GAO Month in Review August 2008

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 http://www.gao.gov/press/topten.html

Environmental Protection

Chemical Safety Board: Improvements in Management and Oversight Are Needed: GAO-08-864R, August 22, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 81 pages) Accessible Text

Hurricane Katrina: Continuing Debris Removal and Disposal Issues: GAO-08-985R, August 25, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 37 pages) Accessible Text

Superfund: Funding and Reported Costs of Enforcement and Administration Activities: GAO-08-841R, July 18, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 31 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Financial Management

Grants Management: Attention Needed to Address Undisbursed Balances in Expired Grant Accounts: GAO-08-432, August 29, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 41 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Government Operations

Information Technology: Agencies Need to Establish Comprehensive Policies to Address Changes to Projects' Cost, Schedule, and Performance Goals: GAO-08-925, July 31, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 53 pages) Accessible Text

Schedule and Timing Issues Complicate Withholding Premiums for Medicare Parts C and D from Social Security Payments: GAO-08-816R, July 15, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 89 pages) Accessible Text

The Role of the U.S. Government Accountability Office: GAO-08-1089CG, July 31, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 35 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Health

Food and Drug Administration: Approval and Oversight of the Drug Mifeprex: GAO-08-751, August 7, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 50 pages) Accessible Text

Medicare Part D: Some Plan Sponsors Have Not Completely Implemented Fraud and Abuse Programs, and CMS Oversight Has Been Limited: GAO-08-760, July 21, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 38 pages) Accessible Text

Medicare and Medicaid: CMS and State Efforts to Interact with the Indian Health Service and Indian Tribes: GAO-08-724, July 11, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 46 pages) Accessible Text

Medicare: Covert Testing Exposes Weaknesses in the Durable Medical Equipment Supplier Screening Process: GAO-08-955, July 3, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 24 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Homeland Security

Supply Chain Security: CBP Works with International Entities to Promote Global Customs Security Standards and Initiatives, but Challenges Remain: GAO-08-538, August 15, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 52 pages) Accessible Text

Transportation Security: TSA Has Developed a Risk-Based Covert Testing Program, but Could Better Mitigate Aviation Security Vulnerabilities Identified Through Covert Tests: GAO-08-958, August 8, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 45 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Income Security

PBGC Assets: Implementation of New Investment Policy Will Need Stronger Board Oversight: GAO-08-667, July 17, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 57 pages) Accessible Text

Private Pensions: Fulfilling Fiduciary Obligations Can Present Challenges for 401(k) Plan Sponsors: GAO-08-774, July 16, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 40 pages) Accessible Text

Private Pensions: GAO Survey of 401(k) Plan Sponsor Practices (GAO-08-870SP, July 2008), an E-supplement to GAO-08-774: GAO-08-870SP, July 16, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (HTML)

[back to top]

International Affairs

Combating Terrorism: Actions Needed to Enhance Implementation of Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership: GAO-08-860, July 31, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 46 pages) Accessible Text

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Managing Potential Economic Impact of Applying U.S. Immigration Law Requires Coordinated Federal Decisions and Additional Data: GAO-08-791, August 4, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 126 pages) Accessible Text

Drug Control: Cooperation with Many Major Drug Transit Countries Has Improved, but Better Performance Reporting and Sustainability Plans Are Needed: GAO-08-784, July 15, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 59 pages) Accessible Text

Stabilizing and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Revenues, Expenditures, and Surplus: GAO-08-1031, August 5, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 41 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Justice and Law Enforcement

International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005: Agencies Have Implemented Some, but Not All of the Act's Requirements: GAO-08-862, August 8, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 34 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

National Defense

DOD Business Systems Modernization: Key Navy Programs' Compliance with DOD's Federated Business Enterprise Architecture Needs to Be Adequately Demonstrated: GAO-08-972, August 7, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 60 pages) Accessible Text

DOD Business Transformation: Air Force's Current Approach Increases Risk That Asset Visibility Goals and Transformation Priorities Will Not Be Achieved: GAO-08-866, August 8, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 35 pages) Accessible Text

Defense Acquisitions: Department of Defense Needs Framework for Balancing Investments in Tactical Radios: GAO-08-877, August 15, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 37 pages) Accessible Text

Defense Critical Infrastructure: Adherence to Guidance Would Improve DOD's Approach to Identifying and Assuring the Availability of Critical Transportation Assets: GAO-08-851, August 15, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 37 pages) Accessible Text

Military Base Realignments and Closures: Army Is Developing Plans to Transfer Functions from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, but Challenges Remain: GAO-08-1010R, August 13, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 23 pages) Accessible Text

Military Personnel: DOD's and the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs Face Implementation and Oversight Challenges: GAO-08-924, August 29, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 124 pages) Accessible Text

Military Personnel: Improvements Needed to Increase Effectiveness of DOD's Programs to Promote Positive Working Relationships between Reservists and Their Employers: GAO-08-981R, August 15, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 31 pages) Accessible Text

Rebuilding Iraq: DOD and State Department Have Improved Oversight and Coordination of Private Security Contractors in Iraq, but Further Actions Are Needed to Sustain Improvements: GAO-08-966, July 31, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 61 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Natural Resources

Hardrock Mining: Information on State Royalties and Trends in Mineral Imports and Exports: GAO-08-849R, July 21, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 36 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Tax Policy and Administration

Tax Administration: Comparison of the Reported Tax Liabilities of Foreign- and U.S.-Controlled Corporations, 1998-2005: GAO-08-957, July 24, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 32 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Transportation

FAA Airspace Redesign: An Analysis of the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia Project: GAO-08-786, July 31, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 95 pages) Accessible Text

Review of the Transportation Security Administration's Air Cargo Screening Exemptions Report: GAO-08-1055R, August 15, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 24 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs: Continued Action Needed to Reduce IT Equipment Losses and Correct Control Weaknesses: GAO-08-918, July 31, 2008; Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 46 pages) Accessible Text

[back to top]

Legal Products: Decisions and Opinions

Army--Mass Transit Benefits, Aberdeen Proving Ground: B-316381, July 18, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 5 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

B.R. Hardison-Designated Employee Agent: B-311275, May 29, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 5 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Brian X. Scott--Costs: B-400168.3, August 18, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 3 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Carahsoft Technologies Corporation and Avue Technologies Corporation: B-400405, August 4, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 3 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Colliers International: B-400173, July 3, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 3 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Consolidated Engineering Services, Inc.: B-311313, June 10, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 13 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Delex Systems, Inc.: B-400321; B-400402, August 5, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 3 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Department of Homeland Security--Transfer of Support Function for Principal Federal Officials: B-316533, July 31, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 8 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Environmental Protection Agency; CGI Federal, Inc.--Reconsiderations: B-299504.3; B-299504.4, July 23, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 6 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Exec Plaza, LLC: B-400107; B-400107.2, August 1, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 13 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

G. Koprowski: B-400215, August 12, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Gary M. Williamson--Agency Tender Official: B-400153, August 1, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Hendry Corporation: B-400224.2, August 25, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

John Gage--Designated Employee Agent: B-400379, August 4, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 3 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Labatt Food Service, Inc.: B-310939.6, August 18, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 3 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Lockheed Martin MS2 Tactical Systems: B-400135; B-400135.2, August 8, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 22 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Logistics Health, Inc.: B-400157, August 13, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Murray-Benjamin Electric Company, LP: B-400255, August 7, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

North Shore Medical Labs, Inc.; Advanced BioMedical Laboratories, LLC: B-311070; B-311070.2, April 21, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 5 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Savantage Financial Services, Incorporated: B-400109.2, July 28, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 9 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Sea Box, Inc.: B-400198, August 25, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 5 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Systalex Corporation: B-400109, July 17, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 7 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

Zia Engineering & Environmental Consultants, LLC; Garrison Engineering & Maintenance Services, LLC: B-400127, August 7, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Decision (PDF, 4 pages) Full Decision (HTML)

[back to top]

Legal Products: Federal Agency Major Rules

Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service: Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Goat Meat, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, Peanuts, Pecans, Ginseng, and Macadamia Nuts: GAO-08-1093R, August 13, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 5 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal Year 2009: GAO-08-1101R, August 22, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities for FY 2009: GAO-08-1100R, August 22, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Fire Safety Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, Automatic Sprinkler Systems: GAO-08-1106R, August 27, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Environmental Protection Agency: Standards of Performance for Petroleum Refineries: GAO-08-1072R, August 11, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Federal Communications Commission: Commercial Mobile Alert System: GAO-08-1070R, August 6, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Federal Communications Commission: Commercial Mobile Alert System: GAO-08-1116R, August 27, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

Federal Trade Commission: Identity Theft Red Flags and Address Discrepancies Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003: GAO-08-1118R, August 29, 2008; Summary (HTML) Full Report (PDF, 4 pages) Full Report (HTML)

[back to top]

If you have any questions, please contact Chuck Young of Public Affairs at (202) 512-4800 or via email at YoungC1@GAO.GOV.

Subscribe to this monthly mailing and daily E-mail updates about GAO products at the "E-mail Updates" section of http://www.gao.gov.

Remove yourself from this mailing list by sending an E-mail message to: listserv@listserv.gao.gov with the message: unsubscribe review-m in the message body.

Find these and other GAO products in the "Reports and Testimonies" section or the "Legal Decisions" section of http://www.gao.gov. Order printed copies of any of these items from GAO: 202-512-6000 (voice) 202-512-2537 (TDD) 202-512-6061 (fax).

This list is produced by the Government Accountability Office.