GAO Month in Review September 2007

About the Month in Review

The Month in Review is a comprehensive list of all reports, testimony, correspondence, and other publications issued by GAO during the previous month, grouped according to subject categories.

Top 10 list of significant work made publicly available in the last month http://www.gao.gov/press/topten.html

Agriculture and Food

  • Agricultural Conservation: Farm Program Payments Are an Important Factor in Landowners' Decisions to Convert Grassland to Cropland. GAO-07-1054, September 10, 2007 (63 pages).

Budget and Spending

  • 21st Century Challenges: How Performance Budgeting Can Help. GAO-07-1194T, September 20, 2007 (20 pages).
  • The Nation's Long-Term Fiscal Outlook, August 2007 Update: Despite Recent Improvement in the Annual Deficit, Federal Fiscal Policy Remains Unsustainable. GAO-07-1261R, September 28, 2007 (11 pages).

Business, Industry, and Consumers

  • Digital Television Transition: Preliminary Information on Initial Consumer Education Efforts. GAO-07-1248T, September 19, 2007 (11 pages).
  • Small Business Administration: Preliminary Views on Issues Related to the Women's Business Center Program. GAO-07-1244T, September 20, 2007 (13 pages).
  • Small Business Contracting: Observations from Reviews of Contracting and Advocacy Activities of Federal Agencies. GAO-07-1255T, September 26, 2007 (15 pages).

Economic Development

  • Economic Development: Formal Monitoring Approaches Needed to Help Ensure Compliance with Restrictions on Funding Employer Relocations. GAO-07-1005, September 10, 2007 (48 pages).
  • National Flood Insurance Program: FEMA's Management and Oversight of Payments for Insurance Company Services Should Be Improved. GAO-07-1078, September 5, 2007 (52 pages).

Education

  • No Child Left Behind Act: Education Should Clarify Guidance and Address Potential Compliance Issues for Schools in Corrective Action and Restructuring Status. GAO-07-1035, September 5, 2007 (57 pages).

Employment

  • Employer-Sponsored Benefits: Many Factors Affect the Treatment of Pension and Health Benefits in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. GAO-07-1101, September 6, 2007 (43 pages).
  • Unemployment Insurance: Low-Wage and Part-Time Workers Continue to Experience Low Rates of Receipt. GAO-07-1147, September 7, 2007 (39 pages).
  • Unemployment Insurance: Receipt of Benefits Has Declined, with Continued Disparities for Low-Wage and Part-Time Workers. GAO-07-1243T, September 19, 2007 (14 pages).

Energy

  • Nuclear Energy: NRC's Workforce and Processes for New Reactor Licensing Are Generally in Place, but Uncertainties Remain as Industry Begins to Submit Applications. GAO-07-1129, September 21, 2007 (36 pages).
  • Nuclear Security: DOE and NRC Have Different Security Requirements for Protecting Weapons-Grade Material from Terrorist Attacks. GAO-07-1197R, September 11, 2007 (5 pages).

Environmental Protection

  • Chemical Regulation: Comparison of U.S. and Recently Enacted European Union Approaches to Protect against the Risks of Toxic Chemicals. GAO-07-825, August 17, 2007 (51 pages).
  • Climate Change: Agencies Should Develop Guidance for Addressing the Effects on Federal Land and Water Resources. GAO-07-863, August 7, 2007 (179 pages).
  • Maritime Transportation: Major Oil Spills Occur Infrequently, but Risks to the Federal Oil Spill Fund Remain. GAO-07-1085, September 7, 2007 (46 pages).
  • Prairie Pothole Region: At the Current Pace of Acquisitions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Is Unlikely to Achieve Its Habitat Protection Goals for Migratory Birds. GAO-07-1093, September 27, 2007 (49 pages).
  • South Florida Ecosystem: Some Restoration Progress Has Been Made, but the Effort Faces Significant Delays, Implementation Challenges, and Rising Costs. GAO-07-1250T, September 19, 2007 (15 pages).
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Additional Flexibility Needed to Deal with Farmlands Received from the Department of Agriculture. GAO-07-1092, September 18, 2007 (51 pages).
  • World Trade Center: EPA's Most Recent Test and Clean Program Raises Concerns That Need to Be Addressed to Better Prepare for Indoor Contamination Following Disasters. GAO-07-1091, September 5, 2007 (79 pages).

Financial Institutions

  • Securities and Exchange Commission: Additional Actions Needed to Ensure Planned Improvements Address Limitations in Enforcement Division Operations. GAO-07-830, August 15, 2007 (48 pages).
  • Securities and Exchange Commission: Steps Being Taken to Make Examination Program More Risk-Based and Transparent. GAO-07-1053, August 14, 2007 (38 pages).

Government Operations

  • Alaska Native Corporations: Increased Use of Special 8(a) Provisions Calls for Tailored Oversight. GAO-07-1251T, September 19, 2007 (10 pages).
  • Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of September 25, 2007. GAO-07-1249T, September 25, 2007 (5 pages).
  • Sale of Magnetic Data Tapes Previously Used by the Government Presents a Low Security Risk. GAO-07-1233R, September 21, 2007 (5 pages).
  • Smithsonian Institution: Funding Challenges Affect Facilities' Conditions and Security, Endangering Collections. GAO-07-1127, September 28, 2007 (83 pages).

Health

  • Highlights of a Forum: Health Care 20 Years From Now--Taking Steps Today to Meet Tomorrow's Challenges. GAO-07-1155SP, September 7, 2007 (34 pages).
  • Influenza Pandemic: Federal Executive Boards' Ability to Contribute to Pandemic Preparedness. GAO-07-1259T, September 28, 2007 (12 pages).
  • Influenza Pandemic: Further Efforts Are Needed to Ensure Clearer Federal Leadership Roles and an Effective National Strategy. GAO-07-781, August 14, 2007 (51 pages).
  • Influenza Pandemic: Opportunities Exist to Clarify Federal Leadership Roles and Improve Pandemic Planning. GAO-07-1257T, September 26, 2007 (12 pages).
  • Medicare Inpatient Hospital Payments: CMS Has Used External Data for New Technologies in Certain Instances and Medicare Remains Primary Data Source. GAO-07-46, September 26, 2007 (24 pages).
  • September 11: Improvements Needed in Availability of Health Screening and Monitoring Services for Responders. GAO-07-1228T, September 18, 2007 (23 pages).
  • September 11: Improvements Needed in Availability of Health Screening and Monitoring Services for Responders. GAO-07-1229T, September 10, 2007 (23 pages).
  • September 11: Problems Remain in Planning for and Providing Health Screening and Monitoring Services for Responders. GAO-07-1253T, September 20, 2007 (25 pages).

Homeland Security

  • Border Security: Security Vulnerabilities at Unmanned and Unmonitored U.S. Border Locations. GAO-07-884T, September 27, 2007 (13 pages).
  • Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Additional Actions Needed to Ensure Adequate Testing of Next Generation Radiation Detection Equipment. GAO-07-1247T, September 18, 2007 (14 pages).
  • Department of Homeland Security: Progress Report on Implementation of Mission and Management Functions. GAO-07-1081T, September 6, 2007 (27 pages).
  • Department of Homeland Security: Progress Report on Implementation of Mission and Management Functions. GAO-07-1240T, September 18, 2007 (28 pages).
  • Department of Homeland Security: Progress Report on Implementation of Mission and Management Functions. GAO-07-454, August 17, 2007 (320 pages).
  • Homeland Security: Preliminary Information on Federal Actions to Address Challenges Faced by State and Local Information Fusion Centers. GAO-07-1241T, September 27, 2007 (13 pages).
  • Homeland Security: U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Program's Long-standing Lack of Strategic Direction and Management Controls Needs to Be Addressed. GAO-07-1065, August 31, 2007 (163 pages).
  • Information Technology: DHS's Human Capital Plan Is Largely Consistent with Relevant Guidance, but Improvements and Implementation Steps Are Still Needed. GAO-07-425, September 10, 2007 (41 pages).
  • Natural Hazard Mitigation: Various Mitigation Efforts Exist, but Federal Efforts Do Not Provide a Comprehensive Strategic Framework. GAO-07-403, August 22, 2007 (69 pages).

Income Security

  • Social Security: Costs Associated with the Administration's Efforts to Promote Program Reforms. GAO-07-621R, August 10, 2007 (22 pages).

Information Management

  • Information Security: Sustained Management Commitment and Oversight Are Vital to Resolving Long-standing Weaknesses at the Department of Veterans Affairs. GAO-07-1019, September 7, 2007 (47 pages).
  • Information Technology: Further Improvements Needed to identify and Oversee Poorly Planned and Performing Projects. GAO-07-1211T, September 20, 2007 (33 pages).

International Affairs

  • Border Security: Fraud Risks Complicate State's Ability to Manage Diversity Visa Program. GAO-07-1174, September 21, 2007 (45 pages).
  • Compact of Free Association: Implementation Activities Have Progressed, but the Marshall Islands Faces Challenges to Achieving Long-Term Compact Goals. GAO-07-1258T, September 25, 2007 (21 pages).
  • Ex-Im Bank: The U.S. Export-Import Bank's Financing of Dual-Use Exports. GAO-07-1234R, September 27, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks. GAO-07-1195, September 4, 2007 (92 pages).
  • Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks. GAO-07-1220T, September 4, 2007 (15 pages).
  • Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks. GAO-07-1221T, September 5, 2007 (14 pages).
  • Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks. GAO-07-1222T, September 5, 2007 (14 pages).
  • Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks. GAO-07-1230T, September 7, 2007 (14 pages).
  • U.S.-China Economic And Security Review Commission: Actions Needed to Improve Controls over Key Management Functions. GAO-07-1128, September 28, 2007 (69 pages).

Justice and Law Enforcement

  • Drug Control: U.S. Assistance Has Helped Mexican Counternarcotics Efforts, but Tons of Illicit Drugs Continue to Flow into the United States. GAO-07-1018, August 17, 2007 (46 pages).
  • Federal Law Enforcement Mandatory Basic Training: Results of Surveys of Federal Civilian Law Enforcement Components (GAO-07-1066SP), an E-supplement to GAO-07-815. GAO-07-1066SP, August 10, 2007.
  • Federal Law Enforcement: Survey of Federal Civilian Law Enforcement Mandatory Basic Training. GAO-07-815, August 10, 2007 (51 pages).
  • Legal Services Corporation: Governance and Accountability Practices Need to Be Modernized and Strengthened. GAO-07-993, August 15, 2007 (76 pages).
  • Radiation Exposure Compensation Act: Program Status. GAO-07-1037R, September 7, 2007 (16 pages).

National Defense

  • DOD Civilian Personnel: Medical Policies for Deployed DOD Federal Civilians and Associated Compensation for Those Deployed. GAO-07-1235T, September 18, 2007 (28 pages).
  • DOD Should Provide Congress and the American Public with Monthly Data on Enemy-Initiated Attacks in Iraq in a Timely Manner. GAO-07-1048R, September 28, 2007 (9 pages).
  • Defense Acquisitions: DOD's Research and Development Budget Requests to Congress Do Not Provide Consistent, Complete, and Clear Information. GAO-07-1058, September 5, 2007 (19 pages).
  • Defense Acquisitions: Navy Faces Challenges Constructing the Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford within Budget. GAO-07-866, August 23, 2007 (52 pages).
  • Defense Business Transformation: Achieving Success Requires a Chief Management Officer to Provide Focus and Sustained Leadership. GAO-07-1072, September 5, 2007 (36 pages).
  • Defense Infrastructure: Challenges Increase Risks for Providing Timely Infrastructure Support for Army Installations Expecting Substantial Personnel Growth. GAO-07-1007, September 13, 2007 (42 pages).
  • Defense Infrastructure: Overseas Master Plans Are Improving, but DOD Needs to Provide Congress Additional Information about the Military Buildup on Guam. GAO-07-1015, September 12, 2007 (46 pages).
  • Defense Logistics: Army and Marine Corps Cannot Be Assured That Equipment Reset Strategies Will Sustain Equipment Availability While Meeting Ongoing Operational Requirements. GAO-07-814, September 19, 2007 (59 pages).
  • Military Base Realignments and Closures: Observations Related to the 2005 Round. GAO-07-1203R, September 6, 2007 (10 pages).
  • Military Base Realignments and Closures: Plan Needed to Monitor Challenges for Completing More Than 100 Armed Forces Reserve Centers. GAO-07-1040, September 13, 2007 (33 pages).
  • Military Personnel: DOD's Predatory Lending Report Addressed Mandated Issues, but Support Is Limited for Some Findings and Recommendations. GAO-07-1148R, August 31, 2007 (39 pages).
  • Quadrennial Defense Review: Future Reviews Could Benefit from Improved Department of Defense Analyses and Changes to Legislative Requirements. GAO-07-709, September 14, 2007 (50 pages).
  • Special Operations Forces: Management Actions Are Needed to Effectively Integrate Marine Corps Forces into the U.S. Special Operations Command. GAO-07-1030, September 5, 2007 (43 pages).

Natural Resources

  • Water Resources: Four Federal Agencies Provide Funding for Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Projects. GAO-07-1094, September 7, 2007 (36 pages).

Science, Space, and Technology

  • Space Based Infrared System High Program and its Alternative. GAO-07-1088R, September 12, 2007 (39 pages).

Tax Policy and Administration

  • Tax Compliance: Inflation Has Significantly Decreased the Real Value of Some Penalties. GAO-07-1062, August 23, 2007 (14 pages).

Transportation

  • Federal User Fees: Key Aspects of International Air Passenger Inspection Fees Should Be Addressed Regardless of Whether Fees Are Consolidated. GAO-07-1131, September 24, 2007 (51 pages).
  • Freight Railroads: Updated Information on Rates and Competition Issues. GAO-07-1245T, September 25, 2007 (28 pages).
  • Highlights of a Forum: Transforming Transportation Policy for the 21st Century. GAO-07-1210SP, September 19, 2007 (32 pages).
  • Motor Carrier Safety: Federal Safety Agency Identifies Many High-Risk Carriers but Does Not Assess Maximum Fines as Often as Required by Law. GAO-07-584, August 28, 2007 (67 pages).
  • Transportation Accessibility: Lack of Data and Limited Enforcement Options Limit Federal Oversight. GAO-07-1126, September 19, 2007 (64 pages).

Veterans Affairs

  • DOD and VA: Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Improve Health Care and Disability Evaluations for Returning Servicemembers. GAO-07-1256T, September 26, 2007 (28 pages).
  • Disabled Veterans' Employment: Additional Planning, Monitoring, and Data Collection Efforts Would Improve Assistance. GAO-07-1020, September 12, 2007 (46 pages).
  • Homeless Veterans Programs: Bed Capacity, Service, and Communication Gaps Challenge the Grant and Per Diem Program. GAO-07-1265T, September 27, 2007 (12 pages).
  • Veterans Affairs: Progress Made in Centralizing Information Technology Management, but Challenges Persist. GAO-07-1246T, September 19, 2007 (32 pages).
  • Veterans Affairs: Sustained Management Commitment and Oversight Are Essential to Completing Information Technology Realignment and Strengthening Information Security. GAO-07-1264T, September 26, 2007 (24 pages).

Legal Products: Decisions and Opinions

  • Accent Service Company, Inc.. B-299888, September 14, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Alpha Genesis, Inc.. B-299859, September 12, 2007 (12 pages).
  • Barnes Aerospace Group--Costs. B-299870.2, September 17, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Bighorn Lumber Company, Inc.. B-299906, September 25, 2007 (5 pages).
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives--Words of Futurity in Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Act. B-309704, August 28, 2007 (6 pages).
  • Computer Cite. B-299858, August 31, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Computer Literacy World, Inc.. B-299744, B-299744.4, August 6, 2007 (23 pages).
  • Department of Homeland Security's Use of Shared Services within the Preparedness Directorate. B-308762, September 17, 2007 (15 pages).
  • Financial & Realty Services, LLC. B-299605.2, August 9, 2007 (6 pages).
  • Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego; Sikorsky Aircraft Company. B-299145.5, B-299145.6, August 30, 2007 (9 pages).
  • Metson Marine Services, Inc.. B-299705, July 20, 2007 (6 pages).
  • Metson Marine Services, Inc.. B-299705.2, July 20, 2007 (8 pages).
  • National Archives and Records Administration--Damage to Revolving Fund Records Caused by Building Failure. B-308822, May 2, 2007 (6 pages).
  • National Labor Relations Board--Funding of Subscription Contracts. B-309530, September 17, 2007 (6 pages).
  • National Transportation Safety Board--Insurance for Employees Traveling on Official Business. B-309715, September 25, 2007 (5 pages).
  • Olympus Building Services, Inc.. B-296741.14, B-296741.15, April 20, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Optimal Solutions & Technologies. B-310123.2, September 21, 2007 (3 pages).
  • PWC Logistics Services, Inc.. B-299820, B-299820.3, August 14, 2007 (15 pages).
  • Paraclete Contracts. B-299883, September 11, 2007 (5 pages).
  • S4, Inc.. B-299817, B-299817.2, August 23, 2007 (11 pages).
  • Synergetics, Inc.. B-299904, September 14, 2007 (8 pages).
  • Takota Corporation--Costs. B-299600.2, September 18, 2007 (3 pages).
  • The Borenstein Group, Inc.. B-309751, September 26, 2007 (4 pages).
  • The Salvation Army Community Corrections Program--Costs. B-298866.3, August 29, 2007 (8 pages).

Legal Products: Federal Agency Major Rules

  • Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy; Minimal-Risk Regions; Importation of Live Bovines and Products Derived From Bovines. GAO-07-1260R, September 27, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Changes to the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems and Fiscal Year 2008 Rates. GAO-07-1200R, September 6, 2007 (6 pages).
  • Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Home Health Prospective Payment System Refinement and Rate Update for Calendar Year 2008. GAO-07-1215R, September 10, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Admnistration: Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Blood and Blood Components; Notification of Consignees and Transfusion Recipients Receiving Blood and Blood Components at Increased Risk of Transmitting Hepatis C Virus Infection ("Lookback"). GAO-07-1237R, September 20, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection: Advance Electronic Transmission of Passenger and Crew Member Manifests for Commercial Aircraft and Vessels. GAO-07-1202R, September 6, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Protection in Interior Impact; Side Impact Protection; Fuel System Integrity; Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection; Side Impact Phase-In Reporting Requirements. GAO-07-1252R, September 27, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Early Seasons and Bag and Possession Limits for Certain Migratory Game Birds in the Contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. GAO-07-1218R, September 11, 2007 (5 pages).
  • Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations. GAO-07-1213R, September 11, 2007 (5 pages).
  • Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations. GAO-07-1262R, September 28, 2007 (4 pages).
  • Federal Communications Commission: Service Rules for the 698-806 MHz Band, Revision of the Commission's Rules Regarding Public Safety Spectrum Requirements and a Declaratory Ruling on Reporting Requirement under the Commission's Anti-Collusion Rule. GAO-07-1207R, September 10, 2007 (4 pages).

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