DOD Background Checks: GAO's 2025 Review and Recommendations

Alissa H. Czyz, director, Defense Capabilities and Management, Government Accountability Office, testified before the House Subcommittee on Government Operations to testify on our work on personnel vetting, specifically the Department of Defense's system for background investigations. We reviewed DOD's 2025 cost estimate and schedule for the system. While the cost estimate is reliable, we found DOD's schedule doesn't meet all best practices. For example, DOD hasn't yet completed a schedule risk analysis, which could help it prioritize addressing risks that would lead to delays. We recommended DOD implement this and other best practices for a reliable schedule.