Reports News from the GAO http://www.gao.gov/browse/date/week Tue, 22 May 2012 04:02:17 -0400 GAO http://www.gao.gov/images/title_object.jpg http://www.gao.gov/ Feed provided by GAO. Click to visit. http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-549?source=ra What GAO FoundFewer small employers claimed the Small Employer Health Insurance Tax Credit in tax year 2010 than were estimated to be eligible. While 170,300 small employers claimed it, estimates of the eligible pool by government agencies and small business advocacy groups ranged from 1.4 million to 4 million. Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-490?source=ra What GAO FoundPublic housing agencies (PHA) that participate in the Moving to Work (MTW) program report annually on the performance of their activities, which include efforts to reduce administrative costs and encourage residents to work. Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-528R?source=ra What GAO FoundDuring our audit of CFPB’s fiscal year 2011 financial statements, we identified seven internal control issues that could adversely affect CFPB’s ability to meet its internal control objectives. Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-582?source=ra What GAO FoundAlthough the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) enforces compliance with mandatory federal safety standards, it is also required by law to rely on voluntary safety standards when it determines that the standard adequately addresses the product hazard and is likely to have substantial compliance. Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-650R?source=ra What GAO FoundEmployee Performance Standards for the Timely Review of Medical Product Applications:Timeliness One Aspect of Employee Performance Assessments:FDA officials told us that,The timeliness of application reviews is one aspect of employee performance, and it is also important to balance timeliness with the agency’s standards for medical product safety and effectiveness.Assessing employee performance based solely on timeliness is inappropriate because, for example, more difficult applications could be associated with longer review times.Multiple employees are responsible for the review of a single application, and it is not any one employee’s responsibility to meet the goals related to the Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments (PDUFA) and the Medical Device User Fee Amendments (MDUFA).Timeliness Standards for Center Directors, Other Executive Employees, and Nonexecutive Employees:FDA officials told us that the Center Directors in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH)—who are executive employees—are ultimately accountable for meeting the timelines related to the PDUFA and MDUFA performance goals—including the percentages of reviews conducted within designated time frames.Performance plans for two of three Center Directors explicitly included timeliness goals related to PDUFA or MDUFA. Fri, 18 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-545R?source=ra What GAO FoundOlder electricity generating units—those that began operating in or before 1978—provided 45 percent of electricity from fossil fuel units in 2010 but produced a disproportionate share of emissions, both in aggregate and per unit of electricity generated. Fri, 18 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-713T?source=ra What GAO FoundThe Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant’s maintenance of effort (MOE) provisions include specified state spending levels and general requirements on the use of funds. Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-360?source=ra What GAO FoundAt the end of fiscal year 2011, GAO identified more than $794 million in funding remaining in expired grant accounts—accounts that were more than 3 months past the grant end date and had no activity for 9 months or more—in the Payment Management System (PMS). Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-534?source=ra What GAO FoundThe United States provided an estimated $13.9 billion for foreign police assistance during fiscal years 2009 through 2011. Funds provided by U.S. Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-626?source=ra What GAO FoundThe Census Bureau’s (Bureau) early planning and preparation efforts for the 2020 Census are consistent with most leading practices in each of the three management areas GAO reviewed. Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-551?source=ra What GAO FoundU.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detects and deters evasion of antidumping and countervailing (AD/CV) duties through a three-part process that involves (1) identifying potential cases of evasion, (2) attempting to verify if evasion is occurring, and (3) taking enforcement action. Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-499R?source=ra What GAO FoundDuring our audit of FHFA’s fiscal years 2011 and 2010 financial statements, we identified one internal control issue and a continuing issue related to information systems controls that could adversely affect FHFA’s ability to meet its internal control objectives. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-484?source=ra What GAO FoundIRS has taken initial steps to implement FATCA requirements in line with leading implementation practices, including establishing a team to manage the implementation process and issuing guidance and proposed regulations. Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-133?source=ra What GAO FoundSince GAO’s 2007 review, the Army has taken steps to improve its use of reset in targeting equipment shortages. In 2007, GAO noted that the Army’s reset implementation strategy did not specifically target shortages of equipment on hand among units preparing for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan in order to mitigate operational risk. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-724T?source=ra What GAO FoundUnemployment rates for workers of all ages have risen dramatically since the start of the recent recession in December 2007, and workers age 55 and over have faced particularly long periods of unemployment. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-445?source=ra What GAO FoundAs with many other demographic groups, older workers’ unemployment overall and long-term unemployment rates have increased dramatically since the recession began in 2007. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-548?source=ra What GAO FoundMany State Partnership Program stakeholders, including State Partnership Program Coordinators, Bilateral Affairs Officers, and combatant command officials, cited benefits to the program, but the program lacks a comprehensive oversight framework that includes clear program goals, objectives, and metrics to measure progress against those goals, which limits the Department of Defense’s (DOD) and Congress’ ability to assess whether the program is an effective and efficient use of resources. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-575R?source=ra What GAO FoundInformation on the overall effectiveness (or impact) of the CDBG and HOME programs is limited. According to HUD officials, the agency has faced challenges in evaluating the impact of CDBG and HOME because, among other things, such an evaluation would have to compare neighborhoods that received program assistance with those that did not. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-682?source=ra What GAO Found In accordance with section 107 of the Congressional Award Act, as amended (2 U.S.C. § 807), we are responsible for conducting audits of the Congressional Award Foundation’s (the Foundation) financial statements. Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-740T?source=ra What GAO FoundIn its October 2010 report, GAO noted that oil shale development presents the following opportunities for the United States:Increasing domestic oil production. Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-556?source=ra What GAO FoundThe Department of Defense (DOD) has taken steps to establish its concept for conducting security force assistance, including broadly defining the term and identifying actions needed to plan for and prepare forces to execute these activities. Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-663R?source=ra What GAO FoundPCORI received an unqualified audit opinion on its 2011 and 2010 financial statements. In its audit of PCORI’s financial statements, the IPA found that the financial statements were presented fairly, in all material respects, and there was no reportable noncompliance with selected provisions of laws and regulations the IPA tested as part of its audit. Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-491?source=ra What GAO FoundHomelessness programs are fragmented across multiple agencies and some show evidence of overlap. In fiscal year 2010, eight federal agencies obligated roughly $2.8 billion to administer 26 homelessness programs. Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-480R?source=ra What GAO FoundDOD is estimating and publishing approximate costs for selected types of internally and externally required reports, but in some cases its approach is not fully consistent with relevant cost estimating best practices and cost accounting standards. Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-329?source=ra What GAO FoundLittle research exists on the effect of workplace safety incentive programs and other workplace safety policies on workers' reporting of injuries and illnesses, but several experts identified a link between certain types of programs and policies and reporting. Wed, 09 May 2012 13:00:00 -0400