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This report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examines the challenges faced by U.S. businesses when competing for contracts awarded by World Bank borrowers. The report found that borrowers often prioritize the lowest cost when evaluating proposals, which raises concerns about the consideration of quality. Businesses also raised concerns about the World Bank's oversight of procurement and implementation, as well as transparency and integrity issues. The GAO recommends that the Treasury develop formal processes for monitoring World Bank borrower projects. The report discusses the World Bank's procurement process, the involvement of U.S. businesses and government agencies, and the need for improved guidance and processes for monitoring projects and supporting U.S. businesses. [Extracted from the article]

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses contracted disability examinations to determine veterans' eligibility for compensation. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommends that the VA improve its procedures for reviewing contractors' quality action plans to ensure that corrective actions are completed and exam quality is improved. Stakeholders have identified challenges with the VA's oversight, such as implementing changes within short timeframes. The VA aims to improve the quality of information collected during exams but lacks key details in its procedures. Contractors report positive working relationships with the VA but would like additional training for claims processors. The top reason for remands in fiscal year 2023 is inadequate medical exams and opinions. The paper provides recommendations to address this issue, including requiring experienced claims processors to request medical opinions and providing training on considering lay statements and evidence. The paper also highlights the need for improved oversight of contractors performing disability exams for the VA. The VA generally concurs with the recommendation to improve procedures for reviewing contractors' quality action plans. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a summary of various recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding tax administration and taxpayer service. The recommendations cover a range of areas including modernizing information systems, improving tax filing processes, enhancing taxpayer services, and strengthening tax enforcement. The IRS has agreed with some recommendations, partially agreed with others, and disagreed with a few. The GAO emphasizes the importance of implementing these recommendations to improve IRS operations, increase compliance, and reduce fraud. [Extracted from the article]

The article centers on the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) activities during the 2023 tax filing season, emphasizing advancements in processing returns and a decreased backlog. Topics encompass the IRS's achievements in meeting processing time targets, persistent challenges in correspondence services, and the agency's strategies and outcomes related to hiring during the filing season.

The GAO Reports document discusses grants management reforms implemented by other countries to address challenges similar to those faced in the United States. Examples include the UK establishing a central department for grants policy and Australia setting up grants shared service centers to streamline grants management and improve efficiency. The document also highlights practices such as principles-based guidance, central departments for grants policy, and automated due diligence screeners to address challenges in grants management. Additionally, it evaluates progress in creating grant reporting data standards and emphasizes the need for USAID to strengthen risk management in conflict zones. [Extracted from the article]

The GAO report on the SEC's financial statements for fiscal years 2024 and 2023 confirms their accuracy and effectiveness of internal controls. The SEC's activities in FY 2024 included enforcement actions, examinations, and audit recommendations, surpassing many targets. The SEC's financial statements adhere to GAAP and the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, reflecting its custodial activity, use of estimates, imputed financing, and lease accounting. The SEC's role in overseeing securities laws is crucial for the country's economic success and global position. [Extracted from the article]

The document from the GAO reports on the Coast Guard's assessment of risks and challenges in the Arctic region. It highlights the Coast Guard's efforts to mitigate risks, including collaborating with the Department of Defense and developing strategic plans. However, the implementation plan lacks key metrics, and there are challenges due to asset availability issues and infrastructure limitations. The document also discusses the Coast Guard's plans to acquire new polar icebreakers to enhance capabilities in the region, but there are delays and cost increases in the Polar Security Cutter program. The Coast Guard faces limitations in meeting its strategic commitments in the Arctic region due to operational challenges and infrastructure issues. [Extracted from the article]

The GAO report examines the management of climate risks at hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) in the United States. It highlights the lack of available data on climate-related hazards for TSDFs and the challenges faced by EPA, authorized states, and facilities in managing climate risks. The report recommends that EPA take additional actions to address climate risks at TSDFs, provide guidance and training on managing climate risks, and help states and facilities access financial resources for climate adaptation projects. The GAO emphasizes the importance of integrating climate adaptation into EPA programs and policies to increase resilience to climate change impacts. [Extracted from the article]

The document titled "APPENDICES" from the GAO Reports provides a glossary of acronyms commonly used in financial statements and tables, as well as information on awards and acknowledgments received by the IRS for its FY 2023 Agency Financial Report. The IRS was recognized for its excellence in financial management and performance accountability reporting, receiving the Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting and a Best-In-Class award. The document also includes contact information for connecting with the IRS and obtaining copies of IRS documents, as well as the IRS's mission, values, and taxpayer bill of rights. [Extracted from the article]

The document summarizes the IRS's financial statement audit for FY 2024, highlighting an unmodified audit opinion with no material weaknesses. It discusses the tax burden for individuals and corporations, estimates of the tax gap and tax expenditures, and management challenges identified by TIGTA for FY 2025. The IRS has made progress in addressing challenges such as tax compliance, fraud prevention, and protecting taxpayer data. It also details payments made for refundable tax credits, outlays, interest on tax refunds, and various tax credits and bonds in FY 2024. Additionally, the document explains the funding of Social Security and Medicare benefits through taxes collected by the IRS in FY 2024. [Extracted from the article]

The document provides a comprehensive overview of the IRS, detailing its history, structure, mission, and key statistics for FY 2024. It emphasizes the IRS's commitment to improving taxpayer services, enforcement, and technology utilization. The agency is focused on workforce development, diversity, and addressing disparities in tax audits. Efforts to enhance internal controls, risk management, security, and facilities have been successful, with a focus on digital transformation and fairness in enforcement. The IRS is working towards sustaining transformation efforts through stable funding and continued investments in technology and employee training. [Extracted from the article]

The 2024 Agency Financial Report by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the fiscal year 2024 highlights the IRS's financial status, accomplishments, and challenges in fulfilling its mission. The report includes sections on management's analysis, financial information, and other relevant information such as tax burden, compliance efforts, and tax scams. The IRS focuses on improving taxpayer service, compliance efforts, digitalization, and protecting taxpayers from scams and fraud. The report also emphasizes the importance of investing in the IRS workforce and maintaining financial stewardship. [Extracted from the article]

The GAO report on the Bureau of the Fiscal Service's FY 2024 and FY 2023 Schedules of Federal Debt found that the schedules were fairly presented and that effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained. Total federal debt managed by the Fiscal Service has increased from $17.8 trillion to $35.5 trillion over the past 10 years. The report highlights that the federal government is on an unsustainable fiscal path due to increasing deficits and rising debt held by the public. The report recommends that Congress develop a plan to address the long-term fiscal challenges. [Extracted from the article]

The GAO report underscores the importance of the Department of the Interior and the Department of the Treasury enhancing their oversight of COVID-19 relief funds allocated to tribal entities. While Interior has established procedures to monitor single audit reports from tribal recipients, Treasury lacks similar processes. Tribal-serving organizations have acknowledged improvements in assistance from both agencies during the pandemic but suggest further enhancements to meet unique tribal needs. The report stresses the significance of single audit reports for tribal financial management and compliance, as they can impact eligibility for self-governance compacts under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Interior has effective procedures for reviewing single audit findings and issuing timely management decisions, while Treasury needs to improve in this area. Both agencies offer support to tribal entities in navigating the single audit process, addressing findings, and preventing future audit deficiencies. The report includes recommendations for Interior and Treasury to enhance their oversight of federal awards and single audit processes. [Extracted from the article]

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) report discusses the $614 million in lump sum catch-up payments owed to 2,081 eligible victims of the 1983 Beirut barracks and 1996 Khobar Towers bombings. However, 274 claimants missed the application deadline and may not receive payments without Congressional action. The Department of Justice's guidance may have deterred some eligible victims from applying, prompting a recommendation to amend the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act. The GAO's methodology for calculating catch-up payments differs from the Fund's, leading to concerns from the DOJ about offsets and claimant inclusion. The report provides contact information for GAO staff and emphasizes the organization's role in supporting Congressional oversight and improving federal government performance. [Extracted from the article]

The GAO report examines the Coast Guard's training and assessment practices, particularly focusing on the Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM). While FORCECOM follows federal training best practices, it lacks in evaluating training effectiveness and measures. The report suggests enhancing data accuracy, evaluating course feedback, and creating a plan for a data dashboard. FORCECOM has updated training for new mission demands like cybersecurity and international boarding activities, collaborating with the U.S. Navy for foundational training. They also ensure training requirements are included in new asset contracts and oversee assessment programs to evaluate unit compliance with policies. [Extracted from the article]

The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate oversees research and development activities, including Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). S&T coordinates with DHS components to review FFRDC projects for potential overlap, but not all projects funded by DHS components may be included in this process. Recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) include amending policies to require overlap reviews and analyzing bias risks due to low survey response rates. DHS concurred with all eight GAO recommendations and outlined actions to address them, such as updating R&D activity lists and documenting user feedback survey results. The GAO document provides information on obtaining GAO reports for free, connecting with GAO through social media, and reporting fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. [Extracted from the article]

The GAO report discusses the Department of Defense's lack of comprehensive assessments on housing supply and affordability challenges for service members, emphasizing the reliance on the private sector for housing without routine evaluations of negative impacts on service members. Recommendations include developing a list of critical housing areas, obtaining feedback from service members, and updating guidance on coordinating with local communities. The report also analyzes data on critical housing areas, compensation mechanisms for service members, and coordination with local communities, highlighting the need for improved oversight and coordination to address housing challenges faced by service members and local communities. The GAO is a congressional agency that provides reports and recommendations to support informed decision-making by Congress, promoting accountability and reliability in the federal government. [Extracted from the article]

The GAO report examines background check requirements for ridesourcing and taxi drivers in the U.S., noting that 45 states and D.C. mandate checks for ridesourcing drivers, while 11 states do so for taxi drivers. Safety features and concerns raised by advocacy groups are discussed, along with safety efforts by states, localities, and companies. The report emphasizes the importance of safety features like pretrip in-app tools and in-vehicle features, as well as educational programs to promote safety in the industry. A survey conducted in 2023 found that most respondents used ridesourcing services more than taxis and valued safety features like driver ratings and identification. The report provides valuable insights into the safety measures and awareness levels in the ridesourcing and taxi industry, offering a comprehensive overview for further research. [Extracted from the article]

The Department of Education offers relief to student loan borrowers through borrower defense to repayment in cases of college misconduct. As of April 30, 2024, $17.2 billion in federal student loans were discharged for nearly a million borrowers. Relief is determined through individual adjudication or group discharges, with seven colleges receiving full relief for all affected borrowers. Education has updated its process to prioritize full relief, considering evidence provided by colleges and implementing a group discharge process for widespread misconduct cases, including oversight by a quality control team. The Sweet settlement agreement has also impacted the borrower defense process, providing automatic relief or a streamlined review process for class members. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Government Accountability Office's report on Artificial Intelligence: Generative AI Training, Development, and Deployment Considerations highlights the rise of generative AI technology, which can create text, images, audio, or video content. Commercial developers have created various generative AI models that are widely used, but concerns have been raised about trust, safety, and privacy issues. The report discusses common practices used by developers to ensure responsible development and deployment of generative AI technologies, as well as limitations and risks associated with these technologies, such as data poisoning and prompt injection attacks. The document also addresses the types of data collected for training generative AI models and the safeguards used to protect sensitive information. [Extracted from the article]

The GAO report discusses the challenges faced by NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program in meeting the schedule for upcoming Artemis missions. EGS is working on upgrading facilities and software for Artemis II and III, but concerns about schedule risks remain. The report emphasizes the importance of conducting a Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA) for the EGS program and Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) project to ensure readiness for the Artemis IV launch. NASA's response to the recommendation is also included in the document. [Extracted from the article]

The GAO report examines federal workforce trends in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories from 2018 to 2023, revealing challenges such as high living costs and limited career growth opportunities. Recommendations include evaluating recruitment strategies and ensuring access to training. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing workforce challenges to better serve diverse geographic areas. Federal agencies in noncontiguous U.S. locations face obstacles in recruiting and retaining employees due to socioeconomic, administrative, and geographic factors, despite efforts to offer incentives and training opportunities. [Extracted from the article]

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a report on the Department of Defense's (DOD) financial management workforce planning. The report found that DOD's workforce planning policies and practices were generally consistent with three out of five key principles for strategic workforce planning. However, DOD was only partially consistent with principles related to determining critical skills and developing strategies to address skill gaps. The report also highlighted the challenge of identifying the functions performed by financial management contractor staff. The GAO made two recommendations to DOD, including developing a strategy to identify contractor functions and implementing documented succession plans. The document discusses the workforce planning challenges faced by the Department of Defense (DOD) in its financial management. The DOD has been working towards obtaining a clean audit opinion on its financial statements for over 30 years and estimates that it will not achieve this until the end of the current decade. The document highlights previous reports that have identified deficiencies in DOD's financial management workforce, including issues with training, oversight, and personnel management. The DOD's workforce planning policies are generally consistent with key principles, but there are areas where improvements are needed, such as including contractors in the needs assessment process. The Department of Defense (DOD) has developed various strategies for hiring and training its financial management workforce. However, it lacks documented succession policies and plans, which increases the risk of being unable to fill expected gaps in positions. DOD is generally consistent with key principles for strategic workforce planning, such as [Extracted from the article]

The given text is a report from the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding the Electronic Consent Based Social Security Number Verification Service (eCBSV). The report highlights concerns about cost estimation, user fees, communication, and industry participation. It suggests that the SSA should update cost estimation guidance, provide detailed information on user fees, solicit stakeholder input on fee changes, develop strategies for expanding the service's use, and establish performance measures and goals. The SSA has agreed with all recommendations and will evaluate its policies and processes accordingly. Additionally, the text includes an assessment of the SSA's guidance on cost estimation for IT investments, which found that the guidance partially or minimally met most of the identified steps and best practices. [Extracted from the article]

According to a report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), approximately 138,000 older adults experienced homelessness on a single night in 2023. These individuals face unique challenges in finding affordable and accessible housing, as well as addressing their health needs. Homelessness service providers and stakeholders highlighted the difficulties in finding accessible housing and connecting older adults to necessary health services. Additionally, certain racial, ethnic, or cultural groups may encounter additional barriers when accessing homelessness assistance programs. While some agencies have taken steps to address the needs of older adults experiencing homelessness, there is room for improvement in collaboration efforts to ensure the achievement of goals. The GAO recommends that the Department of Health and Human Services clearly define outcomes and collect performance information to assess progress. [Extracted from the article]

The text is a report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) that examines worker safety and health in e-commerce warehouses and last-mile delivery. It highlights the need for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to improve its identification and addressing of ergonomic hazards in these industries. The report recommends that OSHA enhance its injury data, training, and guidance on ergonomic hazards, as well as evaluate its inspection program. It also discusses the challenges faced by OSHA in citing ergonomic hazards and the impact of technology on worker safety. OSHA plans to review its existing guidance and update it as necessary. [Extracted from the article]

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has been criticized for not addressing certain radiological security risks, while other agencies like the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) consider socioeconomic consequences in their risk assessments. The NRC's regulations have left radioactive materials vulnerable, and the report recommends that Congress direct the NRC to incorporate socioeconomic consequences into its decision-making and regulations. The NRC, NNSA, CWMD, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) all play important roles in preventing radioactive materials from falling out of regulatory control or being smuggled into the country. The agencies collaborate to protect against the risk of dirty bombs. [Extracted from the article]

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a study on the support and care provided to pregnant women in state prisons and local jails. The study found that comprehensive national data on incarcerated pregnant women is lacking, with limited data available from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). However, DOJ is currently working on collecting more data through a voluntary survey. HHS and DOJ grant programs can be used to support maternal health care in these facilities, but there are challenges in providing care, such as coordinating transportation for medical appointments. The study also identified opportunities to enhance care, such as expanding program offerings. [Extracted from the article]

The given document is a report from the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) titled "DIGITAL EXPERIENCE: Agency Compliance with Statutory Requirements." The report focuses on the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (21st Century IDEA), which required federal websites and digital services to meet certain modernization requirements. The report found that the 24 Chief Financial Officers Act agencies did not consistently address these requirements in their reports, with some agencies not addressing any requirements. The lack of reporting guidance and inconsistent interpretation of compliance contributed to the inconsistent reporting. The Office of Management and Budget issued guidance in September 2023 to clarify compliance, and continued oversight is recommended to assess progress in delivering better digital services to the public. [Extracted from the article]

The article present the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the 2022 tax filing. It further discusses that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) prioritized processing its backlog of tax returns; IRS improve paper processing by digitizing more paper returns and addressing barriers to e-filing; and providing customer service to taxpayers and hiring staff to support filing season operations. Also mentions about long-term funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

For over 125 years, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), within the Department of the Treasury, has relied on a single contractor to supply the paper for U.S. currency. Such a long-term contracting relationship could contribute to higher costs and other risks. Another federal agency that relied on a single contractor, the U.S. Mint, decided to obtain a second supplier for coin metal. In solicitations for currency paper contracts in 1999 and 2003, BEP took steps to address barriers to competition that GAO had identified in 1998 through a survey of paper manufacturers. This report updates GAO's 1998 report using data from a second survey. It addresses (1) the changes BEP made to encourage competition and the results of its efforts, (2) the steps BEP took to ensure that it paid fair and reasonable prices, and (3) the analysis BEP has done of the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a second supplier. To encourage competition for the 1999 and 2003 contracts, BEP modified its solicitations to, among other things, indicate that it would provide bidders with the security thread that is inserted into most currency paper and extend the time for initial deliveries. For the 1999 contract, one additional supplier submitted an initial proposal but later withdrew it, and for the 2003 contract, only the current supplier submitted a proposal. This company remains the sole supplier of U.S. currency paper. According to paper manufacturers, several barriers to competition remain, including the high capital costs of and technological requirements for producing currency paper. BEP said it has not addressed these barriers because the requirements are either essential to preserve the security of currency paper or they are outside BEP's control (e.g., anticounterfeiting features are recommended by a federal committee). While some of the remaining barriers are outside BEP's control, BEP's outreach to paper manufacturers has been limited. For example, BEP does not meet regularly with them, as the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security meet with potential suppliers of their procurements, to identify additional steps that could be taken to encourage competition. To the extent that BEP has reached out to paper manufacturers, it has generally done so in conjunction with other BEP procurements. For the contracts awarded in 1999 and 2003, BEP took several steps, consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation's requirements, to determine that the prices it paid under these contracts were fair and reasonable. For the 1999 contract, it used price analysis (a comparison of two proposals) to determine that the two proposals it initially received were fair and reasonable. This analysis was sufficient because BEP had determined that adequate price competition existed. For the 2003 contract, BEP performed several cost analysis activities to ensure that the final agreed-to price was fair and reasonable, since the current supplier was the only company that submitted a proposal. For example, BEP obtained certified cost and pricing data from the current supplier, requested an audit review of the current supplier's price proposal, and established a technical analysis team to examine steps in the current supplier's manufacturing process that affect price. BEP also arranged for postaward audits of the current supplier. BEP has not analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a second supplier of currency paper since 1996. At that time, it concluded that the costs would outweigh the benefits, but it did not analyze the long-term effects. As a result, it does not know how a second supplier would affect the costs, quality, security, and supply of currency paper over time. Analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a second supplier would help BEP determine the need for one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report on small business research programs, specifically the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The report found that in fiscal year 2022, 40% of all SBIR/STTR program awards, totaling about $1.8 billion, were from open topics. Open topics allow small businesses to propose their own research needs and solutions, promoting competition and innovation. However, the report also identified a need for clearer guidance on how open and conventional topics should differ, as some Department of Defense (DOD) components' open topics were similar to their conventional topics. The GAO recommends that DOD revise its open topic guidance to address this issue. The report provides data on the participation and success rates of small businesses in the SBIR/STTR programs, as well as the timeliness of award notifications and commercialization progress. It also discusses the differences between open and conventional topics and suggests improvements in the guidance provided by DOD. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the status of open recommendations to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The report states that the DNI has implemented 63 out of 108 recommendations, with an implementation rate of 58%. The report also highlights areas where the DNI can improve its management of the intelligence enterprise, infrastructure, workforce, and personnel vetting. The report includes a list of open recommendations and the DNI's responses to them. The document provides an overview of open unclassified recommendations made by the GAO to the DNI from July 2011 to September 15, 2024, covering various topics such as personnel security clearances, continuous evaluation of clearance holders, planning and oversight of academic excellence programs, use of commercial satellite imagery, linking financing to domestic threats, and improving the transfer of personnel security clearances. The DNI's responses to these recommendations vary, with some recommendations being partially addressed or non-concurred. The GAO's mission is to support Congress in its oversight and decision-making processes and improve the performance and accountability of the federal government. [Extracted from the article]

This report examines the funding and contributions of the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to biomedical research and development (R&D) for drug development. DOD and VA dedicated approximately $20 billion and $10 billion respectively to biomedical R&D from 2019 to 2023. The report highlights issues with the disclosure of DOD support in patents and the late or incomplete reporting of clinical trial results funded by DOD and VA. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommends improvements in training and reporting for both departments. The report provides valuable insights into the funding and disclosure practices in biomedical research. [Extracted from the article]

The given text discusses the Department of Energy's (DOE) plans for addressing high-level waste (HLW) at the Hanford Site. The DOE plans to use a "direct-feed" approach to move the HLW from underground tanks to a facility where it will be mixed with molten glass and poured into stainless steel canisters for permanent disposal. The DOE estimates that about 3 million gallons of the waste currently in the tanks is HLW. The text also mentions alternative approaches to minimize the amount of waste treated as high-level radioactive waste and reduce costs. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) titled "Additional Actions Needed in Serving Veterans with Sleep Apnea." The report discusses the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) initiative to centralize the contracting and distribution of positive airway pressure (PAP) devices for veterans with sleep apnea. The report highlights the goals, changes, and challenges of the initiative, and emphasizes the need for the VA to establish metrics and objectives to monitor its performance. The report provides recommendations for the VA to develop these metrics and improve customer service. [Extracted from the article]

A report to Congressional Requesters emphasizes the need for Congressional action to enhance climate economics information and limit federal fiscal exposure to climate change. The report highlights the significant projected costs to the economy and the federal government as a result of climate change. It recommends the development of an organizational arrangement with five key elements to prioritize climate resilience investments and limit fiscal exposure. The report also discusses the role of various federal entities in coordinating climate resilience efforts and provides information on the economic costs and benefits of climate change. It concludes that further action and coordination are needed to address climate change risks and inform climate resilience investments. [Extracted from the article]

The text discusses the challenges and issues faced during the rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Technical problems and delays in completing the form have resulted in a decrease in FAFSA submissions, particularly among lower-income students. Efforts have been made to close the submission gap, but challenges remain in reaching and assisting students who encountered difficulties during the rollout. The simplified FAFSA form still presented challenges for many applicants, especially those who required input from a spouse or parent. The median completion time for dependent students with one contributor is about 5 days, while for dependent students with two contributors it is about 9.5 days. Mixed-status families face additional barriers in accessing and completing the FAFSA, including delays in identity verification and difficulties in inviting parents or spouses to contribute information. The call center for FAFSA support was understaffed and failed to meet the high demand, causing delays and dissatisfaction among applicants. Education did not provide timely updates on the status of applications or solutions to technical barriers, and translation services for languages other than English and Spanish were limited. The text emphasizes the need for clear and proactive communication from the Department of Education to address these challenges and improve the FAFSA process. The delays in providing colleges with functional tools and the lack of timely communication from the Education department resulted in colleges wasting time and resources in manually inputting corrections. This, in turn, may lead to delays in disbursing financial aid to students, potentially affecting their [Extracted from the article]

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a report on the financial management of the Department of Defense (DOD). The report states that DOD's financial statement audits have resulted in various financial and operational benefits, including cost savings, improved financial systems and data, and enhanced cybersecurity. However, the report also highlights that DOD's efforts to collect and identify outcomes from the audits are limited. The GAO recommends that DOD consider opportunities to collect and share additional information on the outcomes and lessons learned from the audits. The document provides information about the DOD's financial management and audit processes, including the roles and responsibilities of various entities involved. It discusses the efforts made by DOD to comply with legal requirements and improve its financial management and auditability. The document also highlights material weaknesses identified in the financial statement audits of DOD and the steps taken to address them. The DOD has made efforts to address issues with outdated financial management systems and has taken steps to modernize its financial and business systems, improve data quality, and mitigate cybersecurity risks. These efforts have resulted in benefits such as improved financial systems, enhanced visibility over assets, and more efficient processes. The DOD has also reported specific examples of cost savings and avoidances resulting from audit remediation efforts. However, the full extent of these outcomes has not been fully identified, and some benefits may be difficult to measure. The DOD has concurred with the GAO's recommendation to collect and share additional information on financial and [Extracted from the article]

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a report highlighting the urgent need for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modernize its aging air traffic control (ATC) systems. The report reveals that 37% of the FAA's 138 ATC systems are unsustainable, with an additional 39% potentially unsustainable. Of these systems, 29 are critical to the safety and efficiency of the national airspace. While the FAA has ongoing investments to modernize these systems, progress has been slow, with some systems not expected to be completed for 6 to 13 years. The GAO recommends that the FAA report to Congress on its efforts to mitigate risks, establish a time frame for implementing oversight of investments, and ensure consistent reviews of high-risk investments. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the implementation of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Cloud Smart Strategy by federal agencies. The report found that agencies had mixed results in setting policies and guidance to address key procurement requirements. While most agencies had established guidance related to modernization and improving policies for cloud services, many did not have guidance for service level agreements and continuous visibility in high value assets. The GAO recommends that the CIO Council collect and share examples of guidance on cloud service level agreements and contract language to help agencies meet OMB's requirements. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) efforts to address statutory requirements for IT portfolio management oversight. The results show that OMB is not fully meeting eight key requirements, including those related to IT portfolio reviews and high-risk IT investments. None of the agencies fully met the requirements for annual IT portfolio reviews, and some agencies did not follow the requirements for high-risk investment reviews. The article emphasizes the need for improved guidance, processes, and reporting in IT portfolio management and provides recommendations for OMB and the agencies to enhance their practices. The text also mentions the implementation of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) and highlights that OMB is not fully following eight FITARA requirements, including those related to IT portfolio reviews and high-risk IT investments. The preliminary analysis reveals that OMB is partially following most of the requirements for IT portfolio reviews but is not conducting the required annual reviews. The text further notes that OMB's guidance on IT portfolio management is outdated and lacks standardized metrics for cost savings and performance. Additionally, OMB has not been complying with FITARA requirements for high-risk IT investment reviews, including consulting with the Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) and reporting the results to Congress. OMB has also not denied funding requests for high-risk investments that have been rated as such for a year. Furthermore, agencies have not fully met FITARA requirements for IT portfolio management and high-risk IT investment reviews. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) plans to provide recommendations [Extracted from the article]

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a preliminary analysis of state laws and perspectives on holding special elections to fill House vacancies. The analysis found that nine states have laws that align with the federal law, which requires special elections to be held within 49 days of the Speaker of the House announcing more than 100 vacancies. However, many state election officials reported challenges in meeting the requirements, such as selecting candidates and preparing ballots. Despite these challenges, officials believe they can hold special elections in accordance with the federal law. The GAO's ongoing review aims to assess state capabilities to hold special elections in the event of mass House vacancies. [Extracted from the article]

The Older Americans Act provides grant programs to support older individuals and received significant funding in 2023. However, a recent evaluation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) have not designated entities to lead fraud risk management activities or assessed fraud risks in their programs. The GAO made 14 recommendations for ACL and ETA to improve fraud risk management. The article also highlights the importance of fraud risk management and the need for designated entities to oversee these activities in the Older Americans Act programs. Both ACL and ETA have agreed to implement the GAO's recommendations. [Extracted from the article]

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has provided significantly more funding for international infrastructure projects compared to the United States. BRI projects have been associated with economic benefits but also unsustainable debt for host countries. The US should improve its approach to international infrastructure projects by developing a national strategy, increasing risk tolerance to attract private sector investment, and enhancing capacity building in host countries. Experts suggest increasing the use of public financing options, expanding agency candidate pools, and improving interagency coordination to attract more private capital. The report presents policy options and agency modifications to improve US assistance for international infrastructure projects. [Extracted from the article]

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report highlighting the challenges faced by families with disabilities in accessing child care. The report states that 2.2 million children aged 5 and under and 3 million parents of children in this age group have reported disabilities. These families encounter barriers such as difficulties in finding information about child care programs that can accommodate children with disabilities, as well as facing exclusion and disparaging comments from staff and other parents. The report suggests that federal agencies can improve coordination and resource utilization to support these families in their search for appropriate child care. The document also provides an overview of the methodologies used in a performance audit conducted from May 2023 to September 2024, focusing on assessing the efforts of selected states to provide informational resources for child care accessibility. It outlines the roles of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education in administering federal early care and education programs and supporting children with disabilities. The report emphasizes the importance of inclusive early childhood programs and factors influencing parent decisions about their child's care. It presents data on the prevalence of children and parents with disabilities in the United States, including statistics showing that approximately 4 percent of Asian parents have a disability, which is statistically lower than the overall prevalence and the prevalence among White parents. The report also discusses the challenges faced by parents of children with disabilities in accessing and participating in child care programs, such as limited full-time programs, restrictive eligibility requirements, and difficulties with physical [Extracted from the article]