GAO Releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as defense acquisitions, the IRS, and natural resources management. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports

• Defense Acquisitions: 2009 Is a Critical Juncture for the Army's Future Combat System. GAO-08-408, March 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-408
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08408high.pdf
• Defense Acquisitions: Significant Challenges Ahead in Developing and Demonstrating Future Combat System's Network and Software. GAO-08-409, March 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-409
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08409high.pdf
• Defense Contracting: Additional Personal Conflict of Interest Safeguards Needed for Certain DOD Contractor Employees. GAO-08-169, March 7.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-169
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08169high.pdf
• Defense Management: Overarching Organizational Framework Needed to Guide and Oversee Energy Reduction Efforts for Military Operations. GAO-08-426, March 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-426
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08426high.pdf
• Environmental Protection: EPA Needs to Ensure That Best Practices and Procedures Are Followed When Making Further Changes to Its Library Network. GAO-08-304, February 29.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-304
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08304high.pdf
• Internal Revenue Service: Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request and Interim Performance Results of IRS's 2008 Tax Filing Season. GAO-08-567, March 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-567
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08567high.pdf
• Joint Strike Fighter: Recent Decisions by DOD Add to Program Risks. GAO-08-388, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-388
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08388high.pdf
• Natural Resource Management: Opportunities Exist to Enhance Federal Participation in Collaborative Efforts to Reduce Conflicts and Improve Natural Resource Conditions. GAO-08-262, February 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-262
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08262high.pdf
• Telecommunications: FCC Has Made Some Progress in the Management of Its Enforcement Program but Faces Limitations, and Additional Actions Are Needed. GAO-08-125, February 15.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-125
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08125high.pdf
• Traffic Safety: Grants Generally Address Key Safety Issues, Despite State Eligibility and Management Difficulties. GAO-08-398, March 14.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-398
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08398high.pdf

Testimony

• Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of March 12, 2008, by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-545T, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-545T
• Defense Management: DOD Needs to Reexamine Its Extensive Reliance on Contractors and Continue to Improve Management and Oversight, by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Subcommittee on Readiness, House Committee on Armed Services GAO-08-572T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-572T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08572thigh.pdf
• Defense Management: Overarching Organizational Framework Could Improve DOD's Management of Energy Reduction Efforts for Military Operations, by William M. Solis, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Readiness, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-523T, March 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-523T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08523thigh.pdf
• Environmental Protection: EPA Needs to Follow Best Practices and Procedures When Reorganizing Its Library Network, by John B. Stephenson, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, House Committee on Science and Technology. GAO-08-579T, March 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-579T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08579thigh.pdf
• "The Government Accountability Office (GAO) Act of 2007" (H.R. 3268), and Other GAO Reforms, by Shirley A. Jones, Esq., Employee Advisory Council (EAC) attorneys representative, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-587T, March 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-587T
• Hardrock Mining: Information on Abandoned Mines and Value and Coverage of Financial Assurances on BLM Land, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. GAO-08-574T, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-574T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08574thigh.pdf
• Homeland Security: DHS Improved its Risk-Based Grant Programs' Allocation and Management Methods, But Measuring Programs' Impact on National Capabilities Remains a Challenge, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice issues, before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-488T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-488T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08488thigh.pdf
• Information Security: Progress Reported, but Weaknesses at Federal Agencies Persist, by Gregory C. Wilshusen, director, information security issues, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-08-571T, March 12.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-571T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08571thigh.pdf
• Joint Strike Fighter: Impact of Recent Decisions on Program Risks, by Michael J. Sullivan, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittees on Air and Land Forces, and Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-569T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-569T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08569thigh.pdf
• Mineral Revenues: Data Management Problems and Reliance on Self-Reported Data for Compliance Efforts Put MMS Royalty Collections at Risk, by Franklin W. Rusco, acting director, natural resources and environment, and Jeanette M. Franzel, director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, House Committee on Natural Resources. GAO-08-560T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-560T
• Presidential Signing Statements: Agency Implementation of Selected Provisions of Law, by Gary L. Kepplinger, general counsel, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-08-553T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-553T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08553thigh.pdf
• Privacy: Government Use of Data from Information Resellers Could Include Better Protections, by Linda D. Koontz, director, information management issues, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-543T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-543T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08543thigh.pdf
• Stabilizing and Rebuilding Iraq: Actions Needed to Address Inadequate Accountability over U.S. Efforts and Investments, by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Senate Committee on Appropriations. GAO-08-568T, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-568T
  Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08568thigh.pdf
• U.S. Government Accountability Office: Human Capital Initiatives and Additional Legislative Authorities, by Gene L. Dodaro, acting comptroller general, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-08-573T, March 13.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-573T

Correspondence

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Changes in Obligations and Activities before and after Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Reorganization. GAO-08-328R, February 25.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-328R
• September 11: Fiscal Year 2008 Cost Estimation Process for World Trade Center Health Programs. GAO-08-537R, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-537R
  
• Status of Selected Aspects of the Coast Guard's Deepwater Program. GAO-08-270R, March 11.
  http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-270R

Presentations by the Comptroller General

• "Making Tough Budget Choices to Create a Better Future," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, in Washington, D.C. GAO-08-604CG, March 12, 2008
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08604cg.pdf
• "Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, on the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour at the Haas School of Business, the University of California, Berkeley. GAO-08-583CG, March 5, 2008
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08583cg.pdf
• "Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, on the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour at the Maddy Institute, California State University, Fresno. GAO-08-584CG, March 6, 2008
  http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d08584cg.pdf