Reports & Testimonies
Recommendations Database
GAO’s recommendations database contains report recommendations that still need to be addressed. GAO’s priority recommendations are those that we believe warrant priority attention. We sent letters to the heads of key departments and agencies, urging them to continue focusing on these issues. Below you can search only priority recommendations, or search all recommendations.
Our recommendations help congressional and agency leaders prepare for appropriations and oversight activities, as well as help improve government operations. Moreover, when implemented, some of our priority recommendations can save large amounts of money, help Congress make decisions on major issues, and substantially improve or transform major government programs or agencies, among other benefits.
As of October 25, 2020, there are 4812 open recommendations, of which 473 are priority recommendations. Recommendations remain open until they are designated as Closed-implemented or Closed-not implemented.
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Results:
Subject Term: "Case management"
GAO-20-428, May 14, 2020
Phone: (202) 512-8678
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Agency: Department of Labor
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
GAO-20-200, Feb 19, 2020
Phone: (202) 512-8777
Agency: Department of Justice: United States Marshals Service
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Agency: Department of Justice: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Agency: Department of Justice: United States Marshals Service
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Agency: Department of Justice: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Agency: Department of Justice: United States Marshals Service
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Agency: Department of Justice: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Agency: Department of Justice: United States Marshals Service
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
GAO-20-47, Oct 28, 2019
Phone: (202) 512-8678
Agency: United States Securities and Exchange Commission: Division of Enforcement
Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
GAO-19-330, May 23, 2019
Phone: (202) 512-7215
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services: Administration for Community Living
Status: Open
Comments: HHS agreed with this recommendation, stating that it would encourage its resource centers to identify promising practices and other information specific to rural communities so that these resources would be searchable. In December 2019, ACL stated that it would continue to list all resource centers on its website so that anyone can find resources specific to any topic funded by ACL. The agency also noted that it would begin implementation of this action with new resource centers funded with FY 2020 appropriations. GAO continues to encourage ACL to centralize access to information pertinent to rural older adults by making it easily searchable across these websites or compiling it in other ways and promoting awareness of this information.
GAO-19-198, Mar 7, 2019
Phone: (202) 512-3604
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The DOD Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and in December 2019 reported to the Chairs of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees that the DOD and military service Inspectors General had convened a working group to coordinate performance improvement on unmet timeliness goals. According to the IG, the working group's recommendations are being incorporated into uniform standards for reprisal investigations that are expected to be finalized in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The Air Force Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and the DOD Officer of Inspector General stated in December 2019 that the Air Force Inspector General was in the process of implementing it. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The Marine Corps Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and the DOD Office of Inspector General stated in December 2019 that the Marine Corps Inspector General was in the process of implementing it. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The Naval Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and the DOD Office of Inspector General stated in December 2019 that the Naval Inspector General was in the process of implementing it. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The DOD Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and stated in December 2019 that the DOD Office of Inspector General was in the process of implementing it. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The DOD Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and in December 2019 reported to the Chairs of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees that the future whistleblower case management system would incorporate design limits providing for access to information only by personnel necessary to accomplish assigned tasks in accordance with organizational missions and business functions. According to the IG, the system is scheduled to deploy in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The DOD Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and stated in December 2019 that the DOD Office of Inspector General was in the process of implementing it. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The Air Force Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and stated in December 2019 that an update scheduled for the end of April 2020 would enhance access control measures in its existing applications. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The Army Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and the DOD Office of Inspector General stated in December 2019 that the Army Inspector General was in the process of implementing it. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The Marine Corps Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and the DOD Office of Inspector General stated in December 2019 that the Marine Corps Inspector General was in the process of implementing it. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: The Naval Inspector General concurred with this recommendation, and the DOD Office of Inspector General stated in December 2019 that the Naval Inspector General was in the process of implementing it. We will update the status of this recommendation once we confirm what actions the department has taken.
GAO-19-140, Dec 10, 2018
Phone: (202) 512-2757
including 1 priority recommendation
Agency: Department of Commerce
Status: Open
Priority recommendation
Comments: In its February 2019 action plan, the Bureau indicated having updated the Census Field Supervisor hiring assessment to include questions on supervisory experience, in line with draft documentation provided near the end of our engagement. The Bureau also indicated that, by June 2019, it would communicate as part of supervisor training increased supervisory responsibilities and the need to more actively work with enumerators in answering casework questions. In August 2020, the Bureau informed us that the Bureau would not be altering the information flows for 2020 operations to ensure that census field supervisors receive the same guidance and procedural updates that managers within the area census office receive. To fully implement this recommendation for future fieldwork, the Bureau's planned or other actions will also need to demonstrate how the census field supervisors will have the information they need to carry out their responsibilities to provide supervisory support to enumerators.
Agency: Department of Commerce
Status: Open
Comments: In its February 2019 action plan, the Bureau indicated that it plans, by June 2019, to give area census offices (ACOs) the ability to distribute training and informational updates to their local workforces through the Operational Control System. As of January 2020, we are reviewing updated Bureau training documentation on planned mid-operation procedural changes. In April 2020, the Bureau informed us that ACOs would not be empowered during 2020 operations to deliver to their workforces standardized, mid-operation guidance that would be targeted to specific issues being observed locally in the field. Officials noted that they would revisit this issue after 2020 operations have concluded. To fully implement this recommendation for future fieldwork, the Bureau will need to demonstrate the ability of ACOs to identify procedural or other implementation issues encountered locally and develop some form of actionable guidance disseminated systematically to its workforce in near-real time.
GAO-18-405, Jul 31, 2018
Phone: (202) 512-8777
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: United States Customs and Border Protection
Status: Open
Comments: In February 2020, CBP provided documentation of a data verification checklist used by its Office of Professional Responsibility for the Joint Integrity Case Management System. However, CBP also needs to develop a similar tool or method to verify case management data contained in its Human Resource Business Engine system. And to fully implement this recommendation, CBP needs to revise policy or guidance to ensure documentation of control activities (data verification and legal review of adverse actions) in its case management systems. We are continuing to follow-up on the actions taken by CBP to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: United States Customs and Border Protection
Status: Open
Comments: In October 2018, CBP told us that it is currently updating one of its case management systems to better monitor cases beginning-to-end by stage and by case type. Once implemented, CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility will develop an internal management report that includes information on caseload and associated timelines. The estimated completion date for this recommendation is September 30, 2019. As of September 2020, we are continuing to follow up with CBP on its actions to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: United States Customs and Border Protection
Status: Open
Comments: In October 2018, CBP stated that it is currently updating one of its case management systems to better monitor the timeliness of misconduct cases according to established targets. Once updated, CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility will develop an internal management report that includes information on caseload and associated timelines. The estimated completion date for this recommendation is September 30, 2019. As of September 2020, we are continuing to follow up with CBP on its actions to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: United States Customs and Border Protection
Status: Open
Comments: In October 2018, CBP stated that its Office of Professional Responsibility will define the case management system data fields used to measure established performance targets, and it will provide the appropriate guidance to staff. The estimated completion date of this recommendation is September 30, 2019. As of September 2020, we are continuing to follow up with CBP on its actions to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Status: Open
Comments: In November 2018, ICE provided documentation of related communication provided to staff. However, this documentation did not include revised policy or guidance documents that requires staff to document the investigative findings in the employee misconduct case management system. As of September 2020, we are continuing to follow-up on ICE's actions to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Status: Open
Comments: In October 2018, ICE stated that it is revising its policy for its self-Inspection program to track the status of related corrective actions. ICE also stated that it will review three program offices for compliance with these revised policies and procedures during fiscal year 2019. The estimated completion date of this recommendation is June 28, 2019. As of September 2020, we are continuing to follow-up on ICE's actions to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Status: Open
Comments: In October 2018, ICE stated that beginning in fiscal year 2019, a project team will develop the capability to monitor the duration of all employee misconduct cases beginning-to-end by stage and by case type. The estimated completion date of this recommendation is June 28, 2019. As of September 2020, we are continuing to follow-up on ICE's actions to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Status: Open
Comments: In October 2018, ICE stated that its Office of Professional Responsibility developed guidance regarding established targets for the completion of management inquiries and will distribute the guidance to applicable staff. ICE also stated that it is developing timeliness targets for Employee Relations specialist review of proposals and decisions of disciplinary outcomes and will also distribute this guidance to applicable staff. The estimated completion date for this recommendation is June 28, 2019. As of September 2020, we are continuing to follow-up on ICE's actions to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Status: Open
Comments: In October 2018, ICE stated that it will work to define and document the case management system data fields and methodology to be used for monitoring all established performance targets and will provide related guidance to applicable staff. The estimated completion date for this recommendation is June 28, 2019. As of September 2020, we are continuing to follow-up on ICE's actions to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: Transportation Security Administration
Status: Open
Comments: In September 2020, TSA provided documentation of internal reports that measure duration. However, the reports do not provide management information on the duration of all case types from beginning-to-end and, by stage. TSA needs to provide evidence that it monitors the duration of all cases, including a description of which process stages are measured and which data fields are used to measure the total duration from beginning-to-end and by stage. We are continuing to follow up on the actions taken by TSA to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: Transportation Security Administration
Status: Open
Comments: In September 2020, TSA provided evidence of reports it uses to measure duration. However, these reports do not show how TSA performs with regards to established targets. TSA needs to provide evidence of how it monitors the timeliness of all established targets , including which specific data fields are used to measure these targets. We are continuing to follow up on the actions taken by TSA to implement this recommendation.
Agency: Department of Homeland Security: Transportation Security Administration
Status: Open
Comments: In May 2019, TSA provided guidance to its staff related to monitoring performance targets. However, these documents do not specify which system data should be used as part of the methodology for monitoring all established performance targets. TSA needs to provide documentation of guidance to staff that defines and documents all the specific case management system data field names (in the various databases, as applicable) and methodology staff should use to monitor all established timeliness targets. We are continuing to follow up on the actions taken by TSA to implement this recommendation.
GAO-16-667, Sep 8, 2016
Phone: (202) 512-6304
Agency: Congress
Status: Open
Comments: As of February 2020, Congress has not yet considered if it plans to amend FOIA regarding the reporting of costs for defending lawsuits in which the plaintiffs prevailed.
Agency: Congress
Status: Open
Comments: As of February 2020, Congress has not yet considered if it plans to amend FOIA to require Justice to make changes to its Litigation and Compliance reports.
GAO-16-583, Jul 12, 2016
Phone: (202) 512-3604
Agency: Department of Defense: Department of the Army
Status: Open
Comments: The Army concurred with this recommendation. As of August 2020, an Army Medical Command official stated that the Warrior Transition Unit manpower model is under review by the U.S. Army Manpower Analysis Agency and that the scheduled date for the release of the review is unknown.
GAO-15-477, May 7, 2015
Phone: (202) 512-3604
Agency: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: DOD officials concurred with this recommendation and provided an update in May 2019, in which they stated that the office was preparing an issuance for coordination that will direct the services to follow standardized investigation stages and guidance clarifying how the stages are defined. DOD officials estimated that the issuance would be completed by December 31, 2019.