Research conducted at Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) labs led to 4,446 U.S. patents owned by the agency covering a range of inventions from 1980 through 2019. During that period, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had 93 patents—2 percent of the total—that contributed to the successful development of 34 drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and brought t

GAO's analysis of U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data and interviews with industry stakeholders shows that the repeal of the U.S. crude oil export ban is associated with increased crude oil exports—from less than half a million barrels per day in 2015 to almost 3 million barrels per day in 2019. The repeal of the ban expanded the market for U.S. crude oil to overseas buyers and, a

The roles and responsibilities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during a multistate foodborne illness outbreak include analyzing federal foodborne illness surveillance networks to identify outbreaks, leading investigations to determine the food causing the outbreak, and communicating with the public. CDC also works to build and maintain federal, state, territorial, and loca

GAO began 37 new audits that involved the Department of Defense (DOD) in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. Of GAO's 37 requested entrance conferences for those audits, DOD scheduled 33 within 14 days and held 34 within 30 days of GAO's notification. Entrance conferences are initial meetings between agency officials and GAO staff that allow GAO to communicate its audit objectives and enable

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recently taken steps intended to strengthen its processes for addressing consumer product defect cases, such as by developing a web portal to facilitate firms' participation in its Fast Track program for expedited recalls. However, GAO found several areas in which CPSC could improve how it responds to consumer product hazards: (1) Prioritizing res

U.S. Cyber Command created the Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture (JCWA) as a concept to integrate cyber warfighting systems. Department of Defense (DOD) officials told GAO that the JCWA is to serve as a guiding concept for cyber warfighting acquisitions and investment decisions, rather than a traditional architecture that DOD's systems engineering guidance states would address functions, relat

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) intends for its new foundational military intelligence system, the Machine-Assisted Analytic Rapid-Repository System (MARS), to have capabilities to collect and synthesize data that significantly exceed those of its legacy system. DIA began developing MARS in 2018. DIA and stakeholders have identified policy, technical, and operational risks facing the progra

Federal agencies used the Defense Production Act (DPA) to help address medical supply shortages from COVID-19. The DPA gives agencies the authority to (1) prioritize contracts for medical supplies so those orders get preference over others, and (2) expand domestic production of medical supplies. GAO identified 43 contracts and agreements—initially valued at about $3.9 billion—where agencies p

Some English learners and their families had difficulty fully participating in distance learning during spring 2020 due to a lack of necessary technology, language barriers, and the demands of meeting basic family needs. English learners lost opportunities to practice their language skills, according to school district officials and representatives of professional associations. Also, limited Engl

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded over $985 million to Indian tribes through 43 different grant programs from fiscal years 2014 through 2019, according to agency data from EPA's Integrated Grants Management System. For example, EPA awarded grants for the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program—which assists tribes in developing their environmental programs—and for prog