[Memorandum for the Record: Navy Infrastructure Analysis Team, January 16, 2004] (open access)

[Memorandum for the Record: Navy Infrastructure Analysis Team, January 16, 2004]

Memorandum of Meeting at which Mr. H. T. Johnson, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Installations and Environment (ASN (I&E)), met with Mr. Chris Paul, Military Legislative Advisor to Senator John McCain (R. Ariz.), at 1315 in Room 4E523 at the Pentagon. Commander Edward W. Brown, USN, Legislative Liaison; Commander Fred Latrash, USN, Office of Senator John McCain (R. Ariz); Commander Robert E. Vincent 11, JAGC, USN, IAT Recorder; and Captain James A. Noel, USMC, IAT Recorder, were present as well.
Date: January 16, 2004
Creator: United States. Department of Defense.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Embassy Construction: Additional Actions Are Needed to Address Contractor Participation (open access)

Embassy Construction: Additional Actions Are Needed to Address Contractor Participation

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "To provide safe and secure workplaces for overseas posts, the Department of State (State) has built 64 new embassy compounds (NEC) and other facilities since 1999, has 31 ongoing projects, and plans to build at least 90 more. In 2007, State reported the U.S. contractor pool for building NECs had reached its limit and proposed legislation to amend the criteria to qualify for NEC awards. GAO was asked to examine (1) how contractor participation in the NEC program changed in recent years, (2) the degree to which State assessed the need for and potential outcomes of its proposed amendment, (3) factors contractors consider when deciding to participate in the program, and (4) actions State has taken to address reported declines in contractor participation. GAO examined two indicators of contractor participation; reviewed State documents and proposed legislation; and interviewed State officials and U.S. firms that won NEC awards from 2001-2007."
Date: January 16, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Vocational Rehabilitation: More VA and DOD Collaboration Needed to Expedite Services for Seriously Injured Servicemembers (open access)

Vocational Rehabilitation: More VA and DOD Collaboration Needed to Expedite Services for Seriously Injured Servicemembers

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "More than 10,000 U.S. military servicemembers, including National Guard and Reserve members, have been injured in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Those with serious injuries are likely to be discharged from the military and return to civilian life with disabilities. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) services to help these injured servicemembers in their transition to civilian employment. GAO has noted that early intervention--the provision of rehabilitation services as soon as possible after the onset of a disability--is a practice that significantly facilitates the return to work. GAO examined how VA expedites VR&E services to seriously injured servicemembers and the challenges VA faces in its efforts to do so."
Date: January 14, 2005
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
National Institutes of Health Extramural Research Grants: Oversight of Cost Reimbursements to Universities (open access)

National Institutes of Health Extramural Research Grants: Oversight of Cost Reimbursements to Universities

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation's leader in conducting and sponsoring biomedical research. More than 80 percent of NIH's budget, which totaled over $28 billion in fiscal year 2006, is used to support extramural research, which is primarily conducted at over 500 universities nationwide. NIH reimburses universities for direct costs that can be specifically attributed to research sponsored by NIH grants, including costs for labor and materials used solely to carry out the research. It also reimburses universities for indirect costs, which include various facility and administrative expenses incurred by the universities for the shared support of such research. To be reimbursed for direct and indirect costs, universities must properly identify and claim them in accordance with federal guidance. Because indirect costs cannot be specifically attributed to a particular research grant, they are charged via an indirect cost rate that is applied to the direct costs for each grant agreement. The oversight responsibilities of NIH's institutes and centers (IC) include the financial management of grants as well as ensuring that grantees comply with the terms of the grants. …
Date: January 31, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Humane Methods of Slaughter Act: USDA Has Addressed Some Problems but Still Faces Enforcement Challenges (open access)

Humane Methods of Slaughter Act: USDA Has Addressed Some Problems but Still Faces Enforcement Challenges

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "In 1978, the Congress passed the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act to ensure that cattle, sheep, hogs, and other animals destined for human consumption are handled and slaughtered humanely. Within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for enforcing the act. Recently, the Congress took additional actions to improve FSIS enforcement. GAO reviewed (1) the frequency and scope of humane handling and slaughter violations, (2) actions to enforce compliance, and (3) the adequacy of existing resources to enforce the act."
Date: January 30, 2004
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federally Chartered Corporation: Financial Statement Audit Report for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., for Fiscal Year 2005 (open access)

Federally Chartered Corporation: Financial Statement Audit Report for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., for Fiscal Year 2005

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "GAO reviewed the audit reports covering the financial statements of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., for fiscal year 2005. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance. The audit reports included the auditors' opinions that the financial statements of the corporation were presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles."
Date: January 26, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Environmental Protection: Information on the Purchase, Use, and Disposal of Engine Lubricating Oil (open access)

Environmental Protection: Information on the Purchase, Use, and Disposal of Engine Lubricating Oil

A briefing report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Concerned with the time, money, and resources that the federal government expends servicing its vehicle and engine fleet, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works asked GAO to compile information on the government's use of engine lubricating oil. GAO was asked to determine: (1) how much engine lubricating oil the federal government bought in fiscal years 1999, 2000, and 2001; (2) what costs are incurred for the disposal and recycling of engine lubricating oil; (3) what costs are incurred for changing motor oil in military and civilian fleets; (4) what logistical implications exist for the transport of engine lubricating oil during recent military operations; and (5) what options exist for reducing purchase, maintenance, and disposal costs for engine lubricating oil. To conduct its study, GAO focused on three agencies that account for 79 percent of all non-tactical vehicles owned or leased by the U.S. government: the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the General Services Administration (GSA). It compiled information only on engine lubricating oil used in ground vehicles and equipment and not in aircraft and ships."
Date: January 2, 2003
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Response to a post hearing question related to GAO's December 6, 2006 testimony on continued findings of fraud, waste, and abuse associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief efforts (open access)

Response to a post hearing question related to GAO's December 6, 2006 testimony on continued findings of fraud, waste, and abuse associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief efforts

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "On December 6, 2006, GAO testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on the results of our audit and investigation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita disaster relief efforts. This letter provides our response to Congress's supplemental question for the record. The testimony indicated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) distributed $20 million under the Individuals and Household Program to individuals who claimed damages for both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Congress asked whether it was our conclusion that the entire $20 million was paid improperly or was the $20 million the amount that potentially was paid improperly. Congress also asked whether we investigated each payment comprising the total $20 million."
Date: January 12, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
VA Health Care: Long-Term Care Strategic Planning and Budgeting Need Improvement (open access)

VA Health Care: Long-Term Care Strategic Planning and Budgeting Need Improvement

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In fiscal year 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spent about $4.1 billion on long-term care for veterans. VA provides--through VA or other providers--institutional care in nursing homes and noninstitutional care in veterans' homes or the community. In response to a statute, VA published in 2007 a long-term care strategic plan through fiscal year 2013. VA includes long-term care spending estimates in its annual budget justifications for Congress. These estimates are based on workload projections--the amount of care to be provided--and cost assumptions. VA has discretion in allocating appropriated funds among its medical services, such as long-term care. GAO examined (1) VA's reporting of planned workload in its 2007 long-term care strategic plan and (2) VA's long-term care spending estimates, including its cost assumptions and workload projections, in VA's fiscal year 2009 budget justification. GAO analyzed budget and planning documents and interviewed VA officials."
Date: January 23, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Debt Management: Treasury's Cash Management Challenges and Timing of Payments to Medicare Private Plans (open access)

Debt Management: Treasury's Cash Management Challenges and Timing of Payments to Medicare Private Plans

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "A timing difference between cash in- and outflows poses challenges for the Department of the Treasury. Increased volatility of monthly cash flows may lead to unexpected short-term debt issuance and hence increased borrowing. While Social Security payments made at the start of the month will diminish gradually in coming years, start-of month payments to Medicare plan sponsors for Medicare Advantage and Part D benefits are projected to grow. As requested, this report (1) describes how Treasury, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and plan sponsors operate under the current payment schedule; (2) identifies timing options; and (3) describes potential implications for Treasury, CMS, and Medicare. GAO analyzed Treasury cash flows, and interviewed Treasury, CMS officials, and plan sponsor representatives."
Date: January 30, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Telecommunications: Issues Related to the Structure and Funding of Public Television (open access)

Telecommunications: Issues Related to the Structure and Funding of Public Television

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "How to fund public television has been a concern since the first noncommercial educational station went on the air in 1953. The use of federal funds to help support public television has been a particular point of discussion and debate. This report reviews (1) the organizational structure of public television, (2) the programming and other services that public television provides, (3) the current funding sources for public television, (4) the extent to which public television stations are increasing their nonfederal funding sources and developing new sources of nonfederal support, and (5) the extent to which public television benefits financially from business ventures associated with programming and how this compares with commercial broadcasters. GAO reviewed revenue, membership, and programming data for all public television licensees. GAO also interviewed officials from 54 of public television's 173 licensees, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Public Broadcasting Service, federal agencies, and producers of commercial and public television programming"
Date: January 19, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Human Capital: Retirements and Anticipated New Reactor Applications Will Challenge NRC's Workforce (open access)

Human Capital: Retirements and Anticipated New Reactor Applications Will Challenge NRC's Workforce

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is responsible for licensing and inspecting the nation's nuclear power plants to ensure their safety and security. By 2010, about one third of NRC's workforce with mission-critical skills will be eligible to retire. At the same time, NRC's workforce needs to expand because NRC expects to receive at least 20 applications for 29 new nuclear power reactors beginning in October 2007. GAO assessed NRC's ability to meet its workforce needs by examining the extent to which NRC (1) has aligned its human capital planning framework with its strategic mission and programmatic goals; (2) is effectively recruiting, developing, and retaining critically skilled personnel; and (3) is addressing future uncertainties that could affect its overall workforce capacity. GAO examined strategic workforce planning and implementation documents, interviewed cognizant managers on NRC's human capital framework and activities, and surveyed these managers about NRC's human capital flexibilities and measures."
Date: January 17, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures: Federal Unemployment Taxes (open access)

Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures: Federal Unemployment Taxes

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "We evaluated fiscal year 2002 activity affecting distributions to the Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF)."
Date: January 23, 2003
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
OFPP Followup to Federal Supply Schedule Recommendations (open access)

OFPP Followup to Federal Supply Schedule Recommendations

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This report is to bring the Office of Federal Procurement Policy's attention to two GAO recommendations concerning the acquisition of information technology services under the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS). In GAO's view, implementation of these recommendations has been delayed because of unnecessary coupling with other FSS issues."
Date: January 31, 2003
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federally Chartered Corporation: Financial Statement Audit Reports for the Air Force Sergeants Association for Fiscal Years 2006 and 2005 (open access)

Federally Chartered Corporation: Financial Statement Audit Reports for the Air Force Sergeants Association for Fiscal Years 2006 and 2005

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "GAO reviewed the audit reports covering the financial statements of the Air Force Sergeants Association for fiscal years 2006 and 2005. GAO found no reportable instances of noncompliance. The audit reports include the auditor's opinions that the financial statements of the corporation were presented fairly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles."
Date: January 26, 2007
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Defense Budget: Army National Guard Operation and Maintenance Budget (open access)

Defense Budget: Army National Guard Operation and Maintenance Budget

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO identified the reasons for the Army National Guard's unfinanced Operation and Maintenance (O&M) requirements, focusing on the: (1) way the Guard prepares its O&M budget; (2) five Army models the Guard uses to generate most of its O&M requirements; and (3) improvements the Army and the Guard are making to correct problems in their use of the models."
Date: January 11, 2000
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Follow-up Information on the Operations of the Department of Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility (open access)

Follow-up Information on the Operations of the Department of Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "In response to concerns about the professionalism and conduct of some Department of Justice attorneys, as well as the process of holding them accountable to ethical standards, this report provides information on Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). GAO obtained information on the types of allegations OPR was able to substantiate against attorneys, the source of the allegations, the specific allegations, and OPR's recommendations for disciplinary actions. OPR generally placed its findings in the attorneys' official personnel folder, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity of misconduct. OPR said that although some attorneys under investigation retired or resigned from the Department, it was unable to determine whether they left because of the investigation. Those attorneys would deny that their departure was triggered by the investigation, and OPR officials said it would be difficult to establish a cause-an-effect relationship. OPR would, however, continue the investigation if other Justice employees were involved or if the allegations were serious. When OPR administratively closed a case because the issues were before the courts, it flagged these cases in its tracking system so that it could continue its investigations at a later …
Date: January 19, 2001
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Traumatic Brain Injury: Better DOD and VA Oversight Can Help Ensure More Accurate, Consistent, and Timely Decisions for the Traumatic Injury Insurance Program (open access)

Traumatic Brain Injury: Better DOD and VA Oversight Can Help Ensure More Accurate, Consistent, and Timely Decisions for the Traumatic Injury Insurance Program

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In 2005, Congress created a traumatic injury insurance benefit program, known as TSGLI, to help servicemembers with traumatic brain injury and other serious injuries with the financial burdens that they and their families face. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the program, in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DOD), while the branches of service are responsible for deciding servicemembers' claims. GAO examined (1) the TSGLI approval rate for traumatic brain injury claimants, and whether DOD and VA have assurance that claims are processed accurately, consistently, and in a timely manner and (2) any challenges servicemembers with traumatic brain injury may have faced in accessing TSGLI benefits, and the extent to which DOD and VA have taken steps to address such challenges. GAO analyzed program data and interviewed DOD and VA officials, servicemembers, and medical professionals."
Date: January 29, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
VA Student Financial Aid: Potential Effect of Providing Education Tax Benefit Eligibility to Students Receiving VA Assistance (open access)

VA Student Financial Aid: Potential Effect of Providing Education Tax Benefit Eligibility to Students Receiving VA Assistance

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the eligibility for education tax benefits for students receiving financial assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), focusing on: (1) the major differences between VA's process of approving courses of study and the Department of Education's process of certifying schools; and (2) the number of VA students and schools that could be affected by expanding eligibility for educational tax benefits to include schools that Education does not now certify."
Date: January 27, 2000
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Elementary and Secondary Education: Flexibility Initiatives Do Not Address Districts' Key Concerns About Federal Requirements (open access)

Elementary and Secondary Education: Flexibility Initiatives Do Not Address Districts' Key Concerns About Federal Requirements

A statement of record issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed its report on how federal requirements affect local school districts, focusing on: (1) the major federal requirements that affect school districts; (2) the issues school districts face in implementing these requirements; and (3) recent initiatives by Congress and the Department of Education to provide flexibility to school districts."
Date: January 25, 2000
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Financial Statement Restatement Database (open access)

Financial Statement Restatement Database

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This report is the release of the database of information collected during research for the report entitled Financial Statement Restatements: Trends, Market Impacts, Regulatory Responses, and Remaining Challenges."
Date: January 17, 2003
Creator: United States. General Accounting Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hazardous Waste Sites: Improved Effectiveness of Controls at Sites Could Better Protect the Public (open access)

Hazardous Waste Sites: Improved Effectiveness of Controls at Sites Could Better Protect the Public

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) programs were established to clean up hazardous waste sites. Because some sites cannot be cleaned up to allow unrestricted use, institutional controls--legal or administrative restrictions on land or resource use to protect against exposure to the residual contamination--are placed on them. GAO was asked to review the extent to which (1) institutional controls are used at Superfund and RCRA sites and (2) EPA ensures that these controls are implemented, monitored, and enforced. GAO also reviewed EPA's challenges in implementing control tracking systems. To address these issues, GAO examined the use, implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of controls at a sample of 268 sites."
Date: January 28, 2005
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Social Security Administration: Service Delivery Plan Needed to Address Baby Boom Retirement Challenges (open access)

Social Security Administration: Service Delivery Plan Needed to Address Baby Boom Retirement Challenges

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Millions of people rely on the services of Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices. In fiscal year 2008, SSA's approximately 1,300 field offices provided service to about 44 million customers. People visit field offices to apply for Social Security cards, apply for retirement and disability benefits, establish direct deposit, and a host of other services. Over the last several years, staffing reductions have challenged field offices' ability to manage work while continuing to deliver quality customer service. To better understand the challenges SSA faces in delivering quality customer service, GAO was asked to determine (1) the effect that staffing reductions are having on field office operations and (2) the challenges SSA faces in meeting service delivery needs in the future and the agency's plan for addressing them. In May 2008, GAO reported initial observations on the effects of reduced staff levels. To conduct this work, GAO interviewed SSA headquarters and field officials and analyzed various data on SSA's workloads and customer service."
Date: January 9, 2009
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Medicare Part D: Plan Sponsors' Processing and CMS Monitoring of Drug Coverage Requests Could Be Improved (open access)

Medicare Part D: Plan Sponsors' Processing and CMS Monitoring of Drug Coverage Requests Could Be Improved

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Under the Medicare Part D program, prescription drug coverage is provided through plans sponsored by private companies. Beneficiaries, their appointed representatives, or physicians can ask sponsors to cover prescriptions restricted under their plan--a process known as a coverage determination--and can appeal denials to the sponsor and the independent review entity (IRE). GAO was asked to review (1) the processes for sponsors' coverage determination decisions and the approval rates, (2) the processes for appealing coverage denials and the approval rates at the sponsor and IRE levels, and (3) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) efforts to inform the public about sponsors' performance and oversee sponsors' processes. GAO visited seven sponsors that account for over half of Part D enrollment. GAO also interviewed and obtained data from CMS and IRE officials."
Date: January 22, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library