Status Report on GAO's Reviews of the Targeted Export Assistance Program, the Export Enhancement Program, and the GSM-102/103 Export Credit Guarantee Programs

GAO discussed the status of the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Targeted Export Assistance (TEA) Program, Export Enhancement Program (EEP), and Export Credit Guarantee Programs. GAO noted that USDA took various actions to resolve program management problems, but some problems remained. GAO found that USDA: (1) lacked an adequate system of internal controls to effectively manage TEA programs; (2) guidelines for contracting, authorized expenditures, contributions, and evaluation requirements were vague; (3) did not routinely verify certain information provided by exporters participating in EEP; (4) did not adequately document price and bonus calculations; and (5) did not take suspension or debarment actions against participants that violated program regulations.