GAO Reports

GAO Reports Reports News from the GAO http://www.gao.gov/browse/date/week Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:39:37 -0500 GAO http://www.gao.gov/images/title_object.jpg GAO logo http://www.gao.gov/ Feed provided by GAO. Click to visit. GAO-12-188, Nuclear Weapons: NNSA Needs to Improve Guidance on Weapon Limitations and Planning for Its Stockpile Surveillance Program, February 08, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-188?source=ra What GAO FoundFor the 52 NNSA identified limitations for all weapons in the U.S. nuclear stockpile, 86 percent fall into six types: detonation safety under abnormal conditions, weapon reliability, weapon delivery, more frequent replacement of limited life components, nuclear yield, and worker safety. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-395T, Information Technology: SBA Needs to Strengthen Oversight of Its Loan Management and Accounting System Modernization, February 08, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-395T?source=ra What GAO FoundThis testimony discusses the Small Business Administrations (SBA) efforts to modernize its Loan Management and Accounting System (LMAS). Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-295, Information Technology: SBA Needs to Strengthen Oversight of Its Loan Management and Accounting System Modernization, January 25, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-295?source=ra What GAO FoundAs of October 2011, SBA had completed one of the seven projects and awarded contracts for work on three others. However, the projects are experiencing increasing costs and schedule delays. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-359, Humanitarian and Development Assistance: Project Evaluations and Better Information Sharing Needed to Manage the Military's Efforts, February 08, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-359?source=ra What GAO FoundThe Department of Defenses (DOD) management of its key humanitarian assistance programs reflects both positive practices and weaknesses:Alignment with strategic goals. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-156, Energy-Water Nexus: Information on the Quantity, Quality, and Management of Water Produced during Oil and Gas Production, January 09, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-156?source=ra What GAO FoundA significant amount of water is produced daily as a byproduct from drilling of oil and gas. A 2009 Argonne National Laboratory study estimated that 56 million barrels of water are produced onshore every day, but this study may underestimate the current total volume because it is based on limited, and in some cases, incomplete data generated by the states. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-294, U.S. Export-Import Bank: Actions Needed to Promote Competitiveness and International Cooperation, February 07, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-294?source=ra What GAO FoundThe United States and other G-7 countries have ECAs that support domestic exports, but Ex-Im differs from other ECAs in several important ways, including its explicit mission to promote domestic employment. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-422T, Supply Chain Security: Container Security Programs Have Matured, but Uncertainty Persists over the Future of 100 Percent Scanning, February 07, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-422T?source=ra What GAO FoundAs part of its efforts to identify high-risk cargo for inspection, CBP uses various sources of information to screen containers in advance of their arrival in the United States. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-443T, SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM: Governmentwide Fraud Prevention Control Weaknesses Leave Program Vulnerable to Fraud and Abuse, but VA Has Made Progress in Improving Its Verification Process, February 07, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-443T?source=ra What GAO FoundGovernmentwide fraud prevention control weaknesses over the SDVOSB program leave it vulnerable to fraud and abuse. In October 2009, GAO reported on 10 selected firms that misrepresented their status as SDVOSBs, which allowed them to win approximately $100 million in SDVOSB set-aside and sole-source contracts. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-405T, Improper Payments: Moving Forward with Governmentwide Reduction Strategies, February 07, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-405T?source=ra What GAO FoundFederal agencies reported an estimated $115.3 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2011, a decrease of $5.3 billion from the prior year reported estimate of $120.6 billion. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-455T, Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Request: U.S. Government Accountability Office, February 07, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-455T?source=ra This testimony discusses the U.S. Government Accountability Offices (GAO) budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2013. GAO very much appreciates the confidence Congress has shown in the efforts to help support the Congress in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve government performance and accountability for the benefit of the American people.GAO is requesting an appropriation of $526.2 million for FY 2013 to support a staffing level of 3,100. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-84, Federal Contracting: Monitoring and Oversight of Tribal 8(a) Firms Need Attention, January 31, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-84?source=ra What GAO FoundFederal dollars obligated to tribal 8(a) firms grew from $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2005 to $5.5 billion in 2010, a greater percentage increase than non-tribal 8(a) obligations (160 percent versus 45 percent). Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-261, Diesel Pollution: Fragmented Federal Programs That Reduce Mobile Source Emissions Could Be Improved, February 07, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-261?source=ra What GAO FoundFederal grant and loan funding for activities that reduce mobile source diesel emissions is fragmented across 14 programs at the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-320, Bureau of Prisons: Eligibility and Capacity Impact Use of Flexibilities to Reduce Inmates' Time in Prison, February 07, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-320?source=ra What GAO FoundBOPs use of authorities to reduce a federal prisoners period of incarceration varies. BOP primarily utilizes three authoritiesthe Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (RDAP), community corrections, and good conduct time.(1) Eligible inmates can participate in RDAP before release from prison, but those eligible for a sentence reduction are generally unable to complete RDAP in time to earn the maximum reduction (generally 12 months). Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-281R, Air Force and Interior Can Benefit from Additional Guidance When Deciding Whether to Lease or Purchase Equipment, February 07, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-281R?source=ra What GAO FoundContracting officials from Air Force and Interior generally did not perform lease versus purchase analyses for selected contracts. Based on contract file reviews and discussions with contracting officials, we found that analyses were not performed and that contracting officials had not considered the alternative acquisition method for 24 of the 32 selected contracts. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-309R, Federal Employees' Compensation Act: Benefits for Retirement-Age Beneficiaries, February 06, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-309R?source=ra What GAO FoundIn 2010, 31,880or 10 percentof all FECA beneficiaries were long-term, full-time beneficiaries and 10,873 of thoseor 34 percentwere at full retirement age, as defined under the Social Security Act. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-21, Military Child Care: DOD Is Taking Actions to Address Awareness and Availability Barriers, February 03, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-21?source=ra What GAO FoundOut-of-pocket costs for military families who use DOD-subsidized child care are largely driven by policies that vary by service. DOD establishes income-based fee ranges for on-installation child care, but each service sets its own fees and discounts within these parameters. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-126, Medicare: Lack of Price Transparency May Hamper Hospitals' Ability to Be Prudent Purchasers of Implantable Medical Devices, January 13, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-126?source=ra What GAO FoundFrom 2004 through 2009, expenditures for hospital IMD procedures increased from $16.1 billion to $19.8 billion, an increase of 4.3 percent per yeara rate equal to that of Medicare spending for other hospital procedures. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-382T, Department of Homeland Security: Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen Strategic Planning and Management Functions, February 03, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-382T?source=ra What GAO Found DHSs primary strategic planning effort in recent years has been the QHSR. In September 2011, GAO reported on the extent to which DHS consulted with stakeholders in developing the QHSR. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-436T, Arlington National Cemetery: Actions Needed to Ensure Lasting, Positive Changes in Contracting and Management, February 03, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-436T?source=ra What GAO FoundGAO identified 56 contracts and task orders that were active during fiscal year 2010 and the first three quarters of fiscal year 2011 under which contracting offices obligated roughly $35.2 million on Arlingtons behalf. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-340, Defense Logistics: Improvements Needed to Enhance Oversight of Estimated Long-term Costs for Operating and Supporting Major Weapon Systems, February 02, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-340?source=ra What GAO FoundDODs reports to Congress on estimated weapon system O&S costs are often inconsistent and sometimes unreliable, limiting visibility needed for effective oversight of these costs. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-430T, OPM Retirement Modernization: Progress Has Been Hindered by Longstanding Information Technology Management Weaknesses, February 01, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-430T?source=ra What GAO FoundIn a series of reviews, GAO found that OPMs retirement modernization efforts were hindered by weaknesses in key management practices that are essential to successful IT modernization projects. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-321R, Firms Reported in Open Sources to Have Sold Iran Refined Petroleum Products Declined Since June 30, 2010, January 24, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-321R?source=ra What GAO FoundIrans involvement in illicit nuclear activities, support for terrorism, and abuse of human rights has led the United States, as well as other nations, to impose sanctions in an attempt to curb these activities. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-208G, Designing Evaluations: 2012 Revision (Supersedes PEMD-10.1.4), January 31, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-208G?source=ra This publication supersedes PEMD-10.1.4, Designing Evaluations, May 1, 1991. GAO assists congressional decision makers in their deliberations by furnishing them with analytical information on issues and options. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-316R, Actions to Enforce the Iran Sanctions Act and Implement Contractor Certification Requirement, January 24, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-316R?source=ra What GAO FoundSince the fall of 2010, State has sanctioned 13 foreign firms under the ISA2 for investments in Irans energy sector and 11 for supplying refined petroleum products.State imposed various sanctions on each firm, listed 10 in EPLS making them ineligible to receive U.S. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500 GAO-12-59, IRS Management: Cost Estimate for New Information Reporting System Needs to be Made More Reliable, January 31, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-59?source=ra What GAO FoundThe 2011 Information Reporting and Document Matching (IRDM) cost estimate, used to justify the programs projected budgets of $115 million for fiscal years 2012 through 2016, generally does not meet best practices for reliability. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500