Advanced search Help
Searching for terms: EXACT: "United States. Government Accountability Office" in: publisher
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
General Aviation: Security Assessments at Selected Airports, Report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S.
"General aviation accounts for three-quarters of U.S. air traffic, from small propeller planes to large jets, operating among nearly 19,000 airports. While most security operations are left to private airport operators, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), provides guidance on threats and vulnerabilities. In 2004, TSA issued suggested security enhancements that airports could implement voluntarily. Unlike commercial airports, in most cases general aviation airports are not required to implement specific security measures. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to perform onsite assessments at selected airports with general aviation operations to determine what physical security measures they have to prevent unauthorized access. With advance notice, GAO investigators overtly visited a nonrepresentative selection of 13 airports, based on TSA-determined risk factors. Three of the airports also serve commercial aviation and are therefore subject to TSA security regulations. Using TSA's voluntary recommendations and GAO investigators' security expertise, GAO determined whether certain security measures were in place. GAO also requested documentation of incidents of unauthorized access. Results of GAO's assessments cannot be projected to all general aviation airports and are not meant to imply that the airports failed to implement required security measures."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-05
-
Oil and Gas: Interior's Restructuring Challenges in the Aftermath of the Gulf Oil Spill, Statement of Frank Rusco, Director Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives
"The Department of the Interior oversees oil and gas activities on leased federal lands and waters. Revenue generated from federal oil and gas production is one of the largest nontax sources of federal government funds, accounting for about $9 billion in fiscal year 2009. Since the April 2010 explosion on board the Deepwater Horizon, Interior has been in the midst of restructuring the bureaus that oversee oil and gas development. Specifically, Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees onshore federal oil and gas activities; the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE)--created in May 2010--oversees offshore oil and gas activities; and the newly established Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) is responsible for collecting royalties on oil and gas produced from both onshore and offshore federal leases. Prior to BOEMRE, the Minerals Management Service's (MMS) Offshore Energy and Minerals Management Office oversaw offshore oil and gas activities and revenue collection. In 2011, GAO identified Interior's management of oil and gas resources as a high risk issue. GAO's work in this area identified challenges in five areas: (1) reorganization, (2) balancing responsibilities, (3) human capital, (4) revenue collection, and (5) development of existing leases."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Rusco, Frank
2011-06-02
-
Nuclear Waste: Disposal Challenges and Lessons Learned from Yucca Mountain, Statement of Mark Gaffigan, Managing Director Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
"The United States has generated over 75,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste--extremely hazardous substances--at 80 sites in 35 states and is expected to more than double that amount by 2055. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA) required the Department of Energy (DOE) to investigate a geologic repository for nuclear waste. In 1987, Congress amended NWPA to direct DOE to focus on a repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. In 2008, DOE submitted a license application for the repository but in March 2010 moved to withdraw it. However, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or the courts--as a result of federal lawsuits--might compel DOE to resume the licensing process. GAO has reported on options for interim storage of this waste and the effects a Yucca Mountain termination could have on both commercial waste and DOE-managed waste. This testimony is based on that prior work and discusses (1) the status of the Yucca Mountain repository and national policy for nuclear waste disposal, (2) options for storing nuclear waste and their benefits and challenges, and (3) principal lessons that can be learned from past nuclear waste management efforts."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-06-01
-
FEMA: Action Needed to Improve Administration of the National Flood Insurance Program, Report to Congressional Committees
"The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has been on GAO's [Government Accountability Office] high-risk list since March 2006 because of concerns about its long-term financial solvency and related operational issues. Significant management challenges also affect the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) ability to administer NFIP. This report examines (1) the extent to which FEMA's management practices affect the administration of NFIP; (2) lessons learned from the cancellation of FEMA's attempt to modernize NFIP's insurance management system; and (3) limitations on FEMA's authority that could affect NFIP's financial stability. To do this work, GAO reviewed internal control standards and best practices, analyzed agency documentation, reviewed previous work, and interviewed relevant agency officials. [...] GAO makes 10 recommendations to improve the effectiveness of FEMA's planning and oversight efforts for NFIP; improve FEMA's policies and procedures for achieving NFIP's goals; and increase the usefulness and reliability of NFIP's flood insurance policy and claims processing system. GAO also presents three matters for congressional consideration to improve NFIP's financial stability. DHS concurred with all of GAO's recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-06-09
-
Seafood Safety: FDA Needs to Improve Oversight of Imported Seafood and Better Leverage Limited Resources, Report to Congressional Requesters
"About half of the seafood imported into the U.S. comes from farmed fish (aquaculture). Fish grown in confined aquacultured areas can have bacterial infections, which may require farmers to use drugs like antibiotics. The residues of some drugs can cause cancer and antibiotic resistance. The Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is charged with ensuring the safety of seafood against residues from unapproved drugs, and the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) provides inspection services on request. In 2009, these agencies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance seafood oversight and leverage inspection resources. GAO was asked to assess the extent to which (1) FDA's program is able to ensure the safety of seafood imports against residues from unapproved drugs and (2) FDA and NMFS have implemented the 2009 MOU. GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed data and documents from each agency and interviewed agency officials and other key stakeholders. [...] GAO recommends that FDA study the feasibility of adopting practices used by other entities to better ensure the safety of imported seafood, enhance its import sampling program, and develop a strategic approach for enhancing collaboration with NMFS and better leveraging resources. HHS neither agreed nor disagreed with GAO's recommendations but cited actions in process or planned that are generally responsive to them."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04-14
-
Warfighter Support: Improved Joint Oversight and Reporting on DOD's Prepositioning Programs May Increase Efficiencies, Report to Congressional Committees
"The Department of Defense (DOD) prepositions equipment to help ensure combat-ready forces receive equipment in days rather than the weeks it would take if it had to be moved from the United States to their location. Prepositioned stocks may also support activities including disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. As GAO's [Government Accountability Office] third report in response to Congress's annual reporting requirement, GAO assessed the extent to which DOD has (1) met the six reporting requirements in the annual report to Congress on its prepositioned stocks, and whether additional information may be needed related to those requirements; (2) developed effective departmentwide guidance on prepositioned stocks to achieve national military objectives; and (3) organized effectively to provide joint oversight over its prepositioning programs and achieve efficiencies. To meet these objectives, GAO reviewed relevant DOD reports, strategies, and policies, and met with DOD and service officials in the U.S., Kuwait, and Qatar. [...] GAO is recommending that the Secretary of Defense take five actions to provide comprehensive information, develop overarching guidance, and enhance joint oversight to increase program efficiencies. DOD agreed with GAO's recommendations"
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-05-16
-
Visa Waiver Program: DHS Has Implemented the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, but Further Steps Needed to Address Potential Program Risks, Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
"The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows eligible nationals from 36 member countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without a visa. In 2007, Congress required the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to implement an automated electronic travel authorization system to determine, prior to travel, applicants' eligibility to travel to the United States under the VWP. Congress also required all VWP member countries to enter into an agreement with the United States to share information on whether citizens and nationals of that country traveling to the United States represent a security threat. In 2002, Congress mandated that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) review, at least every 2 years, the security risks posed by each VWP country's participation in the program. In this report, GAO [Government Accountability Office] evaluates (1) DHS's implementation of an electronic system for travel authorization; (2) U.S. agencies' progress in negotiating informationsharing agreements; and (3) DHS's timeliness in issuing biennial reports. GAO reviewed relevant documents and interviewed U.S., foreign government, and travel industry officials in six VWP countries. [...] GAO recommends that DHS establish time frames for the regular review of cases of ESTA noncompliance and take steps to address delays in the biennial review process. DHS concurred with the report's recommendations"
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-05-05
-
Space Acquisitions: Development and Oversight Challenges in Delivering Improved Space Situational Awareness Capabilities, Report to the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
"The United States' growing dependence on space systems makes them vulnerable to a range of threats. DOD [Department of Defense] has undertaken a variety of initiatives to provide space situational awareness (SSA)--the knowledge and characterization of space objects and the environment on which space operations depend. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to (1) review key systems being planned and acquired to provide SSA, and their progress meeting cost, schedule, and performance goals; and (2) determine how much an integrated approach is being used to manage and oversee efforts to develop SSA capabilities. To achieve this, GAO analyzed documentation and interviewed key officials on major SSA development efforts and oversight and management of SSA. This report is an unclassified version of a classified report issued in February 2011. [...] GAO recommends that DOD assure--in approving the Space Fence and JMS [Joint Space Operations Center Mission System] acquisition efforts to initiate product development--that all critical technologies are identified and matured, and that other key risks have been fully assessed. If DOD determines that the programs should move forward with less mature technologies, DOD should assess available backup technologies and additional resources required to meet performance objectives. DOD agreed with the first recommendation and partially agreed with the second. GAO continues to believe DOD should assess required resources earlier than its stated intent."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-05-27
-
Spectrum Management: NTIA Planning and Processes Need Strengthening to Promote the Efficient Use of Spectrum by Federal Agencies, Report to Congressional Committees
"Radio frequency spectrum enables vital wireless communications services used by the federal government, businesses, and consumers. Spectrum capacity is necessary for wireless broadband (high-speed Internet access) and broadband deployment will boost the nation's capabilities in many important areas. As the demand for spectrum continues to increase, there is concern about adequate access to meet future needs. This requested report examines (1) how the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is managing spectrum needs of federal agencies, (2) how federal agencies are using and managing assigned spectrum, and (3) what steps NTIA has taken to meet recent initiatives aimed at making spectrum available for broadband. GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed NTIA's spectrum management documents; surveyed the 19 federal agencies comprising the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee; and interviewed NTIA officials and industry and academic experts. [...] NTIA should develop an updated strategic plan, examine its assignment review processes to determine if the current approach can be improved, and establish internal controls to ensure the accuracy of agency-reported data. The Department of Commerce concurred with GAO's recommendation to examine the review processes and, citing competing priorities, partially concurred with the remaining two."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04-12
-
Transportation Worker Identification Credential: Internal Control Weaknesses Need to Be Corrected to Help Achieve Security Objectives, Statement of Stephen M. Lord, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
From the testimony of Stephen M. Lord: "I am pleased to be here today to discuss credentialing issues associated with the security of U.S. transportation systems and facilities. Securing these systems requires balancing security to address potential threats while facilitating the flow of people and goods that are critical to the U.S. economy and international commerce. As we have previously reported, these systems and facilities are vulnerable and difficult to secure given their size, easy accessibility, large number of potential targets, and proximity to urban areas. The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) required regulations preventing individuals from having unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA-regulated facilities and vessels unless they possess a biometric transportation security card and are authorized to be in such an area. MTSA further required that biometric transportation security cards be issued to eligible individuals unless determined that an applicant poses a security risk warranting denial of the card. The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program is designed to implement these biometric maritime security card requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-05-10
-
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Update on Federal Financial Risks and Claims Processing
"On April 20, 2010, an explosion occurred on BP America Production Company's (BP) leased mobile offshore drilling unit, Deepwater Horizon. The total cost to clean up the massive and unprecedented oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon explosion, as well as costs to help pay for the spill's adverse impact on businesses and individuals in the region, are not yet known, but have been estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. Further, the extent to which the federal government will ultimately be required to pay any of the costs associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill remains unclear. In November 2010, we reported on our preliminary assessment of the potential financial risks to the federal government associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup costs. The overall objectives for our work in this area are to assess (1) financial risks to the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (Fund) and the federal government as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, (2) the Coast Guard's National Pollution Funds Center's (NPFC) cost reimbursement and claims policies and procedures for Deepwater Horizon oil spill costs, and (3) the framework for federal monitoring and oversight efforts over the responsible parties for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, including federal efforts to oversee BP's and the Gulf Coast Claims Facility's (GCCF) Deepwater Horizon oil-spill claims payments."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04-18
-
Energy-Water Nexus: Amount of Energy Needed to Supply, Use, and Treat Water is Location-specific and Can Be Reduced by Certain Technologies and Approaches, Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
"Providing drinking water and wastewater services are two key functions needed to support an urban lifestyle. To provide these services, energy is needed to extract, use, and treat water and wastewater. As the demand for water increases, the energy demands associated with providing water services are similarly expected to grow. GAO was asked to describe what is known about (1) the energy needed for the urban water lifecycle and (2) technologies and approaches that could lessen the energy needed for the lifecycle and barriers that exist to their adoption. To address these issues, GAO reviewed scientific studies, government-sponsored research, and other reports and interviewed specialists from a variety of organizations, including drinking water and wastewater utilities; federal, state, and local government offices responsible for water or energy; and relevant nonprofit groups, about the energy needed to move, use, and treat water. GAO also selected three cities--Memphis, Tennessee; San Diego, California; and Washington, D.C.--as illustrative case studies to help understand the energy demands of the lifecycle in different areas of the country. GAO is not making any recommendations in this report. A draft was provided to the Departments of Defense, Energy (DOE), and the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DOE and EPA provided technical comments, which we incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-03
-
Letter to John F. Tierney, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on National Security, Multiple U.S. Agencies Provided Billions of Dollars to Train and Equip Foreign Police Forces, April 27, 2011
"Over the past few years, the United States has increased its emphasis on training and equipping foreign police as a means of supporting a wide range of U.S. foreign-policy goals, including countering terrorists overseas and stopping the flow of narcotics to the United States. Funding for these activities has increased significantly since we last reported on these issues in 1992. In response to your request, this report provides estimates of the funding the U.S. government provided for activities to train and equip foreign police, hereafter referred to as 'police assistance,' during fiscal year 2009. We defined 'police' as all law-enforcement units or personnel with arrest, investigative, or interdiction authorities. We analyzed documents and interviewed officials of the Departments of State (State), Defense (DOD), Energy (DOE), Justice (DOJ), Homeland Security (DHS), the Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). We also reviewed past GAO reports, relevant legislation, and congressional budget submissions. We limited our review to fiscal year 2009 because of the limited availability of comparable funding data from the agencies in other years. Our estimate of U.S. funds provided for this purpose incorporates budget estimates, appropriations, obligations, allotments, and expenditures because the agencies did not provide uniform funding data. Enclosure I provides more information on our scope and methodology."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Christoff, Joseph A.
2011-04-27
-
Status of Implementation of GAO Recommendations on Evacuation of Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations and Patients and Residents of Health Care Facilities
"Many of the approximately 100,000 people who did not evacuate before Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005 lacked access to a vehicle. In the aftermath of the storm, questions were raised about how well federal, state, and local governments were prepared to evacuate such transportation-disadvantaged populations. Hurricane Katrina, which ultimately resulted in over 1,300 deaths, also demonstrated difficulties for evacuating hospital patients and nursing home residents and raised questions about the role of the federal government in assisting in such evacuations. While responding to disasters and managing evacuations is largely a state and local responsibility, the federal government can provide assistance when state and local governments are overwhelmed. The federal government also provides grants and technical assistance for disaster preparedness. In January 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the National Response Framework (NRF)--replacing the National Response Plan. Its annexes detail the roles and responsibilities of local, state, and federal agencies during emergencies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), within DHS, is the lead coordinating agency for federal emergency assistance. The NRF details the responsibilities of supporting federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation (DOT), whose responsibilities include coordinating the restoration and recovery of transportation systems and infrastructure, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), whose responsibilities include coordinating public health and medical services."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2008-04-01
-
Criminal Alien Statistics, Information on Incarcerations, Arrests, and Costs, Report to Congressional Requesters
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimated that as of fiscal year 2009 the total alien--non-U.S.-citizen--population was about 25.3 million, including about 10.8 million aliens without lawful immigration status. Some aliens have been convicted and incarcerated (criminal aliens). The federal government bears these incarceration costs for federal prisons and reimburses states and localities for portions of their costs through the Department of Justice's (DOJ) State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). GAO was asked to update its April and May 2005 reports that contained information on criminal aliens. This report addresses (1) the number and nationalities of incarcerated criminal aliens; (2) the types of offenses for which criminal aliens were arrested and convicted; and (3) the costs associated with incarcerating criminal aliens and the extent to which DOJ's methodology for reimbursing states and localities for incarcerating criminal aliens is current and relevant. GAO analyzed federal and SCAAP incarceration and cost data of criminal aliens from fiscal years 2003 through 2010, and conviction and cost data from five states that account for about 70 percent of the SCAAP criminal alien population in 2008. GAO analyzed a random sample of 1,000 criminal aliens to estimate arrest information due to the large volume of arrests and offenses. GAO also estimated selected costs to incarcerate criminal aliens nationwide using DOJ data, among other sources."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-03
-
Border Security: DHS's Visa Security Program Needs to Improve Performance Evaluation and Better Address Visa Risk Worldwide, Report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
"Since 2003, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Visa Security Program (VSP) has participated in the visa process by reviewing applications at some embassies and consulates, with the intention of preventing individuals who pose a threat from entering the United States. The attempted bombing of an airline on December 25, 2009, renewed concerns about the security of the visa process and the effectiveness of the VSP. For this report GAO assessed (1) the ability of DHS's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to measure the program's objectives and performance, (2) challenges to VSP operations, and (3) ICE efforts to expand the VSP program. To evaluate the VSP, we reviewed VSP data, guidance, and the ICE's 5-year expansion plan. We also interviewed ICE officials, and observed VSP operations at 6 posts overseas. ICE cannot accurately assess progress toward its VSP objectives. ICE outlined three primary objectives of the VSP--identifying and counteracting potential terrorist threats from entering the United States, identifying not-yet-known threats, and maximizing law enforcement and counterterrorism value of the visa process--and established performance measures intended to assess VSP performance, including situations where VSP agents provide information that results in a consular officer's decision to deny a visa. ICE's VSP tracking system, used to collect data on VSP activities, does not gather comprehensive data on all the performance measures needed to evaluate VSP mission objectives. In addition, data collected by ICE on VSP activities were limited by inconsistencies. ICE upgraded its VSP tracking system in April 2010 to collect additional performance data, but the system still does not collect data on all the performance measures. Therefore, ICE's ability to comprehensively evaluate the performance of the VSP remains limited."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-03
-
Office of National Drug Control Policy: Agencies View the Budget Process as Useful for Identifying Priorities, but Challenges Exist
"ONDCP [Office of National Drug Control Policy] was established by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to enhance national drug control planning and assist Congress in overseeing that effort. In this role, ONDCP provides advice and governmentwide oversight of drug programs and coordinates the development of the National Drug Control Strategy (Strategy). By statute, the Director of ONDCP is to annually (1) develop a National Drug Control Strategy which sets forth a comprehensive plan, for the year, to reduce illicit drug use and its consequences in the United States by limiting the availability of, and reducing the demand for, illegal drugs; (2) develop a consolidated National Drug Control Program budget proposal designed to implement the Strategy; and (3) coordinate and oversee the implementation by the National Drug Control Program agencies of the policies, goals, objectives, and priorities established for the National Drug Control Program and the fulfillment of the responsibilities of such agencies under the Strategy. [...] In February 2011, ONDCP released the Fiscal Year 2012 Funding Highlights for the Drug Control Budget, which reflected a restructuring of the prior year's Drug Control Budget. [...] Thus, this year, we examined ONDCP's efforts to develop and monitor the Drug Control Budget, particularly in light of potential efforts to consider reauthorization of ONDCP beyond fiscal year 2010. Specifically, we (1) examined ONDCP's process for developing and monitoring the Drug Control Budget and (2) obtained selected drug control agencies' views on the benefits and challenges of developing and implementing the Drug Control Budget."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-05-02
-
DOE Nuclear Waste: Better Information Needed on Waste Storage at DOE Sites as a Result of Yucca Mountain Shutdown, Report to Congressional Requesters
"After decades of nuclear weapons production, the nation now faces the complex task of storing and eventually disposing of two types of highly radioactive waste. The first type, called 'spent nuclear fuel,' is the fuel that has been used and then removed from nuclear reactors operated for weapons production. The Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for managing the spent nuclear fuel primarily from weapons-related activities and other defense-related activities but also from certain nondefense activities. The second type of nuclear waste is 'high-level waste,' a by-product of weapons production and other defense-related activities--much of it currently stored in liquid or semiliquid form in large underground tanks. DOE's Office of Environmental Management (EM) is responsible for storing and managing a total of almost 13,000 metric tons2 of nuclear waste at five sites: the Hanford Site in Washington state, the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho, the Fort St. Vrain Site in Colorado, and the West Valley Site in New York. DOE has agreements with these states governing how the nuclear waste is managed. These agreements can include various dates by which DOE agrees to complete certain activities, such as processing high-level waste, transferring spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste to safer storage, and removing nuclear waste from the site. Some of these agreements include penalties if these dates, known as milestones, are not met. The Navy is also a party to agreements with Idaho, where it stores spent nuclear fuel from submarines and aircraft carriers at DOE's Idaho site."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-03
-
Catastrophic Planning: States Participating in FEMA's Pilot Program Made Progress, but Better Guidance Could Enhance Future Pilot Programs, Report to Congressional Requesters
"Hurricane Katrina in 2005 highlighted gaps in the nation's preparedness to respond effectively to catastrophic incidents. The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designed the Task Force for Emergency Readiness (TFER) pilot program to advance and integrate state and federal catastrophic planning efforts. TFER, first envisioned by the Department of Defense (DOD), ran from September 2008 to September 2010, and FEMA provided the five participating states--Hawaii, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Washington, and West Virginia--with $350,000 each to develop plans, build relationships with stakeholders, and document lessons learned (i.e., TFER's stated objectives). As requested, GAO [Government Accountability Office] evaluated the extent to which (1) FEMA followed sound management practices in designing, administering, and evaluating TFER and (2) the five participating states satisfied TFER's stated objectives. GAO analyzed FEMA guidance, such as the TFER Pilot Information Package, conducted site visits to all five participant states, and met with relevant FEMA and DOD officials, to evaluate FEMA's management of TFER and the states' implementation of it. GAO recommends that FEMA develop policies and guidance that follow sound management practices for future pilot programs, and share TFER results with stakeholders. FEMA agreed with GAO's recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04
-
Law Enforcement Coordination: DOJ Could Improve Its Process for Identifying Disagreements among Agents, Report to Congressional Requesters
"According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), an estimated 1.3 million violent crimes occurred nationwide in 2009. The Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement components--the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service--have overlapping jurisdiction over violent crime investigations, specifically when they involve illegal drugs, gang violence, firearms, explosives, arson, and fugitive apprehension. As requested, GAO [Government Accountability Office] assessed the extent to which selected agents are clear on their agencies' roles and responsibilities, and how components determine and coordinate roles and responsibilities to avoid unnecessary use of resources. GAO reviewed documents such as department directives and interviewed DOJ component officials in headquarters and nine cities, which were selected based on population and the presence of all DOJ components. GAO also surveyed a randomly selected, nongeneralizable sample of 315 field agents. The results provide valuable information about the range of perspectives of surveyed agents. GAO recommends that DOJ assess options to better identify and diagnose disagreements in the field and take action to limit the negative impacts from disagreements over jurisdictional overlap for some criminal investigations. DOJ agreed with GAO's recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04
-
Hospital Emergency Departments: Health Center Strategies that May Help Reduce Their Use, Statement of Debra A. Draper, Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, U.S. Senate
"In brief, our work found that health centers have implemented three types of strategies that may help reduce emergency department use. These strategies focus on (1) emergency department diversion, (2) care coordination, and (3) accessibility of services. For example, some health centers have collaborated with hospitals to divert emergency department patients by educating them on the appropriate use of the emergency department and the services offered at the health center. Additionally, by improving care coordination for their patients, health centers may help reduce emergency department visits by encouraging patients to first seek care at the health center and by reducing, if not preventing, disease-related emergencies from occurring. Finally, health centers employed various strategies to increase the accessibility of their services, such as offering evening and weekend hours and providing same-day or walk-in appointments--which help position the health center as a convenient and viable alternative to the emergency department."
United States. Government Accountability Office
Draper, Debra A.
2011-05-11
-
Transportation Worker Identification Credential: Internal Control Weaknesses Need to be Corrected to Help Achieve Security Objectives, Report to Congressional Requesters
"Within the Department of Homeland Security [DHS], the Transportation Security Administration [TSA] and the U.S. Coast Guard manage the Transportation Worker Identification Credential [TWIC] program, which requires maritime workers to complete background checks and obtain a biometric identification card to gain unescorted access to secure areas of regulated maritime facilities. As requested, GAO [Government Accountability Office] evaluated the extent to which (1) TWIC processes for enrollment, background checking, and use are designed to provide reasonable assurance that unescorted access to these facilities is limited to qualified individuals; and (2) the effectiveness of TWIC has been assessed. GAO reviewed program documentation, such as the concept of operations, and conducted site visits to four TWIC centers, conducted covert tests at several selected U.S. ports chosen for their size in terms of cargo volume, and interviewed agency officials. The results of these visits and tests are not generalizable but provide insights and perspective about the TWIC program. This is a public version of a sensitive report. Information DHS deemed sensitive has been redacted."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-05
-
Commercial Nuclear Waste: Effects of the Termination of Yucca Mountain Repository Program and Lessons Learned, Congressional Requesters
"Spent nuclear fuel--considered very hazardous--is accumulating at commercial reactor sites in 33 states. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended, directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to dispose of this waste in a repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. In June 2008, DOE submitted a license application for the repository, but in March 2010 moved to withdraw it. However, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or the courts--as a result of lawsuits--could compel DOE to resume the licensing process. This report examines (1) the basis for DOE's decision to terminate the Yucca Mountain program, (2) the termination steps DOE has taken and their effects, (3) the major impacts if the repository were terminated, and (4) the principal lessons learned. GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed documents and interviewed knowledgeable parties."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04
-
Federal Oil and Gas: Interagency Committee Needs to Better Coordinate Research on Oil Pollution Prevention and Response, Report to the Honorable Lynn Woolsey, House of Representatives
"Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act in 1990 (OPA). Among other things, OPA established the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research (interagency committee) to coordinate an oil pollution research program among federal agencies, including developing a plan, having the National Academy of Sciences review that plan, and reporting to Congress on the interagency committee's efforts biennially. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and fire led to the largest oil spill in U.S. history, raising new concerns about the effects of oil spills. GAO was asked to assess the extent to which the interagency committee has facilitated the coordination of federal agencies' oil pollution research. (The Chairman, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, House Committee on Science and Technology, now retired; and Representative Woolsey initiated this request.) In part, GAO analyzed committee documents and biennial reports and interviewed agency officials and nonfederal research entities. GAO recommends, among other things, that the interagency committee coordinate efforts to evaluate the contributions of completed research and provide, in its 2012 biennial report to Congress, an update of its efforts to revise its research plan. The Department of Homeland Security concurred with our recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-03-25
-
Supply Chain Security: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Has Enhanced Its Partnership with Import Trade Sectors, but Challenges Remain in Verifying Security Practices, Report to Congressional Requesters
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for ensuring the security of cargo containers shipped into the United States. To strike a balance between security and commerce, CBP oversees the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, or C-TPAT program. As part of this program, CBP aims to secure the supply chain--the flow of goods from manufacturers to retailers--through partnerships with international trade companies. Member companies agree to allow CBP to validate their security practices and, in exchange, they are awarded benefits, such as reduced scrutiny of their cargo. In 2005, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed the C-TPAT program and noted operational challenges. For this report, GAO was asked to assess the progress CBP has made since 2005 in (1) improving its benefit award policies for C-TPAT members, (2) addressing challenges in validating members' security practices, and (3) addressing management and staffing challenges. To perform this work, GAO analyzed a nonprobability sample of completed validations; reviewed annual, human capital, and strategic plans; and held discussions with CBP officials. GAO is recommending that CBP improve its electronic validation instrument, improve the validation process, enhance its records management system, and establish performance measures for improving supply chain security. CBP concurred with each of the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2008-04-25
-
Public Health Preparedness: Developing and Acquiring Medical Countermeasures Against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Agents, Statement of Cynthia A. Bascetta Managing Director, Health Care, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"The anthrax attacks of 2001 and a radiation leak after the recent natural disaster in Japan highlighted concerns that the United States is vulnerable to threats from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents, which can cause widespread illness and death. Medical countermeasures--such as drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic devices--can prevent or treat the health effects of exposure, but few are currently available for many of these CBRN agents. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to testify on the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) CBRN medical countermeasure development and acquisition activities. This statement focuses on (1) how HHS determines needed CBRN medical countermeasures and priorities for development and acquisition and (2) selected challenges to medical countermeasure development and acquisition. This statement of preliminary findings is based on ongoing work. To do this work, GAO examined relevant laws and presidential directives, analyzed federal agency documents and reports from advisory boards and expert groups, and interviewed officials from HHS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the processes for developing and acquiring CBRN medical countermeasures and the challenges related to those efforts. GAO shared the information in this statement with HHS. HHS provided technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04-13
-
Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Transparency and Accountability, Statement of Cristina Chaplain, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
"In order to meet its mission, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is developing a highly complex system of systems--land-, sea-, and space-based sensors, interceptors, and battle management. Since its initiation in 2002, MDA has been given a significant amount of flexibility in executing the development and fielding of the ballistic missile defense system. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to testify on its annual review of MDA and on progress made to improve transparency and accountability. This statement is based on our March 2011 report. […] GAO does not make new recommendations in this testimony but emphasizes the importance of implementing past recommendations, including: 1) Establishing and reporting complete, accurate, reliable cost information. 2) Strengthening test planning and resourcing. 3) Following knowledge-based acquisition practices that ensure sufficient knowledge is attained on requirements, technology maturity, design maturity, production maturity and costs before moving programs into more complex and costly phases of development. DOD has committed to take action on many of our recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04-13
-
Coast Guard: Observations on Acquisition Management and Efforts to Reassess the Deepwater Program, Statement of John P. Hutton, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
"The U.S. Coast Guard manages a broad major acquisition portfolio. GAO [Government Accountability Office] has reported extensively on the Coast Guard's significant challenges with its major acquisition programs, including its Deepwater Program. GAO has also recognized steps the Coast Guard has taken to improve acquisition management. Additionally, GAO has recommended that the Coast Guard complete a review of the Deepwater Program to clarify the mix of assets that are needed to meet mission needs and trade-offs while considering fiscal constraints, because the program had exceeded its $24.2 billion baseline. This testimony updates (1) Coast Guard efforts to manage major acquisitions, (2) challenges programs are facing in the areas of cost and schedule, and (3) the status of the Deepwater fleet mix analysis. This statement is largely based on GAO-11-480, which is being issued today. In that report, GAO recommended that the Coast Guard formalize its database of agreements with the Department of Defense (DOD). The Department of Homeland Security agreed with the recommendation. This statement also draws from prior GAO reports and ongoing work related to Deepwater. GAO reviewed the first phase of the Coast Guard's fleet mix analysis, contract documents, and budget information. GAO also interviewed Coast Guard officials responsible for conducting the fleet mix analysis. For the new information, GAO obtained Coast Guard views and incorporated technical comments where appropriate"
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04-13
-
Aviation Security: TSA Is Taking Steps to Validate the Science Underlying Its Passenger Behavior Detection Program, but Efforts May Not Be Comprehensive Statement of Stephen M. Lord, Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives
"The attempted passenger aircraft bombing of Northwest flight 253 on December 25, 2009, provided a vivid reminder that the civil aviation system remains an attractive terrorist target. To enhance aviation security, in October 2003 the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began testing of its Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) program to identify persons who may pose a risk to aviation security. The SPOT program utilizes behavior observation and analysis techniques to identify potentially high-risk passengers. This testimony provides information on (1) the extent to which TSA has validated the scientific basis for SPOT and (2) other operational challenges. This statement is based on a prior report GAO issued in May 2010 on SPOT, including selected updates made in March 2011. For the updates, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed documentation on TSA's progress in implementing the report's recommendations. [...] GAO has made recommendations in prior work to strengthen TSA's SPOT program. TSA generally concurred with the recommendations and has actions under way to address them. GAO provided the updated information to TSA. TSA had no comment."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04-06
-
Employment Verification: Agencies Have Improved E-Verify, but Significant Challenges Remain, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives
"E-Verify is a free, largely voluntary, Internet-based system operated by the Verification Division of the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). The goals of E-Verify are to (1) reduce the employment of individuals unauthorized to work, (2) reduce discrimination, (3) protect employee civil liberties and privacy, and (4) prevent undue burden on employers. [...] USCIS has reduced TNCs [tentative nonconfirmations] from about 8 percent for the period June 2004 through March 2007 to about 2.6 percent in fiscal year 2009. As shown in figure 1, in fiscal year 2009, about 2.6 percent or over 211,000 of newly hired employees received either a SSA or USCIS TNC, including about 0.3 percent who were determined to be work eligible after they contested a TNC and resolved errors or inaccuracies in their records, and about 2.3 percent, or about 189,000, who received a final nonconfirmation because their employment eligibility status remained unresolved. For the approximately 2.3 percent who received a final nonconfirmation, USCIS was unable to determine how many of these employees (1) were authorized employees who did not take action to resolve a TNC because they were not informed by their employers of their right to contest the TNC, (2) independently decided not to contest the TNC, or (3) were not eligible to work."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-04-14
