Certain federal contracts that go to large businesses must have small business subcontracting plans. Under these plans, contractors have to make a good-faith effort to offer subcontracting opportunities to small businesses. Agencies are supposed to notify Small Business Administration representatives about proposed contracts with these plans for possible review. But for about half of the 26 contr...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on fiscal year (FY) 1995 expenditures made by the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology associated with external and internal public affairs activities. GAO noted that: (1) the four agencies spent a tot...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the federal research and development (R&D) laboratories operated by federal agencies and contractors. GAO found that: (1) 515 federal R&D laboratories spent a total of $26.6 billion out of an estimated $69.4 billion obligated for R&D in fiscal year (FY) 1995; (2) each laboratory has a specific mission or R&D program designed to suppo...

GAO discussed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) development strategy for the Earth Observing System Data Information System (EOSDIS). GAO noted that: (1) NASA has taken positive steps towards addressing the National Research Council's concerns about EOSDIS; (2) NASA has revamped the system's technical architecture to make it more flexible and accommodating to users' needs...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the relocation of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)/Norfolk detachment from Norfolk, Virginia, to Newport, Rhode Island, focusing on whether the detachment's leasing of a new facility in Suffolk, Virginia, was in the best interest of U.S. taxpayers.GAO found that: (1) construction of the Suffolk facility began in March 1992 and was completed...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the status of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Program. GAO noted that: (1) the need for the advanced motor has diminished since the development program was first approved in 1988; (2) NASA had no actual flight experience with the advanced motors when the program was approved; (3)...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the National Weather Service's (NWS) modernization and restructuring program for four major automated systems, including cost growth and schedule delays.GAO found that: (1) the Next Generation Weather Radar's (NEXRAD) project cost estimate increased over $1.1 billion, from the original 1980 estimate of $340 million to approximately $...

In response to a congressional request, GAO conducted an investigation into the reasons why the United States does not have a satellite to replace a weather satellite that failed. In addition, it reviewed National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) policies, plans, and procurement procedures concerning the weather satellite program.GAO found that NOAA and the National Aeronautics and Sp...

Pursuant to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the President's second special message for fiscal year 1983 was transmitted to Congress on December 7, 1982.The President proposed thirteen deferrals totaling $1,569,870,000 and revisions to three previously reported deferrals which increased the amounts deferred by $1,173,257,000. GAO had some comments regarding deferred fu...

Data about the financial status of major acquisitions of the U.S. Government, including acquisitions financed solely with Federal funds and those financed jointly with Federal, State, and other funds was incorporated into a report. Departments and agencies responsible for major acquisitions sent financial data on their projects and systems. The accuracy and completeness of the data in this report...