GAO Reports
GAO Reports
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Veterans Employment: VA Should Address Human Capital Needs and Other Issues in High-Tech Training
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Veterans Employment: VA Should Address Human Capital Needs and Other Issues in High-Tech Training
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Highlights
What GAO Found
The Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides financial support to veterans enrolled in high-tech programs through eligible training providers. VA data show more than 20,300 veteran enrollments during the 5-year VET TEC pilot, which began in April 2019. VA reported ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Veterans Employment: VA Should Address Human Capital Needs and Other Issues in High-Tech Training * Highlights What GAO Found The Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides financial support to veterans enrolled in high-tech programs through eligible training providers. VA data show more than 20,300 veteran enrollments during the 5-year VET TEC pilot, which began in April 2019. VA reportedspending nearly $262 million on the program as of December 2024.
GAO found that the VET TEC pilot did not fully align with leading practices for pilot design (see figure). VA officials said the agency did not have sufficient staff to fully address these practices. While VA initially determined it had sufficient staff to meet the pilot objectives, it did not continually assess staff resources. Given that a new VET TEC is authorized through 2027, assessing its human capital needs would help VA assure the program has appropriate resources.
Alignment of the VET TEC Pilot Program with Leading Practices for Effective Pilot Design
VA oversaw training providers by evaluating their applications. It denied 165 of 221 applications, suspended five provider facilities, conducted two on-site reviews, and referred one instance of potential provider fraud to its Office of Inspector General. GAO's analysis of VA data indicated about $4 million in potential overpayments in tuition and fees to providers, or about 2 percent of payments. VA officials said that providers sometimes submitted information after an initial payment, such as when a veteran never began training, creating a potential overpayment. VA did not have written procedures applicable to the pilot to detect certain potential overpayments. Such procedures would enhance VA's internal controls for the VET TEC payment process.
Veterans reported multiple challenges with training providers, including recruiting, educational quality, and career placement services. However, VA did not explicitly collect or analyze ongoing feedback through the GI Bill School Feedback Tool, its primary feedback mechanism. Doing so would help VA obtain critical input and enable it to assess and inform its VET TEC implementation.
Why GAO Did This Study
The federal government helps veterans transition to the civilian workforce. The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (the "Forever GI Bill") instructed VA to carry out a 5-year pilot to train veterans for high-tech jobs. VA created VET TEC to support veterans who enrolled in high-tech courses through VA-approved training providers. In January 2025, legislation was enacted to establish a new program through September 2027.
The Forever GI Bill included a provision for GAO to assess VET TEC. GAO issued an initial report on VET TEC in October 2022. This report builds on GAO's prior work and examines (1) VET TEC's alignment with leading practices for effective pilot design, (2) VA's oversight of training providers, and (3) challenges reported by participants.
GAO compared VA's efforts to leading practices for effective pilot design and analyzed VA program data from April 1, 2019-August 19, 2024, the most recent available. GAO also analyzed 124 VET TEC comments submitted through the GI Bill Feedback Tool from July 2, 2019-January 5, 2024. GAO reviewed relevant VA documents, federal laws, and regulations and interviewed officials.
Recommendations
GAO is making four recommendations, including that VA assess its human capital needs to effectively implement VET TEC, address certain provider overpayments, and collect and analyze participant feedback. VA agreed with all but one of the recommendations.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should develop and implement a plan and related procedures for assessing the agency's current and future human capital needs to effectively implement the VET TEC program. This plan and related procedures could also assist the agency in administering future pilots, as applicable. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should develop and implement a written, systematic process to help prevent, identify, and recoup overpayments from VET TEC training providers, as appropriate. This could include documenting criteria aligned with the VET TEC milestone payment process to be applied before payments are made. In cases in which a payment has already been issued, such procedures could flag payments (1) for which the training provider subsequently submitted updated information and (2) that must be recovered from preferred providers because the veteran did not obtain meaningful employment. (Recommendation 2)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should clearly communicate that participants can use the GI Bill School Feedback Tool to provide ongoing feedback about the VET TEC program. For example, VA could modify the tool by (1) revising the introductory language to ensure veterans are aware the tool is not exclusive to schools or training providers eligible to receive GI Bill benefits, (2) adding language to clarify which program(s) a veteran is submitting feedback about, or (3) adding a check box for any non-GI Bill program and pilot programs, as well as check boxes for "other" or "unknown" programs. (Recommendation 3)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Veterans Affairs The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should develop and implement a plan to analyze ongoing feedback it receives from VET TEC participants, including feedback VA receives through the GI Bill School Feedback Tool, to inform program implementation. This analysis could be incorporated into any future evaluation of the program. (Recommendation 4)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-106876
National Nuclear Security Administration: Information on Implementation of Contractor Commuting Authority
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
National Nuclear Security Administration: Information on Implementation of Contractor Commuting Authority
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Fast Facts
The National Nuclear Security Administration relies on contractor employees to carry out its missions.
NNSA is now allowed to reimburse certain contractors for some transportation services for their employees--which may address employees' commuting issues like traffic safety and congestion at work sites.
This Q&A looks at how NNSA is putting this into action. Specifically, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * National Nuclear Security Administration: Information on Implementation of Contractor Commuting Authority * Fast Facts The National Nuclear Security Administration relies on contractor employees to carry out its missions. NNSA is now allowed to reimburse certain contractors for some transportation services for their employees--which may address employees' commuting issues like traffic safety and congestion at work sites. This Q&A looks at how NNSA is putting this into action. Specifically,NNSA is reviewing a contractor's plans to offer park-and-ride shuttles and public transit subsidies at a national laboratory. Officials shared concerns about potential challenges with measuring the benefits and having sufficient federal staff.
Traffic Congestion at Los Alamos National Laboratory, as of June 2025
A line of cars on a winding road next to a large cliff.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is taking steps to implement the legal authority it was granted in fiscal year 2025 to reimburse management and operating (M&O) contractors for certain transportation services for their employees. According to NNSA, the new contractor commuting authority will help address recruitment and retention challenges and improve transportation safety and congestion at NNSA's sites. Agency officials identified some potential challenges the agency faces in implementing the authority.
NNSA is reviewing a proposed transportation services plan for fiscal years 2025 to 2030 from the M&O contractor for Los Alamos National Laboratory, one of NNSA's eight sites that compose the nuclear security enterprise. As of July 2025, contractor representatives at NNSA's other seven sites said they did not plan to submit proposed transportation plans for the contractor commuting authority. The Los Alamos contractor estimates total costs of transportation services for its employees, such as park-and-ride shuttles and public transit subsidies, at about $74.4 million over the 6-year period.
Officials said NNSA plans to use its existing contractor and subcontractor oversight framework to oversee the services:
* The M&O contractor is expected to have primary oversight responsibility for these subcontracts. The transportation plan's proposed subcontract costs are not expected to meet the minimum threshold for NNSA to review the subcontract prior to award.
* NNSA plans to ensure program integrity by taking certain steps to monitor the contractor's reporting and performance, including reviewing the contractor's costs and benefits of the transportation services on a monthly basis, as well as its annual reporting
NNSA officials identified two challenges the agency could face in implementing the authority:
* assessing some of the intended benefits of proposed transportation services because of difficulties with obtaining quantifiable data on all benefits, and
* having sufficient capacity for oversight because of NNSA's longstanding human capital constraints.
Why GAO Did This Study
NNSA faces significant challenges with recruiting and retaining qualified staff, including contractor employees, particularly as its nuclear modernization workload increases. To carry out its work, NNSA relies on and oversees about 70,000 M&O contractor employees who execute NNSA's missions at its eight government-owned, contractor-operated sites.
NNSA's efforts to address these challenges include implementing its new legal authority to reimburse M&O contractors for transportation services for their employees. According to NNSA, this authority will also help address challenges related to transportation safety, traffic congestion, and worker productivity.
The Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 provides NNSA authority to reimburse contractors for approved transportation services after reviewing proposed plans that include certain required information.
Senate Report 118-188 accompanying a bill for the act includes a provision for GAO to review NNSA's implementation of the contractor commuting authority through fiscal year 2027 and provide an annual briefing to the relevant congressional committees. This first report discusses NNSA's actions to implement this authority and challenges the agency anticipates facing. To conduct this work, GAO reviewed relevant statutes, agency requirements and guidance, the Los Alamos M&O contractor's proposed transportation services plan, and prior GAO reports, among other documentation. GAO also interviewed NNSA officials and M&O contractor representatives.
Figure 1: Traffic Congestion Driving to Los Alamos National Laboratory, June 2025
Recommendations
GAO is not making any recommendations to NNSA. NNSA provided technical comments, which we incorporated as appropriate.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-108065
National Nuclear Security Administration: Agency Should Improve Cost Growth Notification Process
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
National Nuclear Security Administration: Agency Should Improve Cost Growth Notification Process
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Highlights
What GAO Found
Over the next 2 decades, the United States plans to spend tens of billions of dollars to modernize its nuclear weapons stockpile and the research and production infrastructure on which its stockpile programs depend. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is responsible for managing these efforts.
Since 2011, NNSA has been required by law to report ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * National Nuclear Security Administration: Agency Should Improve Cost Growth Notification Process * Highlights What GAO Found Over the next 2 decades, the United States plans to spend tens of billions of dollars to modernize its nuclear weapons stockpile and the research and production infrastructure on which its stockpile programs depend. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is responsible for managing these efforts. Since 2011, NNSA has been required by law to reporton cost baselines and cost growth for certain construction projects and nuclear weapons acquisition programs. For example, NNSA must notify congressional defense committees when construction projects initially set cost baselines that exceed $65 million, and again if costs are expected to exceed baselines by 25 percent or more. Within 90 days of submitting a cost growth notification, NNSA must also provide additional information, including an assessment of the root causes of the cost growth.
However, NNSA has not implemented effective processes to manage such notifications for construction projects, which has led to delays in notifications. GAO identified 14 NNSA construction projects that established a cost baseline that met the reporting criteria. All 14 provided notification of an initial baseline and seven are experiencing reportable cost growth. However, NNSA has not provided notifications in five of the seven instances. NNSA officials said that notifications were being prepared for some of the projects but has not provided them to congressional defense committees.
Officials also acknowledged that NNSA had not sent root cause assessments in most cases. The two assessments that NNSA provided did not address legally required elements, such as the extent to which unrealistic performance expectations or immature technologies played a role in cost growth.
Table: Status of Cost Growth Notifications for Ongoing National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Projects Costing over $65 Million, as of April 2025
Number of projects
Baseline notification letter sent
Experienced reportable cost growth
Provided cost growth notification
Provided recertification and new cost baseline
Provided assessment of root causes
14
14/14 (100%)
7/14 (50%)
2/7 a (29%)
2/7 a (29%)
2/7 a (29%)
Source: GAO analysis of Department of Energy project reporting data and NNSA documentation. | GAO-25-107767
a In 2022, one project provided a cost growth notification, as well as notifications of recertification, a new baseline cost, and an assessment of root causes. However, it subsequently experienced additional reportable cost growth and established a new baseline in May 2025, but has not provided the additional notifications to date, which is not reflected in these figures.
NNSA is also required to report on cost baselines for programs to acquire new nuclear weapons or life extension programs, and for programs to alter existing weapons where costs exceed $800 million. For three such programs that met the baseline reporting requirement, NNSA has used an existing reporting requirement to communicate initial cost and schedule baselines rather than provide separate notifications. At the time of GAO's review, none of the three programs met the criteria for cost growth reporting in effect at the time--a total cost increase of at least 25 percent or a per unit increase of at least 50 percent.
NNSA officials responsible for cost growth reporting told GAO that they planned to implement new processes with an initial focus on the process for construction projects, including the use of templates and root cause assessment guidance. However, officials said they were in the early stages and could not provide a timeline for completion. If implemented effectively, templates, guidance, and processes could help NNSA ensure it is providing accurate and timely information to congressional decision-makers
Why GAO Did This Study
House Report 118-529 includes a provision for us to review NNSA's cost growth notification processes. GAO's report assesses NNSA's implementation of this provision and opportunities NNSA has identified to improve its cost growth notification requirements.
GAO reviewed and analyzed provisions of law that relate to cost controls and reporting, NNSA directives and guidance, and NNSA documentation related to cost monitoring and notifications for construction projects and weapons programs. GAO also interviewed officials with NNSA and the Office of Management and Budget.
Recommendations
GAO is making three recommendations to NNSA, including that it complete templates and implement a process for reporting timely cost growth notifications, and finalize its root cause analysis guidance.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Nuclear Security Administration The Administrator of NNSA should direct CEPE to establish a deadline and finalize its efforts to establish templates and implement a process for reporting timely cost growth notifications. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Nuclear Security Administration The Administrator of NNSA should direct CEPE to establish a deadline and finalize its efforts to establish guidance on performing a root cause analysis that also traces to the required elements under the cost growth notification provision. (Recommendation 2)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Nuclear Security Administration The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Administrator of NNSA, should communicate to the relevant congressional committees suggested changes to the cost growth notification provision. (Recommendation 3)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107767
Sexual Harassment: Actions Needed to Ensure Consistent Agency Policies for Research Institutions
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Sexual Harassment: Actions Needed to Ensure Consistent Agency Policies for Research Institutions
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Fast Facts
Sexual harassment can drive talented people out of STEM jobs--hurting the U.S. workforce and innovation.
Federal agencies fund STEM research at institutions such as universities but don't have consistent policies to handle harassment complaints about researchers they fund. To address this, Congress told the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop stronger policies ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Sexual Harassment: Actions Needed to Ensure Consistent Agency Policies for Research Institutions * Fast Facts Sexual harassment can drive talented people out of STEM jobs--hurting the U.S. workforce and innovation. Federal agencies fund STEM research at institutions such as universities but don't have consistent policies to handle harassment complaints about researchers they fund. To address this, Congress told the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop stronger policiesand told the National Science Foundation to expand research.
Both the Office and NSF have made progress, but more is needed.
We recommend steps the Office should take to strengthen oversight and coordination.
A clipboard with a paper labeled "sexual harassment complaint form" is pictured with a pen.
Highlights
What GAO Found
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) did not complete actions to address sexual harassment at federally funded research institutions within the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act's time frames. For example, OSTP was 15 months late in publishing its February 2024 required inventory of research agencies' sexual harassment policies. This led to cascading delays in issuing required policy guidelines for agencies--January 2025 guidance was issued 20 months later than it should have been.
GAO's review of 17 research agencies found that none had policies that were fully consistent with the OSTP guidelines issued in January 2025. These agencies are now evaluating how to align their policies with the guidelines and expressed concern about meeting the current October 2025 deadline.
OSTP is to monitor agencies' development of policies. Such monitoring can ensure research agencies implement consistent policies, a goal specified in the act. However, OSTP does not have staff in place to lead this effort. OSTP officials stated they are recruiting to fill such positions, but the office had not yet hired staff as of July 2025, raising doubts about meeting the October deadline.
Consistent with the act's requirements, in August 2023 the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced its intention to make awards to study sexual harassment. In analyzing NSF's awards database, GAO identified four such awards. However, these four awards were terminated as of May 2025.
Timeline of Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Research Agency Activities
OSTP's guidelines addressed most of the act's requirements, but did not fully address sharing of harassment reports and reporting of investigative information. OSTP staff involved in developing the guidelines departed shortly after its release, which coincided with a change in administrations. Addressing these requirements can enhance research agencies' awareness of recurring issues, a problem specified in the act.
Why GAO Did This Study
Academic science, engineering, and medicine are particularly susceptible to workplace sexual harassment, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Amid these concerns, the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act, enacted in 2022, identified various requirements for federal research agencies, OSTP, and NSF to combat sexual harassment at federally funded research institutions and increase consistency in research agencies' policies. The act includes a provision for GAO to assess federal efforts to implement policies that address sexual harassment at research institutions. This report addresses: (1) the status of actions required of OSTP, NSF, and research agencies and (2) the extent to which the policy guidelines address the act's requirements.
GAO analyzed documentation and written responses from OSTP and 17 research agencies, including NSF, on their existing sexual harassment policies and the extent to which they were consistent with the January 2025 OSTP guidelines. GAO also compared these guidelines to the act's requirements. In addition, GAO interviewed OSTP officials.
Recommendations
GAO is making two recommendations to OSTP to (1) monitor agencies' development of policies and (2) fully address sharing of reports and investigative information in its policy guidelines. OSTP responded that it did not have comments on the report.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Office of Science and Technology Policy The Director of OSTP should fulfill its statutory role to encourage and monitor the research agencies' development, implementation, and maintenance of policies consistent with federal guidelines to reduce sexual harassment involving award personnel. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Office of Science and Technology Policy The Director of OSTP should revise federal guidelines to fully address the sharing among agencies of harassment reports about individuals working on federal research awards and indicate that research agencies should be collecting data on initiated sexual harassment investigations involving award personnel and the results of all such investigations. (Recommendation 2)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107750
Extreme Heat: Limited FEMA Assistance Highlights Need for Reevaluation of Agency's Role
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Extreme Heat: Limited FEMA Assistance Highlights Need for Reevaluation of Agency's Role
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Fast Facts
Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. A 2024 study found that the total number of heat-related deaths recorded in the U.S. had more than doubled between 1999 and 2023.
As of August 2025, FEMA was evaluating whether to end or revise a grant program that states used for projects related to extreme heat. FEMA hasn't assessed how this change could ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Extreme Heat: Limited FEMA Assistance Highlights Need for Reevaluation of Agency's Role * Fast Facts Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. A 2024 study found that the total number of heat-related deaths recorded in the U.S. had more than doubled between 1999 and 2023. As of August 2025, FEMA was evaluating whether to end or revise a grant program that states used for projects related to extreme heat. FEMA hasn't assessed how this change couldaffect its extreme heat response.
We made 4 recommendations, including that FEMA assess its role and capabilities for helping states handle extreme-heat events. This would allow FEMA to find gaps in its programs and decide whether and how to address them.
A stock photo showing a thermometer reading 40 degrees Celsius/104 degrees Fahrenheit against a bright sun in a red and orange sky with bright white clouds.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Between 2018 and 2024, 97 percent of counties across the contiguous U.S. were projected to reach at least level 3, a dangerous level of heat, by the National Weather Services's HeatRisk, a 5-level index for potential heat-related effects. In addition, more than 319 million people lived under a forecast that was at a dangerous level for at least one day during this period of time.
Average Days per Year at HeatRisk Level 3 and Above by County, 2018-2024
FEMA has provided limited assistance to tribal, state, and local governments for projects to mitigate against extreme heat. For example, less than 1 percent of the agency's Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) 1,235 grant projects with obligations from fiscal years 2020 through 2023 primarily addressed extreme heat.
Further, there has never been a presidentially declared major disaster for an extreme heat event, which would trigger federal assistance, such as damaged infrastructure, emergency protective measures for survivors, and mitigation assistance. According to FEMA, past extreme heat events have caused little infrastructure damage, a key criterion for approving federal assistance. FEMA officials told us that absent extraordinary circumstances, it was unlikely that a president would ever declare a major disaster for extreme heat. Agency officials reported providing some assistance for extreme heat when responding to other approved disasters, such as distributing commodities to Houston, Texas after Hurricane Beryl.
However, FEMA has not evaluated its role in helping tribal, state, and local governments to plan for and implement activities that reduce or mitigate future disaster losses from extreme heat events. Moreover, FEMA has also not assessed how its potential decision to end BRIC may affect the agency's ability to assist these entities. Evaluating FEMA's role and its capabilities for assisting tribal, state, and local governments to prepare, respond, and recover from extreme heat events would help the agency to fully identify any gaps in assisting these governments and determine how to best address them. The evaluation's results could also be incorporated into any upcoming changes to FEMA's role or reform efforts.
Why GAO Did This Study
According to the National Weather Service, extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S.--killing more people than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined. These events are forecast to grow in intensity, frequency, and duration.
GAO was asked to examine the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) support for states and localities experiencing extreme heat events. This report examines (1) where forecast data projected extreme heat could occur; (2) the extent FEMA assisted Tribes, states, and localities to mitigate extreme heat; and (3) the extent that FEMA helped these entities respond to and recover from extreme heat events.
GAO reviewed FEMA documentation; analyzed heat index data from January 2018 through October 2024 and FEMA grant data from fiscal years 2020 through 2023; interviewed emergency management or public health officials, subject matter experts; and FEMA officials.
Recommendations
GAO is making four recommendations, including that FEMA evaluate its role, capabilities and address any program gaps to assist tribal, state and local governments to address extreme heat events. FEMA concurred with three recommendations but did not concur with one recommendation-- to establish a plan to incorporate more extreme heat activities into its benefit-cost analysis processes. The agency stated it no longer plans to do this effort. Stakeholders reported that calculating extreme heat-related project benefits was a challenge. GAO maintains its recommendation could help FEMA alleviate the burden on communities to demonstrate their extreme heat projects' cost-effectiveness.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Emergency Management Agency The Administrator of FEMA should identify quantitative and qualitative evidence for tribal, state, and local governments to use to complete a benefit-cost analysis for projects addressing extreme heat. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The Administrator of FEMA should establish a plan with a timeline and milestones to incorporate additional extreme heat activities into its benefit-cost analysis processes. (Recommendation 2)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The Administrator of FEMA should identify mitigation projects with extreme heat as the primary focus and develop and distribute examples that model such projects. (Recommendation 3)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency The Administrator of FEMA should evaluate the agency's role and capabilities to identify any gaps in its programs for assisting tribal, state, and local governments to address extreme heat events, and identify and determine whether and how best to address any gaps. (Recommendation 4)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107474
Government Performance Management: Implementing GAO's Recommendations Would Help OMB Address Crosscutting Challenges
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Government Performance Management: Implementing GAO's Recommendations Would Help OMB Address Crosscutting Challenges
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Fast Facts
The Government Performance and Results Act Modernization Act of 2010 aimed to improve the performance of the federal government. For example, the Office of Management and Budget must coordinate with agencies to develop 4-year goals to address challenges facing the government.
Since 2011, we've made 114 recommendations to help implement this law. For example, ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Government Performance Management: Implementing GAO's Recommendations Would Help OMB Address Crosscutting Challenges * Fast Facts The Government Performance and Results Act Modernization Act of 2010 aimed to improve the performance of the federal government. For example, the Office of Management and Budget must coordinate with agencies to develop 4-year goals to address challenges facing the government. Since 2011, we've made 114 recommendations to help implement this law. For example,we recommended OMB enhance reporting on the goals.
OMB and agencies have made progress in implementing most of our recommendations. But OMB still needs to act on 18 recommendations that mostly involve issues that cut across multiple agencies, such as an inventory of federal programs.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Many of the meaningful results the federal government seeks to achieve, such as providing homeland security and cybersecurity, are crosscutting in nature. Achieving results in these areas requires the coordinated efforts of more than one federal agency, level of government, or sector. The GPRA Modernization Act of 2010 (GPRAMA) updated the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) to create a more integrated, crosscutting performance planning and reporting framework to support the federal government's achievement of results.
GPRAMA requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to work with federal agencies to develop cross-agency priority (CAP) goals, 4-year outcome-oriented goals that address crosscutting mission areas as well as management challenges. GAO issued three reports on the 2022-2025 CAP goals, which included six recommendations to improve their implementation. Two of the six recommendations, both related to transparent reporting on CAP goal progress, have been implemented. Addressing the remaining recommendations would help ensure that future CAP goals are timely, address required management areas--such as IT--and are defined to allow assessment over time.
Agencies and OMB have implemented most recommendations GAO made related to GPRAMA implementation since the law was enacted. Through their efforts, OMB and agencies have made greater use of performance information in decision-making, created clearer definitions of performance goals and responsibilities, and enhanced transparency through more consistent public reporting.
Figure: Status of GAO Recommendations Related to Implementation of the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010 from Fiscal Years 2012 to 2025, as of July 2025
Notes: Recommendations categorized as "Closed - not implemented" are those for which the intent has not been satisfied, but time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation no longer valid. Recommendations categorized as "Open - partially addressed" are those for which actions have been taken that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation.
OMB has yet to fully implement 18, more than one quarter of GAO's 61 recommendations. Fifteen relate to crosscutting issues, such as efforts to create an inventory of federal programs. The remainder involve efforts to increase federal transparency and the improved use of performance information. Implementing the open recommendations would help OMB improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal agencies, programs, and activities.
Why GAO Did This Study
The performance and planning framework originally put into place by GPRA and enhanced by GPRAMA provides important tools that can help decision makers address challenges facing the federal government.
GPRAMA includes a provision for GAO to periodically assess the act's implementation, including the CAP goals. This report, GAO's fifth periodic review of GPRAMA's implementation, (1) discusses GAO's prior work on the implementation of CAP goals from 2022 to 2025; and (2) examines progress made in implementing GAO's past GPRAMA recommendations.
GAO summarized three reports related to CAP goals issued during the 2022-2025 timeframe. GAO also reviewed related prior work and actions OMB and other federal agencies have taken to implement recommendations made since GPRAMA was enacted.
Recommendations
GAO has made 114 recommendations related to GPRAMA implementation, of which 18 have yet to be fully implemented by OMB. For example, 11 recommendations are specific to developing a complete inventory of federal programs, such as publicly defining plans to fully implement it.
GAO maintains that OMB should fully address the remaining recommendations. By implementing these recommendations, OMB could help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal agencies, programs, and activities, and address crosscutting challenges.
OMB provided updated information on some recommendations in September 2025, which GAO incorporated into the report, as appropriate.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-108008
Bureau of Prisons: Strategic Approach Needed to Prevent and Address Employee Misconduct
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:* * *
Bureau of Prisons: Strategic Approach Needed to Prevent and Address Employee Misconduct
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Highlights
What GAO Found
The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has policies and procedures on employee misconduct but has not fully communicated them. In June 2024, BOP updated its Standards of Employee Conduct and provides ongoing training on these standards. However, BOP is not sharing and using feedback from employees on the training, which is inconsistent with leading practices. Doing so would better ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (TNSLrpt) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Bureau of Prisons: Strategic Approach Needed to Prevent and Address Employee Misconduct * Highlights What GAO Found The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has policies and procedures on employee misconduct but has not fully communicated them. In June 2024, BOP updated its Standards of Employee Conduct and provides ongoing training on these standards. However, BOP is not sharing and using feedback from employees on the training, which is inconsistent with leading practices. Doing so would betterposition BOP to improve the training's design, delivery, and overall effectiveness in preventing employee misconduct.
Additionally, BOP uses orientation handbooks and signs posted in facilities to inform incarcerated individuals how to report certain employee misconduct. However, the handbooks and signs discuss sexual misconduct rather than a broader range of allegations, such as contraband and physical abuse. Developing a communication strategy to fully inform incarcerated individuals about employee misconduct offenses that affect their health and safety could increase awareness about the standards BOP is trying to uphold and help ensure facility safety and employee accountability.
Further, BOP has not fully incorporated data analysis and planning into how it manages employee misconduct. For example, BOP collects employee misconduct data but does not assess these data to identify trends in misconduct across more than 2 years. By developing and implementing an approach to routinely and fully assess employee misconduct data over more than 2 years, BOP could better focus its efforts to prevent and address misconduct.
BOP increased staff and took other steps to reduce its employee misconduct caseload, but about 37 percent of the 12,153 cases open as of February 2025 had been unresolved for 3 years or longer. BOP's approach to investigating and disciplining employee misconduct does not include establishing milestones or designating responsibilities to key officials. Implementing a comprehensive plan with these elements would help BOP allocate the resources necessary for investigating and disciplining employee misconduct cases, achieve desired results, and enhance safety and efficiency.
Length of Time Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Employee Misconduct Cases Had Been Open as of February 2025
Note: Includes cases reported from October 2013 through February 2025 that remained open as of February 27, 2025, when BOP retrieved the data from its system. While BOP's Office of Internal Affairs investigates most cases, a small number are investigated by the Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General or another body, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Why GAO Did This Study
Each year, BOP receives and investigates thousands of employee misconduct allegations. These include sexual abuse of incarcerated individuals, unprofessional conduct, and failure to follow policy. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reported that BOP's operational challenges have resulted in lengthy investigations and backlogged cases.
GAO was asked to review BOP's efforts to prevent and address employee misconduct. This report examines (1) the extent to which BOP has established and communicated policies and procedures on employee misconduct and (2) the extent to which BOP has incorporated data analysis and planning into misconduct management, among other issues.
GAO analyzed BOP policy and data from October 2013 through February 2025 and interviewed BOP officials. GAO also interviewed staff and incarcerated individuals from three BOP complexes, selected in part to represent a variety of locations.
Recommendations
GAO is making eight recommendations to BOP, including the following:
* Develop an approach for sharing and using employee feedback on relevant training.
* Develop a communication strategy to fully inform incarcerated individuals about employee misconduct offenses that affect their health and safety.
* Routinely and fully assess misconduct data to identify and address trends.
* Implement a comprehensive plan for investigating and disciplining employee misconduct cases.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Bureau of Prisons The Director of BOP should revise BOP's program statement on investigative policy to correctly cite Kalkines v. United States as the applicable legal decision for the administrative warning that OIA conveys before conducting compelled interviews. (Recommendation 1)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Bureau of Prisons The Director of BOP should develop and implement a communication strategy that fully informs incarcerated individuals about employee misconduct offenses that affect their health and safety. (Recommendation 2)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Bureau of Prisons The Director of BOP should (a) develop a routine and systematic approach for sharing employee feedback specific to the Standards of Employee Conduct training with regional and central offices and (b) use this feedback to help improve its design, delivery, and overall effectiveness. (Recommendation 3)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Bureau of Prisons The Director of BOP should develop and implement an approach to routinely and fully assess employee misconduct data, identify trends across more than 2 years and within and across facilities, and identify any challenge areas to help focus efforts to prevent and address employee misconduct. (Recommendation 4)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Bureau of Prisons The Director of BOP, after implementing routine assessments of employee misconduct data, should implement targeted approaches to address the identified trends and challenge areas in employee misconduct. (Recommendation 5)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Bureau of Prisons The Director of BOP should document and implement a comprehensive plan that establishes responsibilities, measurable goals, and milestones for investigating and disciplining employee misconduct cases to ensure accountability for meeting those goals. (Recommendation 6)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Bureau of Prisons The Director of BOP should (a) establish target time frames for each step in the employee disciplinary process and (b) designate responsibilities for developing and implementing a method of routinely evaluating the extent to which it is meeting targets. (Recommendation 7)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Bureau of Prisons The Director of BOP, after establishing target time frames for steps in the employee disciplinary process, should develop and implement an approach to identify and address any delays in the employee disciplinary process that hinder its ability to meet target time frames. (Recommendation 8)
Open Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned.
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
See All 8 Recommendations
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Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107339