In Fiscal Year 2004, BIS continued to improve its performance goals and measures by continuing the practice of focusing on outcome rather than output measures, and measuring performance that is under BIS control. Also, BIS continued its data validation program to ensure that its performance data are accurate, complete, reliable, and timely. Data validation has received increased emphasis as the Department of Commerce initiated requirements for individual bureau certification of performance results, and the use of performance data to evaluate senior executive performance.
In Fiscal Year 2004, the Export Administration Program was evaluated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) using OMB's Performance and Assessment Rating Tool (PART). PART assessments are designed to link organizational performance to budget decisions and provide a basis for making recommendations to improve program results. BIS has actively participated in this process working closely with OMB to provide information and explain the export licensing process.
BIS continued to refine its Monthly Performance Measurement Reporting System. A monthly report is provided to the Under Secretary and senior executives on both the Government Performance and Results, and internal performance measures. This report is used to monitor the performance of BIS programs and senior executives in meeting the Bureau's performance targets.
BIS also has supported the President's Management Agenda (PMA), particularly Strategic Management of Human Capital, Budget and Performance Integration, and Electronic Government (E-Gov).
For example, after completing a thorough workload analysis, in Fiscal Year 2004 BIS developed a plan for reorganizing its activities to carry out its export administration and enforcement responsibilities more effectively. BIS also partnered with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in Fiscal Year 2004 to develop the Succession Plan to prepare today's managers to be tomorrow's leaders.
For budget and performance integration, BIS has complied with OMB's guidance to develop performance based budgets. For example, BIS's Fiscal Year 2006 budget contains two initiatives that are clearly tied to the Bureau's performance goals and measures. In addition, OMB stated in the PART, "Budget requests are integrated with performance goals and describe the anticipated effects of resource requirements on performance."
For the EGov initiative, BIS posted an ECommerce section on its Web site, completed certification and accreditation on all BIS operational information technology systems, upgraded Simplified Network Application Process (SNAP) hardware to improve reliability, replaced dialup connections to ECASS (Export Control Automated Support System) with secure encrypted lines, completed an initial pilot to provide Web interface to ECASS for licensing officers, launched projects for upgrading existing ECASS, created capability to download antiboycott forms from the BIS Web site, upgraded existing SNAP interface to exporters, defined a concept of operations for an upgraded ECASS that will support a streamlined licensingdecision process, and deployed new software and hardware platforms for the System for Tracking Export License Applications.
BIS also supports the Competitive Sourcing and Improved Financial Performance Initiatives. Annually, BIS performs a topdown review of all its positions and functions annually in accordance with the Federal Activities Inventory Report (FAIR) Act. Because BIS is a small organization with two primary functions, licensing and enforcement, that are inherently governmental, there is not much flexibility for outsourcing. Regarding BIS's financial performance, OMB stated in the PART, "Program funds are administered efficiently and in accordance with intended purposes and planned schedules." OMB also stated in the PART, "The financial management system used to provide BIS's accounting and financial information meets statutory requirements. Financial information is provided both accurately and timely. Financial planning and performance management support daytoday operations, and program resources are focused to meet performance goals including licensing processing times, publishing regulations, and outreach to exporters to meet the needs of license applicants."
BIS continues to work with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) on their studies of our programs and control systems, as well as to address all audit findings and recommendations.
The GAO completed five studies that dealt with BIS programs in Fiscal Year 2004, including: (1) Nonproliferation: Improvements Needed to Better Control Technology Exports for Cruise Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; (2) Nonproliferation: Delays in Implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention Raise Concern About Proliferation; (3) Department of State: Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs Follow Legal Authority, But Some Activities Need Reassessment; (4) Transfer of Budgetary Resources to the Department of Homeland Security; and (5) Export Controls: Post Shipment Verification Provides Limited Assurance That Dual-Use Items Are Being Properly Used.
At the end of the Fiscal Year 2004, one GAO study addressing BIS programs and activities is ongoing. In addition, a final report of GAO's review of the implementation by BIS and other agencies of the Exon-Florio Amendment to the Defense Production Act is anticipated in Fiscal Year 2005.
Three OIG reviews addressing BIS programs and activities were completed during FY 2004, including: (1) Annual Follow-Up Report on Previous Export Control Recommendations, as Mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000; (2) Deemed Exports May Not Stop the Transfer of Sensitive Technology to Foreign National in the United States; and (3) Interagency Review of Foreign National Access to Export-Controlled Technology in the United States.
At the end of Fiscal Year 2004, two OIG studies addressing BIS programs and activities are ongoing, including: (1) Foreign Commercial Service operations in India, and (2) Effectiveness of the Export Control Process for Chemical and Biological Dual-Use Commodities.
BIS processed 76 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for export licensing and enforcement, and other types of management information. BIS processed two Court requests for information, both related to bankruptcy filings.
Provision of the Latest Technology to Employees to Increase Efficiency in Completing Mission Essential Functions While Ensuring Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of Information System Resources
In Fiscal Year 2004, BIS continued to provide specialized Information Technology (IT) security training for IT employees and contractors using the Department's Automated Learning Management System. BIS also provided annual IT Security Awareness training to all of its employees and contractors.
BIS reviewed certification and accreditation documentation and wrote operational procedures for the IT systems the agency administers. BIS developed and deployed a new network change management system to document internal change requests to its Bureau communications infrastructure. BIS enhanced IT security controls by deploying automated log monitoring software on critical servers. BIS also established a remote data center to host new Web applications that are being developed and serve as a site for disaster recovery operations.
These enhanced IT security controls and updated policies successfully raised the BIS-wide IT security program from a level 2 in 2003, to a level 3, based on the methodologies found in the NIST Special Publication (800-26), "Self-Assessment Guide for Information Technology (IT) Systems."
Technological Advances
In 2004, BIS continued its migration to the Herbert C. Hoover Building network (HCHBnet) by moving all its wide-area network telecommunications links and the majority of its servers to the new, faster network. BIS also upgraded the e-mail system and installed spam filtering software.
BIS is committed to effectively serving the public by implementing improved information technology services to support business processes for employees and customers.