Month In Review - September 2003
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
Country-Of-Origin Labeling: Opportunities for USDA and Industry to Implement Challenging Aspects of the New Law. GAO-03-780, August 5, 2003 (60 pages).
Country-of-Origin Labeling for Certain Foods--Survey Results. GAO-03-781SP, August 5, 2003 (1 page).
Budget and Spending
Budget Issues: Franchise Fund Pilot Review. GAO-03-1069, August 22, 2003 (51 pages).
Business, Industry, and Consumers
Accounting Firm Consolidation: Selected Large Public Company Views on Audit Fees, Quality, Independence, and Choice. GAO-03-1158, September 30, 2003 (51 pages).
Death Care Industry: Regulation Varies across States and by Industry Segment.
GAO-03-757, August 25, 2003 (62 pages).
Survey of State Regulators--Regulation of Funeral Homes, Cemeteries, Crematories, Pre-Need Sales of Funeral Plans, and Third-Party Sellers of Funeral Goods. GAO-03-831SP, August 25, 2003 (1 page).
Economic Development
Disaster Assistance: Federal Aid to the New York City Area Following the Attacks of September 11th and Challenges Confronting FEMA. GAO-03-1174T, September 24, 2003 (30 pages).
Disaster Assistance: Information on FEMA's Post 9/11 Public Assistance to the New York City Area. GAO-03-926, August 29, 2003 (42 pages).
Education
Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools: Expenditures in Selected Schools are Comparable to Similar Public Schools, But Data Are Insufficient to Judge Adequacy of Funding and Formulas. GAO-03-955, September 4, 2003 (57 pages).
Charter Schools: New Charter Schools Across the Country and in the District of Columbia Face Similar Start-Up Challenges. GAO-03-899, September 3, 2003 (38 pages).
Head Start: Curriculum Use and Individual Child Assessment in Cognitive and Language Development. GAO-03-1049, September 12, 2003 (33 pages).
Special Education: Numbers of Formal Disputes Are Generally Low and States Are Using Mediation and Other Strategies to Resolve Conflicts. GAO-03-897, September 9, 2003 (31 pages).
Employment
Employment Disputes: Recommendations to Better Ensure That Securities Arbitrators Are Qualified. GAO-03-790, August 29, 2003 (51 pages).
Energy
Nuclear Security: Federal and State Action Needed to Improve Security of Sealed Radioactive Sources. GAO-03-804, August 6, 2003 (119 pages).
Environmental Protection
Grants Management: EPA Needs to Strengthen Efforts to Address Persistent Challenges. GAO-03-846, August 29, 2003 (72 pages).
Hazardous Waste: EPA's Cleanup of the Eagle-Picher Henryetta, Oklahoma, Site.
GAO-03-1051R, September 5, 2003 (25 pages).
Superfund Program: Current Status and Future Fiscal Challenges. GAO-03-850, July 31, 2003 (39 pages).
Financial Institutions
Federal Home Loan Bank System: Key Loan Pricing Terms Can Differ Significantly.
GAO-03-973, September 8, 2003 (42 pages).
Financial Management
Federally Chartered Corporation: Review of the Financial Statement Audit Report for the American Council of Learned Societies for Fiscal Years 2002 and 2001. GAO-03-1122R, September 18, 2003 (2 pages).
Federally Chartered Corporation: Review of the Financial Statement Audit Report for the Fleet Reserve association for 2002. GAO-03-1123R, September 18, 2003 (2 pages).
Federally Chartered Corporation: Review of the Financial Statement Audit Report for the Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America for 2001 and 2000.
GAO-03-1124R, September 18, 2003 (2 pages).
Federally Chartered Corporation: Review of the Financial Statement Audit Report for the Military Order of the World Wars for Fiscal Years 2002 and 2001. GAO-03-1125R, September 18, 2003 (2 pages).
Federally Chartered Corporation: Review of the Financial Statement Audit Report for the National Academy of Public Administration for Fiscal Years 2002 and 2001.
GAO-03-1126R, September 18, 2003 (2 pages).
Federally Chartered Corporation: Review of the Financial Statement Audit Report for the National Society, Daughters of the American Colonists for Fiscal Years 2001-2003.
GAO-03-1127R, September 18, 2003 (2 pages).
Federally Chartered Corporation: Review of the Financial Statement Audit Report for the National Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic for Fiscal Years 1998-2002. GAO-03-1128R, September 18, 2003 (2 pages).
Federally Chartered Corporation: Review of the Financial Statement Audit Report for the Reserve Officers Association of the United States for Fiscal Years 2002 and 2001.
GAO-03-1129R, September 18, 2003 (2 pages).
Federally Chartered Corporation: Review of the Financial Statement Audit Report for the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War for Fiscal Years 1999-2002. GAO-03-1130R, September 18, 2003 (2 pages).
Financial Audit: Independent Counsel Expenditures for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2003. GAO-03-1098, September 30, 2003 (16 pages).
Financial Management: Sustained Effort Needed to Resolve Long-Standing Problems at U.S. Agency for International Development. GAO-03-1170T, September 24, 2003 (10 pages).
Forest Service Purchase Cards: Internal Control Weaknesses Resulted in Instances of Improper, Wasteful, and Questionable Purchases. GAO-03-786, August 11, 2003 (51 pages).
Government Operations
Contract Management: Civilian Agency Compliance with Revised Task and Delivery Order Regulations. GAO-03-983, August 29, 2003 (34 pages).
Facilities Location: Progress and Barriers in Selecting Rural Areas and Using Telework. GAO-03-1110T, September 4, 2003 (14 pages).
Freedom of Information Act: Agency Views on Changes Resulting from New Administration Policy. GAO-03-981, September 3, 2003 (38 pages).
GAO'S Proposed Human Capital Legislation: Views of the Employee Advisory Council. GAO-03-1162T, September 16, 2003 (11 pages).
GAO: Transformation Challenges, and Opportunities. GAO-03-1167T,
September 16, 2003 (84 pages).
Human Capital: DHS Personnel System Design Effort Provides for Collaboration and Employee Participation. GAO-03-1099, September 30, 2003 (38 pages).
Kennedy Center: Improvements Needed to Strengthen the Construction Process.
GAO-03-1141T, September 10, 2003 (6 pages).
Kennedy Center: Improvements Needed to Strengthen the Management and Oversight of the Construction Process. GAO-03-823, September 5, 2003 (20 pages).
Results-Oriented Government: Shaping the Government to Meet 21st Century Challenges. GAO-03-1168T, September 17, 2003 (26 pages).
Results-Oriented Government: Using GPRA to Address 21st Century Challenges.
GAO-03-1166T, September 18, 2003 (16 pages).
Health
Ambulance Services: Medicare Payments Can Be Better Targeted to Trips in Less Densely Populated Rural Areas. GAO-03-986, September 19, 2003 (36 pages).
Infectious Diseases: Gaps Remain in Surveillance Capabilities of State and Local Agencies. GAO-03-1176T, September 24, 2003 (17 pages).
Medicare: Modest Eligibility Expansion for Critical Access Hospital Program Should Be Considered. GAO-03-948, September 19, 2003 (35 pages).
Medicare: Modifying Payments for Certain Pathology Services Is Warranted.
GAO-03-1056, September 30, 2003 (27 pages).
Pediatric Drug Research: Food and Drug Administration Should More Efficiently Monitor Inclusion of Minority Children. GAO-03-950, September 26, 2003 (29 pages).
Prescription Drug Discount Cards: Savings Depend on Pharmacy and Type of Card Used. GAO-03-912, September 3, 2003 (19 pages).
Homeland Security
Airport Passenger Screening: Preliminary Observations on Progress Made and Challenges Remaining. GAO-03-1173,
September 24, 2003 (19 pages).
Aviation Security: Progress Since September 11, 2001, and the Challenges Ahead.
GAO-03-1150T, September 9, 2003 (48 pages).
Department of Homeland Security: Challenges and Steps in Establishing Sound Financial Management. GAO-03-1134T, September 10, 2003 (23 pages).
Homeland Security: Information Sharing Responsibilities, Challenges, and Key Management Issues. GAO-03-1165T, September 17, 2003 (54 pages).
Homeland Security: Reforming Federal Grants to Better Meet Outstanding Needs.
GAO-03-1146T, September 3, 2003 (20 pages).
Homeland Security: Risks Facing Key Border and Transportation Security Program Need to Be Addressed. GAO-03-1083, September 19, 2003 (98 pages).
Maritime Security: Progress Made in Implementing Maritime Transportation Security Act, but Concerns Remain. GAO-03-1155T September 9, 2003 (14 pages).
Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Oversight of Security at Commercial Nuclear Power Plants Needs to Be Strengthened. GAO-03-752, September 4, 2003 (35 pages).
Income Security
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: Single-Employer Pension Insurance Program Faces Significant Long-Term Risks. GAO-03-873T, September 4, 2003 (39 pages).
Social Security Administration: Subcommittee Questions Concerning Efforts to Automate the Disability Claims Process. GAO-03-1113R, September 5, 2003 (10 pages).
Social Security Numbers: Improved SSN Verification and Exchange of States' Driver Records Would Enhance Identity Verification. GAO-03-920, September 15, 2003 (35 pages).
Social Security: Proposed Totalization Agreement with Mexico Presents Unique Challenges. GAO-03-1035T, September 11, 2003 (14 pages).
Social Security: Proposed Totalization Agreement with Mexico Presents Unique Challenges. GAO-03-993, September 30, 2003 (30 pages).
Information Management
Bureau of Land Management: Plan Needed to Sustain Progress in Establishing IT Investment Management Capabilities. GAO-03-1025, September 12, 2003 (34 pages).
Electronic Government: Challenges to the Adoption of Smart Card Technology.
GAO-03-1108T, September 9, 2003 (18 pages).
Electronic Government: Progress and Challenges in Implementing the Office of Personnel Management's Initiatives. GAO-03-1169T, September 23, 2003 (29 pages).
File-Sharing Programs: Users of Peer-to-Peer Networks Can Readily Access Child Pornography. GAO-03-1115T, September 9, 2003 (20 pages).
Information Security: Challenges in Using Biometrics. GAO-03-1137T, September 9, 2003 (23 pages).
Information Security: Effective Patch Management is Critical to Mitigating Software Vulnerabilities. GAO-03-1138T, September 10, 2003 (20 pages).
Information Technology: Departmental Leadership Crucial to Success of Investment Reforms at Interior. GAO-03-1028, September 12, 2003 (46 pages).
Information Technology: FBI Needs an Enterprise Architecture to Guide Its Modernization Activities. GAO-03-959, September 25, 2003 (25 pages).
International Affairs
Export Credit Agencies: Movement Toward Common Environmental Guidelines, but National Differences Remain. GAO-03-1093, September 10, 2003 (51 pages).
Foreign Affairs: Effective Stewardship of Resources Essential to Efficient Operations at State Department, USAID. GAO-03-1009T, September 4, 2003 (24 pages).
Foreign Assistance: Strategic Workforce Planning Can Help USAID Address Current and Future Challenges. GAO-03-946, August 22, 2003 (32 pages).
Foreign Assistance: USAID Needs to Improve Its Workforce Planning and Operating Expense Accounting. GAO-03-1171T, September 23, 2003 (11 pages).
Overseas Presence: Rightsizing Is Key to Considering Relocation of Regional Staff to New Frankfurt Center. GAO-03-1061, September 2, 2003 (16 pages).
U.N. Peacekeeping: Transition Strategies for Post-Conflict Countries Lack Results-Oriented Measures of Progress. GAO-03-1071, September 26, 2003 (58 pages).
U.S. Public Diplomacy: State Department Expands Efforts but Faces Significant Challenges. GAO-03-951, September 4, 2003 (68 pages).
Justice and Law Enforcement
Security: Counterfeit Identification and Indentification Fraud Raise Security Concerns. GAO-03-1147T, September 9, 2003 (9 pages).
National Defense
Chemical Weapons: Sustained Leadership, Along With Key Strategic Management Tools, Is Needed to Guide DOD's Destruction Program. GAO-03-1031, September 5, 2003 (39 pages).
Chemical and Biological Defense: U.S. Ability to Meet Protective Suit Inventory Requirements Faces Risk. GAO-03-889C, September 1, 2003 (1 page).
Contract Management: High-Level Attention Needed to Transform DOD Services Acquisition. GAO-03-935, September 10, 2003 (24 pages).
DOD Business Systems Modernization: Important Progress Made to Develop Business Enterprise Architecture, but Much Work Remains. GAO-03-1018, September 19, 2003 (73 pages).
DOD Contract Payments: Management Action Needed to Reduce Billions in Adjustments to Contract Payment Records. GAO-03-727, August 8, 2003 (38 pages).
Defense Acquisitions: Improvements Needed in Space Systems Acquisition Management Policy. GAO-03-1073, September 15, 2003 (28 pages).
Defense Health Care: Quality Assurance Process Needed to Improve Force Health Protection and Surveillance. GAO-03-1041, September 19, 2003 (39 pages).
Depot Maintenance: DOD's 50-50 Reporting Should Be Streamlined. GAO-03-1023, September 15, 2003 (35 pages).
Military Aircraft: Observations on the Air Force's Plan to Lease Aerial Refueling Aircraft. GAO-03-1143T, September 3, 2003 (22 pages).
Military Aircraft: Observations on the Proposed Lease of Aerial Refueling Aircraft by the Air Force. GAO-03-923T, September 4, 2003 (22 pages).
Military Education: DOD Needs to Align Academy Preparatory Schools' Mission Statements with Overall Guidance and Establish Performance Goals. GAO-03-1017, September 10, 2003 (49 pages).
Military Education: DOD Needs to Enhance Performance Goals and Measures to Improve Oversight of Military Academies. GAO-03-1000, September 10, 2003 (41 pages).
Military Education: Student and Faculty Perceptions of Student Life at the Military Academies. GAO-03-1001, September 12, 2003 (95 pages).
Military Operations: Fiscal Year 2003 Obligations Are Substantial, but May Result in Less Obligations Than Expected. GAO-03-1088, September 17, 2003 (20 pages).
Military Personnel: DOD Needs More Data to Address Financial and Health Care Issues Affecting Reservists. GAO-03-1004, September 10, 2003 (75 pages).
Military Recruiting: DOD Needs to Establish Objectives and Measures to Better Evaluate Advertising's Effectiveness. GAO-03-1005, September 19, 2003 (31 pages).
Military Training: Strategic Planning and Distributive Learning Could Benefit the Special Operations Forces Foreign Language Program. GAO-03-1026, September 30, 2003 (44 pages).
Missile Defense: Additional Knowledge Needed in Developing System for Intercepting Long-Range Missiles. GAO-03-600, August 21, 2003 (40 pages).
Natural Resources
Endangered Species: Fish and Wildlife Service Uses Best Available Science to Make Listing Decisions, but Additional Guidance Needed for Critical Habitat Designations. GAO-03-803, August 29, 2003 (68 pages).
Invasive Species: State and Other Nonfederal Perspectives on Challenges to Managing the Problem. GAO-03-1089R, September 5, 2003 (40 pages).
National Park Service: Efforts Underway to Address Its Maintenance Backlog.
GAO-03-1177T, September 27, 2003 (8 pages).
National Wildlife Refuges: Opportunities to Improve the Management and Oversight of Oil and Gas Activities on Federal Lands. GAO-03-517, August 28, 2003 (67 pages).
Recreation Fees: Information on Forest Service Management of Revenue from the Fee Demonstration Program. GAO-03-1161T, September 17, 2003 (8 pages).
Wildland Fire Management: Additional Actions Required to Better Identify and Priorities Lands Needing Fuels Reduction. GAO-03-805, August 15, 2003 (60 pages).
Science, Space, and Technology
Geospatial Information: Technologies Hold Promise for Wildland Fire Management, but Challenges Remain. GAO-03-1047, September 23, 2003 (72 pages).
Social Services
Child Welfare: Enhanced Federal Oversight of Title IV-B Could Provide States Additional Information to Improve Services. GAO-03-956, September 12, 2003 (56 pages).
Social Security Administration: Disclosure Policy for Law Enforcement Allows Information Sharing, but SSA Needs to Ensure Consistent Application. GAO-03-919, September 30, 2003 (41 pages).
Welfare Reform: Information on TANF Balances. GAO-03-1094, September 8, 2003 (23 pages).
Tax Policy and Administration
Reliability of Information on Taxpayers Claiming Many Withholding Allowances or Exemption from Federal Income Tax Withholding. GAO-03-913R, September 15, 2003 (6 pages).
Transportation
Airport and Airway Trust Fund: Financial Outlook Is Positive, but the Trust Fund's Balance Would Be Affected If Taxes Were Suspended. GAO-03-979, September 15, 2003 (23 pages).
Aviation Safety: Information on FAA's Data on Operational Errors At Air Traffic Control Towers. GAO-03-1175R, September 23, 2003 (3 pages).
Transportation Security: Federal Action Needed to Enhance Security Efforts.
GAO-03-1154T, September 9, 2003 (45 pages).
Veterans Affairs
VA Benefits: Fundamental Changes to VA's Disability Criteria Need Careful Consideration. GAO-03-1172T, September 23, 2003 (6 pages).
Veterans' Benefits: Improvements Needed in the Reporting and Use of Data on the Accuracy of Disability Claims Decisions. GAO-03-1045, September 30, 2003 (15 pages).
Legal Products: Decisions and Opinions
Carmon Construction, Inc.. B-292387, B-292387.3, September 5, 2003 (4 pages).
Computer Associates International, Inc.. B-292077.2, September 4, 2003 (6 pages).
Cybernet Systems Corporation. B-292600, September 30, 2003 (3 pages).
DataTrak Consulting, Inc.. B-292502, B-292502.2, B-292503, B-292503.2, September 26, 2003 (5 pages).
Fairness In Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2003. B-301397, September 4, 2003 (4 pages).
Ronald W. Brown. B-292646, September 30, 2003 (2 pages).
Shubhada, Inc. B-292437, September 18, 2003 (4 pages).
Strategic Analysis, Inc.. B-292392, B-292392.2, September 3, 2003 (4 pages).
Legal Products: Federal Agency Major Rules
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Medicaid Program; Time Limitation on Price Recalculations and Recordkeeping Requirements Under the Drug Rebate Program. GAO-03-1157R, September 15, 2003 (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-03-1144R, September 8, 2003 (4 pages).
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations. GAO-03-1140R, September 8, 2003 (4 pages).
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 2003-04 Early Season. GAO-03-1149R, September 12, 2003 (4 pages).
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