industrial base challenges reported by weapon programs and DOD's efforts to assess these challenges. GAO identified programs for review based on cost and acquisition status; reviewed relevant legislation and policy; collected program office data; and interviewed DOD officials. [...] GAO is making two recommendations including that DOD update its industrial base assessment instruction to define the circumstances that would constitute a known or projected problem or substantial risk that a necessary industrial capability may be lost. DOD concurred with the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Economic and Commercial Diplomacy: State and Commerce Could Build on Efforts to Improve Coordination and Effectiveness, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The U.S. government has maintained an economic and commercial diplomacy program to help advance its national interests abroad in the global economy. State and Commerce have key roles in supporting U.S. businesses on foreign markets. The Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019 includes provisions focused on the efforts of these agencies to support U.S. businesses abroad through economic and commercial diplomacy. The act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on several issues related to State's and Commerce's efforts to support U.S. commercial interests abroad. This report examines the coordination and effectiveness of State's and Commerce's efforts. To examine these efforts, GAO assessed them against leading collaboration practices and federal standards. GAO also reviewed documentation; interviewed agency officials; reviewed program data; and analyzed State and Commerce performance data. [...] GAO is making 11 recommendations to State and Commerce to more fully incorporate leading collaboration practices into their MOU [memorandum of understanding] and joint cables, and one recommendation to State to consistently collect and record performance data. State and Commerce concurred with the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Defense Real Property: Developing Department-Wide Instructions and Adequate Internal Controls Should Help DOD Improve Recording of Transferred Assets, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOD manages one of the largest real property portfolios within the federal government. This engagement was initiated in connection with the statutory requirement for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to audit the U.S. government's consolidated financial statements. DOD remains the only major federal agency that has been unable to obtain a financial audit opinion, partially because of its material weakness in internal control over financial reporting for real property assets. [...] This report examines the instructions, approaches, and internal controls that the DOD components used to identify and record the real property assets to be transferred. GAO interviewed Office of the Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and component officials, reviewed instructions, and analyzed key data to determine the approaches and internal controls that the military services followed to identify and record the transfers. [...] GAO is recommending that as DOD implements a department-wide real property strategy, it develop detailed instructions with adequate internal controls to fully implement the updated policy. DOD concurred."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Pandemic Learning: Less Academic Progress Overall, Student and Teacher Strain, and Implications for the Future, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic disrupted learning for millions of students, educators, and families. Its effects continue to reverberate across the nation and produce challenges for schools that will likely be felt for years to come. In many respects, the 2020-21 school year offers insights and lessons on the struggles and successes that schools, educators, and parents faced. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to report on its ongoing COVID-19 monitoring and oversight efforts. This report, the third in a series of three reports, examines (1) the effect of the pandemic on academic progress, and (2) implications, and strategies and resources identified by educators and parents to address ongoing challenges or future learning disruptions. To address these objectives, GAO contracted with Gallup to (1) conduct a nationally representative survey of elementary and secondary public school teachers and (2) arrange virtual discussion groups with teachers, principals, and parents of K [kindergarten]-12 students. The overall response rate was 8.2 percent (using the American Association for Public Opinion Research's response rate 3, which accounts for the estimated eligibility rate of non-respondents). GAO analyzed the resulting survey data and discussion group information. GAO estimated margins of error at the 95 percent confidence level."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Electricity Grid: DOE Should Address Lessons Learned from Previous Disasters to Enhance Resilience, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Natural disasters, such as cyclones, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms--and the power outages resulting from these disasters--have affected millions of customers and cost billions of dollars. The growing severity of wildfires and extreme weather events in recent years has been a principal contributor to an increase in the frequency and duration of power outages in the U.S. Federal agencies, such as DOE [Department of Energy] and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, play a significant role in disaster response, recovery, and resilience. This report (1) identifies lessons learned from federal, state, and other entities' responses to selected disasters that affected the electricity grid from 2017 to 2021; and (2) examines federal agency actions to address those lessons learned. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] is making one recommendation: that DOE establish a comprehensive approach to enhance coordination among its disaster response, grid recovery, and technical assistance efforts, including integrating lessons learned from prior disasters. DOE agreed with GAO's recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Electronic Health Records: Additional DOD Actions Could Improve Cost and Schedule Estimating for New System, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOD operates one of the nation's largest health care systems providing health care to about 9.6 million beneficiaries. It relies on multiple legacy electronic health record systems to create, maintain, and manage patient health information. DOD determined that these systems, implemented over the past three decades, require modernization and replacement with a comprehensive, real-time electronic health record, MHS [Military Health System] GENESIS. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] is making two recommendations to DOD that it develop reliable cost and schedule estimates for the MHS GENESIS program that are consistent with GAO-identified best practices. DOD concurred with GAO's recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Unemployment Insurance: Pandemic Programs Posed Challenges, and DOL Could Better Address Customer Service and Emergency Planning, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "In the wake of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and subsequent shutdowns, the nation experienced historic levels of job loss and an expansion of the UI [Unemployment Insurance] system. The CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act created three new, federally funded temporary UI programs that expanded eligibility, enhanced benefits, and extended benefit duration. DOL [Department of Labor] has reported about $658 billion in compensation paid as of April 30, 2022. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to monitor federal efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines (1) selected states' challenges with implementing the temporary UI programs and efforts to address those challenges; (2) DOL's support and monitoring of the programs, including efforts to address improper payments; and (3) the economic effects of expanding UI benefits in adverse times. [...] GAO is making two recommendations to DOL to identify and provide UI customer service best practices and assess lessons learned from the pandemic. DOL partially agreed with the first recommendation, and agreed with the second, and noted plans to address them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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International Space Station: Opportunities Exist to Improve Communication with National Laboratory Users, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Statute generally requires that a portion of the U.S. allocated research capacity be guaranteed to experiments on the national laboratory for non-NASA users like commercial entities. CASIS [Center for the Advancement of Science in Space] is responsible for selecting which non-NASA users can use the laboratory. In 2019, NASA commissioned an independent review that identified various challenges at CASIS, including poor communication with the user community. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review CASIS and NASA activities related to the laboratory. Among other objectives, this report assesses the extent to which CASIS obtains input from and provides information to laboratory users. [...] GAO is making four recommendations to NASA, including that it ensures CASIS (1) obtains input from its user advisory committee about resource allocation decisions, (2) takes steps to agree upon needed information about past allocations, and (3) provides the committee more information about planned resource allocations. NASA agreed with the first two recommendations, and partially agreed with the third, noting challenges with providing the flight queue. GAO continues to believe NASA has opportunities to provide additional information, as discussed in the report."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: Federal Program Supported Contingent Workers Amid Historic Demand, but DOL Should Examine Racial Disparities in Benefit Receipt
From the Highlights: "In response to widespread unemployment caused by the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act created the federal PUA [Pandemic Unemployment Assistance] program. The first program of its kind and scale, PUA temporarily expanded unemployment benefits to workers generally ineligible for UI [unemployment insurance], such as self-employed and contingent workers--those without traditional employment arrangements. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to monitor federal efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines (1) how state implementation of PUA varied, (2) how the pandemic affected contingent workers in selected states, and to what extent the UI system assisted them, and (3) how PUA benefit receipt varied by demographic characteristics. GAO interviewed officials from DOL and five states selected for variation in claims volume and implementation timing. GAO also analyzed PUA data obtained from the selected states and data DOL collects from all states. In two states, GAO held discussions with contingent workers who applied for PUA. GAO also reviewed relevant federal law and program guidance."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Unemployment Insurance: Transformation Needed to Address Program Design, Infrastructure, and Integrity Risks, Report to Congressional Addressees
From the Highlights: "A high-risk designation is intended to help spur progress in areas needing transformation. The UI [Unemployment Insurance] system has faced long-standing challenges with effective service delivery and program integrity. The historic levels of job loss during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic worsened existing challenges. Congress created four new UI programs to support workers during the pandemic. However, unprecedented demand for benefits and the need to quickly implement the new programs presented challenges for states and increased risks of improper payments, including from fraud. This report examines (1) challenges in responding to the needs of unemployed workers and economic changes; (2) risks of improper payments, including from fraud; (3) the extent to which UI experienced impaired performance and financial loss; and (4) potential options for UI transformation suggested by stakeholder panels. [...] GAO [Government Accountability Office] recommends that DOL [Department of Labor] develop and implement a plan for transforming UI that meets GAO's high-risk criteria for transformations. DOL agreed with the recommendation and described actions it is taking to address it."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Missile Defense: Better Oversight and Coordination Needed for Counter-Hypersonic Development, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Since MDA [Missile Defense Agency] was established in 2002, the Department of Defense has spent over $174 billion to equip operational commanders with a network of sensors, interceptors and command and control capabilities collectively called the Missile Defense System. Since 2017, MDA's mission has broadened to include hypersonic weapons, which are difficult to track and defeat because they are capable of maneuvering during flight. Congress included provisions in legislation for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to annually assess MDA's progress toward meeting its acquisition goals. This report--the 19th to date--assesses (1) MDA's progress achieving its delivery and testing goals for fiscal year 2021, and (2) MDA's efforts to defend against hypersonic weapons."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Environmental Liabilities: Improvements Needed to Measure Progress of Cleanup of Formerly Used Defense Sites, Report to the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
From the Highlights: "The estimated cost to the federal government of cleaning up environmental contamination, referred to as environmental liabilities, was $613 billion in fiscal year 2021. This is an increase from $465 billion in fiscal year 2017. DOD's fiscal year 2021 share of environmental liabilities was the second highest among federal agencies, at about $82 billion. Federal law authorizes DOD to identify, investigate, and clean up contamination from hazardous substances and military munitions that it caused on properties used for military purposes and that were conveyed out of DOD's jurisdiction prior to 1986. These types of contamination can harm both humans and the environment. House Report 116-120 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review the various elements of FUDS [Formerly Used Defense Sites]. Among other objectives, this report (1) describes the scope and costs of cleaning up FUDS and the reliability of the estimates and (2) examines how DOD selects FUDS for cleanup."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Public Health Preparedness: Medical Countermeasure Development for Certain Serious or Life-Threatening Conditions, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "Past bioterrorist attacks, such as the anthrax attacks of 2001, highlight the threat of widespread illness and death posed by CBRN [chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear] agents and the importance of medical countermeasures. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has previously reported on the challenges of developing medical countermeasures. Medical countermeasures may need to be developed and approved under FDA's Animal Rule. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019 included a provision for GAO to review medical countermeasure development under the Animal Rule. In this report GAO describes (1) FDA efforts to support medical countermeasure developers under the Animal Rule, and (2) the extent of animal model qualification under FDA's Animal Model Qualification Program, and the effect of qualified models on medical countermeasure development."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Science & Tech Spotlight: Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
From the Document: "A non-fungible token (NFT) is a digital identifier, similar to a certificate of ownership, that represents a digital or physical asset. In general, a non-fungible asset is unique and not interchangeable with others. An NFT, like an original painting, has its own unique value. By contrast, fungible assets are interchangeable, like dollar bills or units of a cryptocurrency. The most widespread use of the technology is currently for digital collectibles, like the NFT for a digital collage that sold for $69.3 million in March 2021. [...] NFTs could enable a decentralized marketplace for music or other creative work, allowing creators to collect revenue for digital assets directly and automatically, rather than through a third party. [...] Typically, buyers purchase NFTs with digital currency, but legal tender, other assets, or credit could also be used. Most NFTs are not the asset itself. In the case of a physical asset, they represent ownership of the asset. For digital assets, they represent ownership of the unique code linked to or associated with the asset's metadata--information about the asset, such as the creation date, size, or where it is stored on the internet. In the case of a digital image, others may be able to see the asset or even download a copy, but the NFT proves which digital image is the original and can, in conjunction with other information, show who owns the NFT. NFTs rely on smart contracts--computer code that automatically executes a transaction when stipulated conditions are met. For example, a smart contract could stipulate that the original creator will receive a percentage of all subsequent sales of the NFT."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Critical Minerals: Building on Federal Efforts to Advance Recovery and Substitution Could Help Address Supply Risks, Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Senate Committee on Appropriations
From the Highlights: "The U.S. is heavily reliant on imports of many minerals, such as cobalt and lithium, which are essential for manufacturing advanced technologies (see figure). Supply chains for many of these minerals are also vulnerable to various risks, such as foreign government actions. In 2018, Interior designated 35 minerals and mineral groups whose supply chains are vulnerable to disruption as essential to our nation's economic and national security. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review federal efforts to advance critical minerals recovery and substitution. This report (1) identifies key challenges affecting efforts to advance critical minerals recovery and substitution in the U.S., and (2) examines the extent to which federal agencies have taken actions to advance recovery and substitution."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Global Food Security: Coordination of U.S. Assistance Can Be Improved, Report to the Acting Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations
From the Highlights: "The number of food-insecure people has increased since 2014, and an estimated 768 million people were undernourished in 2020, according to the United Nations. The Global Food Security Act of 2016 required the President to coordinate the development and implementation of a whole-of-government global food security strategy. According to the GFSS [U.S. Government Global Food
Security Strategy], increased interagency engagement is intended to build effective coordination among agencies that contribute to global food security. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review U.S. global food security assistance. This report examines (1) U.S. agency coordination of global food security assistance at the global level and in selected countries; (2) the extent to which U.S. agencies coordinate this assistance in accordance with leading collaboration practices; and (3) U.S. agencies' management of any duplication, overlap, or fragmentation of assistance in the selected countries. GAO reviewed GFSS documents and interviewed representatives of GFSS agencies and other stakeholders, including implementing partners and host governments in Bangladesh, Guatemala, Kenya, and Niger. GAO selected these countries using criteria such as geographic diversity and high levels of U.S. food security funding. [...] GAO is making two recommendations to USAID to ensure all relevant agencies are included in planning and coordination of food security assistance and can readily access information about each other's current and planned assistance. USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] concurred with both recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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International Development Association: Additional Information Sharing Could Enhance U.S. Treasury Oversight of Key Risks, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The U.S. is one of the largest contributors to IDA [International Development Association]. IDA has traditionally financed its operations primarily by raising funds every 3 years from donors like the U.S. and using funding from loan repayments. In 2015, UN members adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to address global challenges such as poverty. To help low-income countries meet these goals, IDA in 2018 began issuing bonds on the capital markets to raise additional funds to provide more loans. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review IDA's financial model. This report examines: (1) IDA's funding sources and allocations; (2) how market borrowing has affected IDA's process for assessing countries' financing needs, and IDA's financial and risk management framework; (3) how IDA assesses key risks to its financial sustainability; and (4) the extent to which Treasury oversees IDA's financial and risk management. GAO reviewed and analyzed IDA financial documents, data on IDA's funding from fiscal years 2012 through 2025, and Treasury documents. GAO also interviewed IDA and Treasury officials, and development finance experts. [...] GAO recommends that Treasury direct the U.S. Executive Director of IDA to request that IDA provide to its Board of Directors 1) more information on the model IDA uses to estimate the total risk it faces from borrower country defaults and 2) information on the steps IDA is taking to account for incomplete debt data as it measures risks of borrower defaults. Treasury concurred with both recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Border Patrol: Actions Needed to Improve Checkpoint Oversight and Data, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Border Patrol has primary responsibility for securing the border between U.S. ports of entry. As part of its border enforcement strategy, Border Patrol operates immigration checkpoints where Border Patrol agents screen vehicles to identify people of foreign nationality who are potentially removable and they may enforce U.S. criminal law, such as seizing illegal drugs and interdicting human smugglers. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review Border Patrol's use of immigration checkpoints. This report examines: (1) available data about Border Patrol checkpoint activity, (2) the extent Border Patrol collects reliable data about checkpoint activity, and (3) how Border Patrol oversees checkpoint operations, among other objectives. [...] GAO is making seven recommendations, including that Border Patrol take several actions to strengthen checkpoint oversight and data. DHS concurred with each of the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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U.S. Space Command: Air Force Should Develop Guidance for Strengthening Future Basing Decisions, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "The then President directed the establishment of U.S. Space Command in December 2018. The Department of Defense (DOD) views the advent of U.S. Space Command as a critical step to accelerate the nation's ability to defend its vital interests and deter adversaries in space. U.S. Space Command is responsible for planning and executing offensive and defensive space operations with the military services, other combatant commands, DOD agencies, and other partners. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the Air Force's process and methodology to select the permanent location for U.S. Space Command headquarters. This report (1) examines how the U.S. Space Command basing process compared with the established Air Force basing process and describes the steps the Air Force took to identify a headquarters location, and (2) evaluates the extent to which the Air Force's revised selection process for determining the U.S. Space Command headquarters conformed to GAO best practices for analyzing alternatives. GAO reviewed documentation, interviewed knowledgeable officials, and assessed related information using GAO's best practices for a high-quality AOA [Analysis of Alternatives] process. This is a public version of a sensitive report issued in May 2022. Information that DOD has deemed sensitive has been omitted. [...] GAO recommends that the Air Force develop guidance for future strategic basing decisions that is consistent with GAO's AOA best practices, and determine the basing actions to which it should apply. The Air Force neither agreed nor disagreed."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Hanford Cleanup: DOE Has Opportunities to Better Ensure Effective Startup and Sustained Low-Activity Waste Operations, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "DOE [Department of Energy] created the DFLAW [Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste] program to treat part of the least radioactive portion of the 54 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste held in 177 aging and leak-prone underground storage tanks at the Hanford Site in Washington State. DOE estimates that the DFLAW program will cost $8.3 billion when complete and begin treating waste in December 2023. DOE is currently in negotiations with the contractor on a possible contract extension for certain DFLAW facilities that may require additional work. Senate Report 116-236 accompanying S. 4049, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, includes a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review the DFLAW program. Among other things, GAO's report describes the status of facilities needed to start DFLAW operations and examines the challenges DOE faces in starting and sustaining DFLAW operations. GAO reviewed agency documents and DFLAW program data from December 2020 through May 2021; analyzed DOE documents on DFLAW starting and operating challenges and risks, including DOE plans to manage them; and interviewed DOE officials. [...] GAO is making four recommendations, including that DOE ensures that existing challenges and problems in facilities, systems, and components related to DFLAW are resolved by the end of hot commissioning and the start of normal operations. DOE agreed with GAO's recommendations and stated that it is taking steps to implement them by December 31, 2022."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Los Alamos National Laboratory: Contractor Improving in Safety and Other Areas but Still Faces Challenges, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "NNSA [National Nuclear Security Administration] relies heavily on an M&O [management and operating] contractor to carry out complex and dangerous work related to nuclear weapons production at LANL [Los Alamos National Laboratory]. Following substantial operational interruptions due to safety lapses, in 2018, NNSA awarded a new contract to manage and operate LANL to Triad. NNSA made changes to the contract with the intent over 10 years to improve safety performance, realize cost savings, and achieve other benefits. NNSA is now seeking to expand plutonium pit production and other missions at LANL and, in turn, increase the laboratory's workforce. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019 includes a provision for NNSA to report on the costs and benefits of competing any new M&O contract, and for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to issue two associated reviews. This is GAO's second review on NNSA's contract with Triad (for GAO's first review, see GAO-20-292R [hyperlink]). In this review, GAO examines (1) steps Triad has taken to improve safety performance at LANL, and how NNSA and other organizations have assessed these steps; and (2) the extent to which anticipated cost savings and other benefits have been realized under the current contract thus far. GAO reviewed NNSA performance evaluations, policies, and regulations, and interviewed DOE and NNSA officials and Triad representatives."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Export Controls: Enforcement Agencies Should Better Leverage Information to Target Efforts Involving U.S. Universities, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Over 2 million foreign students and scholars studied at U.S. universities in 2019, in many cases contributing to U.S. research. The U.S. government implements export controls to, among other things, mitigate the risk of foreign students' and scholars' obtaining controlled and sensitive information that could benefit foreign adversaries. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review agencies' efforts to address risks associated with foreign students and scholars who may seek to evade export control regulations. This report examines the extent to which agencies are assessing universities' risk of unauthorized deemed exports to prioritize outreach. GAO reviewed related laws and regulations; analyzed agency data; and interviewed agency officials in Washington, D.C., and 15 U.S. field offices. GAO based its selection of these offices on their proximity to research universities, their geographic dispersion, and other agencies' field office locations. This is a public version of a sensitive report issued in March 2022 that included additional information on (1) challenges agencies face in efforts to enforce export control regulations, particularly for deemed exports at universities, and (2) the extent to which agencies coordinate their efforts and share information. Information that agencies deemed sensitive has been removed. [...] GAO is making eight recommendations to strengthen Commerce's, DHS's, and FBI's ability to prioritize outreach to at-risk universities. All three agencies concurred with the recommendations"
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Business Systems: DOD Needs to Improve Performance Reporting and Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Planning, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "For fiscal year 2022, DOD requested approximately $38.6 billion for its unclassified IT [Information technology] investments. These investments included programs such as communications and command and control systems. They also included major IT business programs, which are intended to help the department carry out key functions, such as financial management and health care. The NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act] for FY 2019 included a provision for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to assess selected DOD IT programs annually through March 2023. GAO's objectives for this review were to (1) examine how DOD's portfolio of major IT acquisition business programs has performed; (2) determine the extent to which the department has implemented software development, cybersecurity, and supply chain risk management practices; and (3) describe actions DOD has taken to implement legislative and policy changes that could affect its IT acquisitions. To address these objectives, GAO determined that DOD's major IT business programs were the 25 that DOD reported to the federal IT Dashboard as of December 2021 (The IT Dashboard is a public website that includes information on the performance of IT investments). GAO examined DOD's planned expenditures for these programs from fiscal years 2020 through 2022, as reported in the department's FY 2022 submission to the Dashboard."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Yemen: State and DOD Need Better Information on Civilian Impacts of U.S. Military Support to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Report to Congressional Committees
From the Highlights: "The United Nations has characterized the conflict in Yemen as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The U.S. has long-standing security relationships with Saudi Arabia and UAE [United Arab Emirates]--two primary actors in the conflict--and has continued to provide them military support, including for operations in Yemen since 2015. Public law 116-283 calls for GAO [Government Accountability Office] to review U.S. military support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. This report examines the (1) total financial value of military support provided by DOD to Saudi Arabia and UAE in fiscal years 2015-2021, (2) extent to which DOD and State have assessed the use of U.S. military support in Yemen and to which this support contributed to or reduced civilian harm, and (3) extent to which State certifications and a DOD report submitted in response to two congressional mandates were timely and complete."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
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Water Quality: Agencies Should Take More Actions to Manage Risks from Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia, Report to Congressional Requesters
From the Highlights: "Harmful algal blooms--overgrowths of algae in water bodies--can produce toxins that harm humans and animals. These blooms are an environmental problem in all 50 states, according to EPA. Harmful algal blooms are also associated with some occurrences of hypoxia--depleted oxygen levels in a water body in which most animals cannot survive. Hypoxia can harm fisheries and disrupt ecosystems. Under the act, the interagency working group, with NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] and EPA leadership, is to maintain and enhance a national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program, develop a comprehensive research plan and action strategy, and submit various reports to Congress. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review federal efforts to manage harmful algal bloom and hypoxia risks. This report examines, among other things, (1) working group efforts to implement a national program; (2) agencies' actions to monitor and forecast harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; and (3) agencies' actions to help state, local, and tribal governments respond to these events."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2022-06
