Decennial Census:
Status of Plans To Computerize Questionnaire Data
GGD-86-76BR: Published: May 5, 1986. Publicly Released: May 23, 1986.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Census Bureau's 1990 Decennial Census planning efforts, specifically its decision to exclude optical mark recognition (OMR) technology as an option for the 1990 census.
GAO found that: (1) converting data obtained from questionnaires to a computer-readable format at an early stage improves data accuracy by allowing computerized editing and review; (2) substituting automation for a number of manual, labor-intensive processing efforts can control costs, but optimizing the advantages of automation requires advance detailed planning and early decisions; (3) although the Bureau made an early commitment to increased automation, it started detailed planning late and progressed at a slow pace; (4) late planning efforts, the reluctance to revise the questionnaire form, and a slow procurement process influenced the Bureau's decision to exclude a potentially useful automation option without fully exploring it; (5) the Bureau did not plan the necessary evaluations required to fully test OMR technology limitations or potential; and (6) although the Bureau decided to discontinue its efforts to test OMR as a primary data methodology for the 1990 census because of the costs to develop the proposed system and the short time frame remaining to accomplish the modifications, it should have had the same concerns about one or both of the other data capture methodologies it was considering for the 1990 census.
Mar 2, 2021
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High-Risk Series:
Dedicated Leadership Needed to Address Limited Progress in Most High-Risk AreasGAO-21-119SP: Published: Mar 2, 2021. Publicly Released: Mar 2, 2021. -
High-Risk Series:
Dedicated Leadership Needed to Address Limited Progress in Most High-Risk AreasGAO-21-383T: Published: Mar 2, 2021. Publicly Released: Mar 2, 2021. -
High-Risk Series:
Dedicated Leadership Needed to Address Limited Progress in Most High-Risk AreasGAO-21-384T: Published: Mar 2, 2021. Publicly Released: Mar 2, 2021.
Feb 3, 2021
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Fixed-Price-Incentive Contracts:
DOD Has Increased Their Use but Should Assess Contributions to OutcomesGAO-21-181: Published: Feb 3, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 3, 2021.
Jan 29, 2021
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Federal Real Property:
Additional Documentation of Decision Making Could Improve Transparency of New Disposal ProcessGAO-21-233: Published: Jan 29, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 29, 2021.
Jan 19, 2021
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Federal Rulemaking:
Selected EPA and HHS Regulatory Analyses Met Several Best Practices, but CMS Should Take Steps to Strengthen Its AnalysesGAO-21-151: Published: Dec 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
Jan 13, 2021
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Department of Energy Contracting:
Improvements Needed to Ensure DOE Assesses Its Full Range of Contracting Fraud RisksGAO-21-44: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 13, 2021.
Dec 16, 2020
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Data Governance:
Agencies Made Progress in Establishing Governance, but Need to Address Key MilestonesGAO-21-152: Published: Dec 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2020.
Dec 9, 2020
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2020 Census:
The Bureau Concluded Field Work but Uncertainty about Data Quality, Accuracy, and Protection RemainsGAO-21-206R: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Dec 3, 2020
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2020 Census:
Census Bureau Needs to Assess Data Quality Concerns Stemming from Recent Design ChangesGAO-21-142: Published: Dec 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 3, 2020.
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