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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Recommendation: The Director of OMB should take steps to ensure that federal agencies implement its guidance on agency adherence to E.O. 13132 requirements, particularly related to designating a federalism official. (Recommendation 1)
Agency: Executive Office of the President: Office of Management and Budget Status: Open
Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs should develop a process so that all regional and agency offices consistently provide tribes with documentation on calculations and methodologies to identify resources available to administer a program using a self-determination contract. (Recommendation 1)
Agency: Department of the Interior: Bureau of Indian Affairs Status: Open Priority recommendation
Comments: Interior agreed with this recommendation and stated that it will develop updated procedures on the response to tribal inquiries for resources available for self-determination contracts. To fully implement this recommendation, BIA needs to develop updated procedures to respond to tribal inquiries regarding available resources. When we obtain additional information from BIA, we will update the status of this recommendation.
Recommendation: The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs should develop a process that results in consistent determinations for inherently federal functions and to provide documentation to tribes on specific activities and functions determined to be inherently federal. (Recommendation 2)
Agency: Department of the Interior: Bureau of Indian Affairs Status: Open
Comments: Interior agreed with this recommendation. When we obtain additional information from BIA, we will update the status of this recommendation.
Recommendation: The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs should establish a process to track and monitor the disbursement of funds associated with self-determination contracts and self-governance compacts. (Recommendation 3)
Agency: Department of the Interior: Bureau of Indian Affairs Status: Open
Comments: Interior agreed with this recommendation and is developing documentation on the process for the disbursement of funds. Once the agency provides additional information regarding its efforts to implement the recommendation, we will evaluate the status of it.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Administrator of RUS to undertake an assessment to identify any regulatory barriers that may unduly impede efforts by tribes to obtain RUS federal grant funds for broadband deployment on tribal lands and implement any steps necessary to address the identified barriers. (Recommendation 1)
Agency: Department of Agriculture Status: Open
Comments: In April 2020, RUS officials told us that they were documenting their tribal outreach efforts and the feedback collected on tribal needs related to the RUS broadband programs, and that they would provide this information to us when it is complete. Once we receive and review this information, we will update the status of this recommendation.
