tldrdaily.news logo
Tag

Government Accountability Office

All articles tagged with #government accountability office

technology2 years ago

"Government Watchdog Identifies AI Plan Gap and Potential Applications"

The US government is planning to expand its use of artificial intelligence (AI), but a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) warns that it lacks a comprehensive plan for acquiring and responsibly using AI technology from the private sector. The report highlights the potential risks and benefits of AI, including concerns about security, algorithmic biases, and threats to national security. The GAO's survey of federal agencies reveals that AI is already being used in over 200 ways, with more than 500 planned applications. However, the lack of government-wide standards and inconsistent policies on AI use pose challenges to the welfare and security of the American public. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has yet to issue guidance on AI procurement, contributing to the inconsistent implementation of AI practices across agencies. The report also identifies shortcomings in agencies' approaches to AI and the need for updated plans and forecasts.

via CNN|
#ai#ai-policies#federal-agencies
agriculture2 years ago

"Government Report Exposes Massive Insurance Subsidies for Big Farmers"

A Government Accountability Office report reveals that large farmers received millions of dollars in federal crop insurance subsidies, with some receiving over $3 million each. The federal crop insurance program, which aims to protect farmers against natural disasters and poor yields, saw its cost reach $17.3 billion in 2022, with $3.7 billion paid to insurance companies and agents. The report also highlights that the program lacks income or payment limits, allowing wealthy farmers to receive substantial subsidies regardless of their income. Critics argue that the program disproportionately benefits large farms while smaller farmers struggle to afford participation. The report recommends reducing subsidies for high-income farmers and adjusting compensation to insurance companies to align with market rates.

via The New York Times|
#agricultural-associations#agriculture#crop-insurance
politics2 years ago

GAO Confirms Julie Su's Legitimate Role as Acting Labor Secretary

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has determined that Julie Su can continue serving as the acting head of the US Department of Labor indefinitely, clarifying that her status is legal and in line with the original law establishing the department. The GAO's decision comes after months of accusations from Republicans that her temporary leadership is unconstitutional. This ruling gives the Biden administration the green light to keep Su as the leader of the DOL until the end of Biden's first term, despite lacking Senate confirmation. It also dismisses threats from Republicans and business groups that Su's actions as acting secretary could face legal challenges.

via Bloomberg Law|
#acting-labor-secretary#biden-administration#government-accountability-office
environment2 years ago

Environmental and Cultural Devastation: Trump's Border Wall Leaves a Trail of Destruction

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report stating that the construction of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border during the Trump administration caused "significant damage and destruction" to the environment and cultural sites. The wall's construction hampered the migration of endangered species, eroded federal lands, disrupted water flow, and irreparably damaged sacred tribal sites. The report also highlighted the replacement of existing barriers with narrower pedestrian barriers, obstructing wildlife passage. The construction has damaged native vegetation, affected drainage during heavy rain, and harmed historic and sacred sites. President Joe Biden's decision to halt the construction exacerbated the negative impacts. The GAO recommended that Customs and Border Protection work with the Interior Department to develop a strategy to mitigate the barriers' impacts on resources.

via NBC News|
#border-wall#cultural-destruction#environment
space2 years ago

NASA Acknowledges Unaffordability of SLS Mega Moon Rocket

NASA officials have admitted that the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket program is unaffordable, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. The report raises concerns about NASA's lack of transparency regarding the true costs of the SLS program and its decision not to measure production costs accurately. It also highlights the failure to account for delays to Artemis missions and the need for cost-saving goals. While NASA aims to reduce costs through stabilizing the flight schedule, achieving learning curve efficiencies, encouraging innovation, and adjusting acquisition strategies, it remains uncertain whether these measures will be effective. Additionally, the report questions the claimed cost reductions of the SLS rocket's main engines, as they still remain significantly more expensive than engines produced by commercial competitors.

via Ars Technica|
#affordability#cost#government-accountability-office
politicsenvironment2 years ago

Assessing the Cultural and Environmental Impact of Trump's Border Wall

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report stating that the border wall championed by former President Donald Trump caused significant damage to the environment and Native American cultural sites. The construction of the 450-mile barrier disregarded environmental and historic preservation laws, resulting in harm to endangered species, disrupted water flow, and destruction of sacred sites. The report also highlighted negative effects caused by the Biden administration's pause on construction, including incomplete drainage systems and unfinished reclamation work. The GAO recommended that Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) evaluate the impacts of the barrier and work with the Interior Department to implement mitigation actions, with input from tribes and communities along the border. CBP and Interior have agreed to implement the recommendations.

via POLITICO|
#border-wall#endangered-species#environmental-damage
defense2 years ago

Auditors uphold $9 billion JLTV contract loss despite Oshkosh protest.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has rejected Oshkosh Defense's protest of the US Army's decision to award a nearly $9 billion contract to AM General to build Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. Oshkosh had taken issue with the Army's evaluation of its technical, price and cost proposals as well as with the Army's evaluation of AM General's submission. The GAO concluded that the Army reasonably evaluated proposals in accordance with the RFP's evaluation criteria, and that any judgments made were consistent with and adequately supported by the content provided in written proposals or observed as part of site visits conducting during the course of the solicitation process.

via Defense News|
#am-general#defense#government-accountability-office
defense2 years ago

Oshkosh's protest over JLTV contract denied by GAO.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has denied Oshkosh Defense's protest over the $9.7bn Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) production deal with AM General, allowing the Army to proceed with the contract. Oshkosh had disputed the agency's evaluation of AM General's price and cost proposal, arguing that the service "unreasonably and unequally" conducted discussions. The JLTV A2 production facility should be completed around August 2023, with the first JLTV A2 test vehicles expected to roll off the production line around July 2024.

via Breaking Defense|
#am-general#army#defense
military2 years ago

Separating Engine Upgrade from F-35 Program Urged by GAO.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has urged Congress to separate the F-35's propulsion upgrade from the rest of the program to better track its scope, schedule, and cost. The Pentagon has previously declined GAO's suggestion to break out the engine upgrade element of the F-35 program as a separate undertaking. Meanwhile, engine-maker Pratt & Whitney added its own suggestion that the F-35 Joint Program Office decide quickly how it wants to meet the fighter's rapidly-growing power and cooling needs, so the company can adjust its planned Engine Core Upgrade to better mesh with those requirements.

via Air & Space Forces Magazine|
#engine-upgrade#f-35#government-accountability-office
transportation2 years ago

Airlines Blamed for Majority of Flight Cancellations in New Report

A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that airlines are responsible for most flight cancellations, including those caused by maintenance issues or lack of crew. The GAO also found that airlines are taking longer to recover from disruptions such as storms. The report was requested by Republican leaders of the House Transportation Committee. Airlines have clashed with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over blame for high rates of canceled and delayed flights in the past two years.

via NPR|
#air-travel#airlines#flight-cancellations
transportation2 years ago

Airlines Blamed for Majority of Flight Cancellations in New Report

A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that airlines are responsible for most flight cancellations, including those caused by maintenance issues or lack of crew. The GAO also found that airlines are taking longer to recover from disruptions such as storms. The report was requested by Republican leaders of the House Transportation Committee. Airlines have clashed with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over blame for high rates of canceled and delayed flights in the past two years.

via The Associated Press|
#airlines#budget-airlines#flight-cancellations
business2 years ago

The Impact of Rising Food Prices on Consumers and the Food Industry.

Supermarket prices in the US have risen at the fastest rate in decades, with staples like eggs and bread becoming unaffordable for some. A report from the Government Accountability Office breaks down the various pressures on food prices, with higher costs for animal feed and fertilizer contributing to steeper prices for farmers, while shortages of packaging materials impacted the food-processing stage. The largest component of food production was food processing, which took 25 cents out of every food dollar, followed by retail trade. The report doesn't separate out profits, but research suggests they are a substantial component of inflation.

via CBS News|
#business#food-prices#government-accountability-office
defense2 years ago

Lockheed's protest of Textron's Army helicopter deal denied by GAO.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has denied Sikorsky-Boeing's protest against the US Army's decision to award Bell Textron the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract. The GAO concluded that the Army reasonably evaluated Sikorsky's proposal as technically unacceptable. The Army and Bell Textron are now cleared to proceed with the V-280 Valor tiltrotor as the new FLRAA. The Sikorsky-Boeing team said it still believes that it submitted the "most capable, affordable and lowest-risk" design and is not ready to give up on the deal worth up to $70 billion.

via Breaking Defense|
#army#bell-textron#defense