Summary

The Professional Audit Review Team (PART) presented the results of its evaluation of whether the Energy Information Administration (EIA) performed its activities independently, objectively, and professionally during fiscal years 1984 and 1985.

PART found that: (1) although EIA has improved the management of its data and analyses, it has not established any standards detailing the scope and frequency of its quality audits; (2) the number and frequency of quality audits is determined by staffing considerations rather than quality assurance needs; (3) documentation for 7 of 27 EIA data collection systems did not meet EIA standards or was in need of evaluation or updating; and (4) in one instance, EIA did not disclose the extent of its involvement in the establishment of study criteria, which gave the appearance that it was not acting independently.