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Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Planning and Cost Estimates for Long-Term Support of Ballistic Missile Defense

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) has spent a total of over $115 billion since the mid-1980s to develop a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) comprised of land, air, and sea-based elements--such as missiles and radars--working together as an integrated system. Since the cost to operate and support a weapon system usually accounts for most of a system's lifetime costs, the resources needed to fund BMDS… more
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Nuclear Material: DOE Needs to Take Action to Reduce Risks Before Processing Additional Nuclear Material at the Savannah River Site's H-Canyon

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "During the Cold War, the Department of Energy (DOE) produced nuclear materials for nuclear weapons at its Savannah River Site (SRS) by dissolving highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel from reactors in a facility known as H-Canyon. DOE planned to end H-Canyon operations in 2007 but now plans to continue H-Canyon operations until 2019 to process additional nuclear material. GAO was asked to (1) identify t… more
Date: July 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Traffic Safety: Improved Reporting and Performance Measures Would Enhance Evaluation of High-Visibility Campaigns

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Two primary risk behaviors related to fatal traffic crashes are failure to use safety belts and driving while impaired by alcohol. High-visibility enforcement (HVE) campaigns that combine enforcement of a traffic safety law with media to inform the public about the campaign are effective in reducing these behaviors. In 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy … more
Date: April 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Information Security: Protecting Personally Identifiable Information

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The loss of personally identifiable information can result in substantial harm, embarrassment, and inconvenience to individuals and may lead to identity theft or other fraudulent use of the information. As shown in prior GAO reports, compromises to such information and long-standing weaknesses in federal information security raise important questions about what steps federal agencies should take to prev… more
Date: January 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Motor Fuels: Stakeholder Views on Compensating for the Effects of Gasoline Temperature on Volume at the Pump

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The volume, but not the energy content, of hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, varies in response to changes in temperature. Thus, because of expansion, the energy content per gallon of 90 degree fuel is less than that of 60 degree fuel. States and localities adopt and enforce weights and measures regulations, often using the model regulatory standards published by the National Institute of … more
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Energy Markets: Analysis of More Past Mergers Could Enhance Federal Trade Commission's Efforts to Maintain Competition in the Petroleum Industry

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "During the late 1990s, many petroleum companies merged to stay profitable while crude oil prices were low, and in recent years mergers have continued. Congress and others have concerns about the impact mergers might be having on competition in U.S. petroleum markets. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has the authority to maintain competition in the petroleum industry and reviews proposed mergers to det… more
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Defense Acquisitions: DOD's Requirements Determination Process Has Not Been Effective in Prioritizing Joint Capabilities

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Increasing combat demands and fiscal constraints make it critical for the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that its weapon system investments not only meet the needs of the warfighter, but make the most efficient use of available resources. GAO's past work has shown that achieving this balance has been a challenge and weapon programs have often experienced cost growth and delayed delivery to the wa… more
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Information Sharing Environment: Definition of the Results to Be Achieved in Improving Terrorism-Related Information Sharing Is Needed to Guide Implementation and Assess Progress

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The attacks on 9/11 underscored the federal government's need to facilitate terrorism-related information sharing among government, private sector, and foreign stakeholders. In response, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 mandated the creation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE), which is described as an approach for the sharing of terrorism-related information. A pres… more
Date: June 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Natural Catastrophe Insurance: Analysis of a Proposed Combined Federal Flood and Wind Insurance Program

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Disputes between policyholders and insurers after the 2005 hurricanes highlight the challenges of determining the cause and extent of damages when properties are subject to both high winds and flooding. Additionally, insurers want to reduce their exposure in high-risk areas, and state wind insurance programs have grown significantly. H.R. 3121, the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007, w… more
Date: April 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Space Acquisitions: DOD Is Making Progress to Rapidly Deliver Low Cost Space Capabilities, but Challenges Remain

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) invests heavily in space assets to provide the warfighter with intelligence, navigation, and other information critical to conducting military operations. In fiscal year 2008 alone, DOD expects to spend over $22 billion dollars on space systems. Despite this investment, senior military commanders have reported shortfalls in tactical space capabilities in each recent major… more
Date: April 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Public Transportation: Improvements Are Needed to More Fully Assess Predicted Impacts of New Starts Projects

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Through the New Starts program, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) evaluates and recommends new fixed guideway transit projects for funding using the evaluation criteria identified in law. In August 2007, FTA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), in part, to incorporate certain provisions within the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAF… more
Date: July 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Native Hawaiian Education Act: Greater Oversight Would Increase Accountability and Enable Targeting of Funds to Areas with Greatest Need

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Native Hawaiian Education Act (NHEA) seeks to develop innovative educational programs to assist Native Hawaiians. The Department of Education (Education) administers NHEA and has provided grants for a wide range of activities. Education is authorized to establish a Native Hawaiian Education Council and seven island councils to help implement NHEA. To inform reauthorization, GAO was asked to analyze … more
Date: March 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Northern Border Security: DHS's Report Could Better Inform Congress by Identifying Actions, Resources, and Time Frames Needed to Address Vulnerabilities

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Covering nearly 4,000 miles of land and water from Washington to Maine, the U.S.-Canadian border is the longest undefended border in the world. Various Department of Homeland Security (DHS) component agencies share responsibility for northern border security, primarily U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in collaboration with other federal, state, local, tribal, and Canadian entities. The Implemen… more
Date: November 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Asylum System: Significant Variation Existed in Asylum Outcomes across Immigration Courts and Judges

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Each year, tens of thousands of people who have been persecuted or fear persecution in their home countries apply for asylum in the United States. Immigration judges (IJ) from the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) decide whether to grant or deny asylum to aliens in removal proceedings. Those denied asylum may appeal their case to EOIR's Board of Immigration App… more
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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State Department: Comprehensive Strategy Needed to Improve Passport Operations

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In 2007, following the implementation of new document requirements for travelers entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere, the Department of State (State) received a record number of passport applications. In June 2009 further document requirements are scheduled to go into effect and will likely lead to another surge in passport demand. GAO examined (1) the extent to which State was… more
Date: July 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Elections: States, Territories, and the District Are Taking a Range of Important Steps to Manage Their Varied Voting System Environments

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Our Nation's overall election system depends on all levels of government and the interplay of people, processes, and technology, which includes the voting systems that are used during an election. GAO has previously reported on issues and challenges associated with ensuring that voting systems are secure and reliable. The states, territories, and the District of Columbia (District) each play a pivotal r… more
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Export Controls: Challenges with Commerce's Validated End-User Program May Limit Its Ability to Ensure That Semiconductor Equipment Exported to China Is Used as Intended

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Semiconductors are key components in weapons systems and consumer electronics. Since semiconductors have both civilian and military applications, U.S. export control policy treats the equipment and materials used to manufacture semiconductors as "dual-use" items, and controls the export of these items through licensing requirements to sensitive destinations such as China. You requested that we update ou… more
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Tax Compliance: Businesses Owe Billions in Federal Payroll Taxes

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "GAO previously reported that federal contractors abuse the tax system with little consequence. While performing those audits, GAO noted that much of the tax abuse involved contractors not remitting to the government payroll taxes that were withheld from salaries. As a result, GAO was asked to review the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) processes and procedures to prevent and collect unpaid payroll taxes… more
Date: July 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Defense Contracting: Contract Risk a Key Factor in Assessing Excessive Pass-Through Charges

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "One-third of the Department of Defense's (DOD) fiscal year 2006 spending on goods and services was for subcontracts. Concerns have been raised among DOD auditors and Congress about the potential for excessive pass- through charges by contractors that add little or no value when work is subcontracted. To better understand this risk, Congress mandated that GAO assess the extent to which DOD may be vulnera… more
Date: January 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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U.S. Asylum System: Agencies Have Taken Actions to Help Ensure Quality in the Asylum Adjudication Process, but Challenges Remain

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Each year, tens of thousands of noncitizens apply in the United States for asylum, which provides refuge to those who have been persecuted or fear persecution. Asylum officers (AO) in the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and immigration judges (IJ) in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) assess applican… more
Date: September 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Supply Chain Security: Examinations of High-Risk Cargo at Foreign Seaports Have Increased, but Improved Data Collection and Performance Measures Are Needed

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Container Security Initiative (CSI) aims to identify and examine high-risk U.S.-bound cargo at foreign seaports. GAO reported in 2003 and 2005 that CSI helped to enhance homeland security, and recommended actions to strengthen the program. This report updates information and assesses how CBP has (1) contributed to strategic planning for supply chain security, (2) st… more
Date: January 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Utility Oversight: Recent Changes in Law Call for Improved Vigilance by FERC

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA 1935) and other laws, federal agencies and state commissions have traditionally regulated utilities to protect consumers from supply disruptions and unfair pricing. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) repealed PUHCA 1935, removing some limitations on the companies that could merge with or invest in utilities, leaving the Federal Energy Regula… more
Date: February 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Supply Chain Security: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Has Enhanced Its Partnership with Import Trade Sectors, but Challenges Remain in Verifying Security Practices

Description: A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for ensuring the security of cargo containers shipped into the United States. To strike a balance between security and commerce, CBP oversees the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, or C-TPAT program. As part of this program, CBP aims to secure the supply chain--the flow of goods from manufacturers to retailers--through partnerships with i… more
Date: April 25, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Other Transaction (OT) Authority

Description: An "other transaction" (OT) is a special vehicle used by federal agencies for obtaining or advancing research and development (R&D) or prototypes. Generally, the reason for creating OT authority is that the government needs to obtain leading-edge R&D (and prototypes) from commercial sources, but some companies (and other entities) are unwilling or unable to comply with the government's procurement regulations. Evaluating OTs and the use of OT authority is a challenging undertaking. This report … more
Date: November 25, 2008
Creator: Halchin, L. Elaine
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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