Yearend Spending by Federal Agencies
PSAD-80-60: Published: Jul 7, 1980. Publicly Released: Jul 7, 1980.
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There are many reasons why Federal agencies have a yearend surge in expenditures, not all of them are avoidable or wasteful. Some yearend obligations are illusions and do not represent the actual expenditure of funds. Certain agencies have prerecorded future obligations to prevent funds from lapsing, give the appearance of greater achievement than has actually transpired, or recognize potential liabilities that are at the best speculative. A certain amount of wasteful yearend spending occurs when an agency finds itself with substantial amounts of unobligated funds at the close of the fiscal year. Waste occurs through funding of low-priority projects, stimulating demand for unplanned products or services and shortcutting the procurement process. Premature funding of existing contracts beyond current period needs and awarding Small Business Act contracts months before a subcontractor, who will actually provide the supply or service, has been selected also occur. GAO believes a significant amount of yearend contracts and grants is awarded for the purpose intended, but poor planning causes a bunching up of procurement at the end of the year. There are many legislative proposals to place limits on the percentage of total expenditures during the last several months of the fiscal year. While such measures will not necessarily prevent wasteful expenditures, they will stimulate better planning and contribute to more prudent contract and grant activity.
Jun 26, 2019
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Actions Needed to Achieve Long-Term Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-19-611T: Published: Jun 26, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 26, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-19-314SP: Published: Apr 10, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
Mar 27, 2019
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Fiscal Exposures:
Federal Insurance and Other Activities That Transfer Risk or Losses to the GovernmentGAO-19-353: Published: Mar 27, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 2019.
Mar 22, 2019
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Data Act:
OMB Needs to Formalize Data Governance for Reporting Federal SpendingGAO-19-284: Published: Mar 22, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 22, 2019.
Feb 27, 2019
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Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request:
U.S. Government Accountability OfficeGAO-19-403T: Published: Feb 27, 2019. Publicly Released: Feb 27, 2019.
Dec 19, 2018
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Army Corps of Engineers:
Budget Requests Included Construction Projects Located in Over 30 States, Selected Using a Multi-level ProcessGAO-19-99: Published: Dec 19, 2018. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2018.
Dec 13, 2018
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State and Local Governments' Fiscal Outlook:
2018 UpdateGAO-19-208SP: Published: Dec 13, 2018. Publicly Released: Dec 13, 2018.
Dec 11, 2018
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Federal Budget:
Government-Wide Inventory of Accounts with Spending Authority and Permanent Appropriations, Fiscal Years 1995 to 2015GAO-19-289T: Published: Dec 11, 2018. Publicly Released: Dec 11, 2018. -
Federal Budget:
Government-Wide Inventory of Accounts with Spending Authority and Permanent Appropriations, Fiscal Years 1995 to 2015GAO-19-36: Published: Nov 29, 2018. Publicly Released: Dec 11, 2018.
Jun 28, 2018
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U.S. Postal Service:
Projected Capital Spending and Processes for Addressing Uncertainties and RisksGAO-18-515: Published: Jun 28, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 2018.
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