Recommendations for Executive Action

1. Status: Closed - Implemented

   Comments: DOT concurred in this recommendation, stating that the Department's processes for producing replies to GAO reports are continuously evaluated. It cited several modifications that have been implemented, said that these initiatives should produce significant improvements in the timeliness of DOT replies, and added that it would continue to identify and implement further modifications.

   Recommendation: To improve DOT compliance with the cited legislative, OMB, and DOT requirements, the Assistant Secretary for Administration, DOT, should: (1) assess DOT procedures for developing, reviewing, coordinating, and processing statements to appropriate congressional committees on GAO recommendations; (2) identify needed improvements in such procedures; and (3) initiate corrective actions to improve the timeliness of written statements on GAO recommendations.

   Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

2. Status: Closed - Implemented

   Comments: DOT concurred in this recommendation. It said that the importance of target completion dates had been stressed to the operating administrations and would be reemphasized periodically as the need arises. DOT added that all responses are reviewed early in the process to ensure that expected completion dates for corrective actions are provided as necessary.

   Recommendation: To improve DOT compliance with the cited legislative, OMB, and DOT requirements, the Assistant Secretary for Administration, DOT, should emphasize to the operating administrations and other DOT entities responsible for developing responses to GAO recommendations the importance of complying with OMB and DOT directives on the establishment of expected completion dates in all appropriate cases, and take steps, when appropriate, in DOT written statements.

   Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

3. Status: Closed - Implemented

   Comments: DOT concurred in part in this recommendation. It said that it fully supports thorough analyses of the DOT GAO response system and that it has implemented a system for continuous evaluation and quality improvement. DOT added that it would continue to examine all aspects of the system's operation and implement changes. However, DOT did not agree to develop a timetable for evaluating the systems.

   Recommendation: To improve the DOT compliance with the cited legislative, OMB, and DOT requirements, the Assistant Secretary for Administration, DOT, should develop a strategy and a timetable for periodic evaluations of DOT and operating administrations' systems for responding to and tracking action on GAO recommendations.

   Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

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