GAO

Space Acquisitions: Analysis of Two DOD Reports to Congress

What GAO Found The Department of Defense (DOD) makes significant investments in space capabilities to meet the nation’s security, economic, and logistical needs. DOD’s space programs—now led by the U.S. Space Force—continue to face many development challenges, which GAO has reported on for several decades. DOD has made various changes to policies that govern its acquisitions. In one such change in January 2020, DOD reissued its foundational acquisition policy, establishing the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, which emphasizes speed and agility in the acquisition process. In response to statutory mandates, the Department of the Air Force (DAF), under which the Space Force is organized, and DOD each released a report that addressed elements to improve DOD space acquisition programs. In May 2020, the DAF transmitted its report on an alternative acquisition system for the Space Force to congressional committees. The report described nine features of the DAF’s proposed space-specific acquisition system, several of which DOD subsequently implemented. In September 2022, DOD published its final report on applying the Adaptive Acquisition Framework to space systems acquisitions and addressed eight required areas of focus. A Falcon 9 Rocket Launches a Satellite from the Space Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Collectively, the acquisition system elements addressed in the reports were aimed at improving the acquisition process for space programs and fell into three categories: acquisitions, budgeting, and requirements. Summary of Proposed Acquisition System Elements in Department of the Air Force Report and DOD Report, by Category Acquisitions Budgeting Requirements Milestone decision authority delegation Separate Space Force budget Modified joint capabilities integration and development system approach New start letter notification proposals Line-Item restructure — List of programs for alternative space acquisition pathways Codification of efficient space procurement — New space acquisition pathway — — Useable end item determination — — Space Force Head of Contracting Activity — — Legend:  — = not applicable Source: GAO analysis of Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense (DOD) information. | GAO-24-106984 GAO found that some of the elements discussed in the two reports align with GAO’s prior findings and recommendations, although the DAF and DOD are no longer pursuing other elements. For example, both reports proposed a new space acquisition pathway to help better manage space acquisition efforts. While GAO has not commented specifically on a space pathway under the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, GAO has noted challenges with developing and acquiring space systems. For instance, in GAO-21-520T, GAO noted that specific characteristics of space programs, such as the cost and complexity of space systems, can cause complications in the acquisition process and have posed challenges to DOD, including schedule delays and cost increases, among others. However, according to DOD officials, the department is no longer pursuing such a pathway because it is not needed due to changes in the way DOD is planning to acquire future space capabilities. As DOD develops the Space Force, it has the opportunity to leverage prior GAO recommendations to strengthen Space Force acquisitions. Why GAO Did This Study The DAF and DOD each produced a report on space acquisition processes. House Report 116-442 and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 include provisions for GAO to review those reports. GAO assessed how elements included in the DAF and DOD reports align with GAO’s prior work and address identified challenges to acquiring space systems. To conduct this work, GAO reviewed and analyzed the reports and compared them to its relevant work on leading practices in acquisitions, weapon system acquisitions, and other related topics. GAO reviewed supporting documentation and interviewed DOD officials. GAO also summarized and updated work previously briefed to congressional committees in 2020 and 2021. For more information, contact Jon Ludwigson at (202) 512-4841 or ludwigsonj@gao.gov.

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Military Readiness: Comprehensive Approach Needed to Address Service Member Fatigue and Manage Related Efforts

What GAO Found Many service members are not getting the Department of Defense (DOD) recommended 7 or more hours of sleep each day. The department's overarching fatigue-related guidance emphasizes service members obtain at least 7 hours of sleep for optimal performance and readiness. For over a decade, DOD surveys have found that the majority of service members report sleeping 6 or fewer hours per night. Respondents to GAO's nongeneralizable survey cited similar issues. For example, many respondents are sleeping too little, and roughly half of respondents have poor sleep quality regardless of quantity. Survey respondents provided examples of how sleep deprivation has affected their work, from nearly colliding with another aircraft to falling asleep on the job. Service Members on How Sleep Deprivation Has Affected Their Work DOD and the services have taken steps to address fatigue-related issues, such as developing guidance on fatigue management, but DOD faces oversight and enterprise-wide collaboration challenges in managing fatigue. Oversight structure limitations. DOD has not identified and delegated sufficient oversight authority at the department level, and the military services have not assigned leadership to oversee service-level efforts. Without an assessment of DOD's oversight structure and assigning DOD and service-level leadership, DOD will be hindered in its efforts to limit and manage fatigue across the department. Fragmented fatigue-related research. GAO identified nearly 130 fatigue-related research projects the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force conducted from 2017 to 2023. Forty-eight of these projects studied the use of wearable devices to track sleep data among other uses, with many of them using the same type of technology or even the same model. Establishing a list of all fatigue-related research will help DOD gain visibility and reduce any fragmentation that may exist, potentially leading to cost savings. Wearable Device Use Across Services for Fatigue-Related Research, 2017—2023 Why GAO Did This Study Fatigue caused by inadequate sleep can negatively affect a service member's performance and has contributed to accidents resulting in deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to ships, vehicles, and aircraft. DOD recognizes that impairment from fatigue can be equivalent to the effects of alcohol intoxication and significantly increases the risk of physical injury. House Report 117-118, which accompanied a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, includes a provision for GAO to review DOD's efforts to limit sleep deprivation and manage fatigue across the military services. Among other things, this report assesses the extent to which (1) service members are getting adequate sleep and (2) DOD has addressed and managed service member fatigue. GAO analyzed fatigue-related policies and guidance; interviewed cognizant officials; and surveyed service members from selected occupations, including pilots, aviation maintenance personnel, missileers, and motor vehicle operators.

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Improper Payments: Information on Agencies' Fiscal Year 2023 Estimates

What GAO Found For fiscal year 2023, 14 agencies reported a total estimated $236 billion in improper payments across 71 programs. Agencies reported that about $175 billion (over 74 percent) of this total was the result of overpayments. About $186 billion (approximately 79 percent) was concentrated in five program areas. However, the $236 billion total does not include certain programs that agencies have determined are susceptible to significant improper payments, such as the Department of Health and Human Services' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The Department of Housing and Urban Development also did not report improper payment estimates for the Office of Public and Indian Housing's Tenant Based Rental Assistance program and the Office of Multifamily Housing's Project-Based Rental Assistance program. As a result, the government-wide estimate potentially does not represent the full extent of improper payments. Programs Reporting the Largest Percentage of Government-Wide Improper Payments Estimates for Fiscal Year 2023 Agencies reported about $11 billion less in improper payments in fiscal year 2023 than they did the prior fiscal year. Those agencies that reported substantial decreases attributed the declines to factors such as terminating certain programs, implementing mitigation strategies, and suspending eligibility determinations for Medicaid during COVID-19. The Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) M-21-19 include criteria that executive branch agencies must comply with in assessing risk and estimating and reporting improper payments. In fiscal year 2022, 14 of the 24 Chief Financial Officers Act agencies fully complied with PIIA criteria and related OMB requirements, according to their inspectors general (IG). This was an increase from fiscal year 2021, when 10 agencies were reported compliant. IGs identified various causes for agencies' noncompliance with these criteria, such as inadequate risk assessments and unreliable estimates. Why GAO Did This Study Improper payments—those that should not have been made or were made in the incorrect amount—have consistently been a government-wide issue. Since fiscal year 2003, cumulative improper payment estimates by executive branch agencies have totaled about $2.7 trillion. Reducing improper payments is critical to safeguarding federal funds. GAO has reported on improper payments in its audit reports on the U.S. government's consolidated financial statements since fiscal year 1997. GAO has found that these payments represent a material deficiency or weakness in internal controls. Specifically, GAO has noted that the federal government is unable to determine the full extent of its improper payments or to reasonably assure that appropriate actions are taken to reduce them. House Report 117-389, which accompanied the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2023, includes a provision for GAO to provide quarterly reports on improper payments. This is GAO's fifth such report, and it provides an overview of federal agencies' reported improper payment estimates for fiscal year 2023. Additionally, this report discusses agencies' compliance with legal requirements for reporting and managing improper payments. For more information, contact M. Hannah Padilla at (202) 512-5683 or padillah@gao.gov.

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Science & Tech Spotlight: At-Home Tools to Diagnose Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Related Diseases

Why This Matters Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s can make day-to-day tasks challenging because they may affect cognitive, motor, and social function. Neurodegenerative diseases affect about 7 million people in the U.S. Researchers expect cases to increase as the population ages. Earlier detection of these diseases may help health care providers treat patients before the onset of severe symptoms and slow disease progression. Key Takeaways At-home tools may facilitate earlier detection of neurodegenerative diseases. These tools can be a cost-effective way to collect information that is difficult to gather in a clinical setting. Health care providers can use information from at-home tools to help diagnose neurodegenerative disease, but such tools are not a replacement for clinical care. The Technology What is it? At-home tools collect and analyze patient data on certain indicators that relate to cognitive ability—memory, reasoning, and language—and motor function. This includes walking, writing, stability, and the presence of tremors. Tools such as digital cognitive assessments and wearable sensors have the potential to help health care providers detect and diagnose neurodegenerative diseases earlier and more accurately. The tools help assess patients in an environment more reflective of daily life, detect indicators that are challenging to observe in a clinical setting, and collect data on patients’ health over time. Traditional diagnostic approaches—which occur in a clinical setting such as a physician’s office—can be more invasive, less convenient, and may not identify these symptoms until the disease is more advanced. Figure 1: Patient and health care provider use of at-home tools How does it work? Digital cognitive assessments use web- or application-based technologies to gather data on a patient’s cognitive abilities. For example, one activity asks patients to memorize objects and their position in a pictured room. Wearable sensors worn on or near the body measure a range of indicators. Sensors on the hands, wrists, or ankles can collect data on the speed and direction of movements—such as hand tremors, sway, or postural adjustments—that may be indicative of neurodegenerative disease. Smartphones equipped with movement sensors can collect similar data when worn near the body. Researchers found that smartphone sensors can identify whether a person exhibits symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease based on the way they move. How mature is it? Multiple manufacturers of digital cognitive assessments—which could be administered at-home—have registered with the Food and Drug Administration. However, such at-home assessments are not widely commercially available, and more research is needed on their accuracy. Wearable sensors vary in their maturity and use. Specifically, sensors worn on the body are an established tool to assess mobility. Researchers call for further studies to investigate the accuracy of smartphone-based sensors prior to applying them more broadly in diagnosis. Opportunities Provide data to support early diagnosis. Providers can use data from at-home tools to inform earlier or more appropriate interventions to slow cognitive decline and improve symptom management. As technologies mature, patients could also potentially use insights from at-home tools to decide whether they need to consult a provider. Reduce time and cost. At-home tools can be a practical and cost-effective way to reduce the number of clinic visits in the early stages of a disease when symptoms are still ambiguous. Because the tools can be used remotely, patients can reduce travel time and cost, especially if they live far from a clinic or have limited mobility. Provide easier access to diagnosis. At-home tools could help improve access to diagnostic information if they are self-administered, which can be particularly helpful in instances where a patient has health care access issues. Challenges Limited testing. Some tools were designed for use at the clinic and researchers have conducted limited testing for at-home use. For example, quality control testing of at-home digital cognitive assessments lags behind those delivered in a clinical setting, but testing is critical to understand a tool’s reliability. Digital divide. At-home tools may be less useful and less widely adopted if patients do not understand how they work or do not have devices to access them. This challenge could contribute to disparities in diagnosis. Data privacy and security. Data could be sold, shared without consent, or accessed via data breaches, although data covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 are provided some additional safeguards. Policy Context and Questions What are the possible policy implications for existing federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security Insurance? What strategies, if any, might help enhance the benefits and use of at-home tools? What oversight or resources could help ensure the tools do not exacerbate health disparities and the digital divide? What safeguards could protect data privacy and security? Selected GAO Work Science & Tech Spotlight: Wearables, GAO-24-107303 Technology Assessment: Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, GAO-22-104629 Selected References Ohman et al., “Current Advances in Digital Cognitive Assessment for Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease,”Alzheimer’s and Dementia Diagnosis,Assessment and Disease Monitoring, (2021) doi: 10.1002/dad2.12217. Adams et al., “Digital Technology in Movement Disorders: Updates, Applications, and Challenges,”Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports,vol. 21, no. 4(2021). For more information, contact Karen L. Howard, PhD at (202) 512-6888 or howardk@gao.gov.

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Clinical Research: FDA Should Evaluate Its Efforts to Recruit and Retain Its Inspection Workforce

What GAO Found The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducts inspections to, among other things, help ensure the quality and integrity of clinical research used to support drugs seeking marketing approval in the U.S. FDA's clinical research inspections peaked in fiscal year 2017 but have since declined. FDA officials attributed this decrease to the COVID-19 pandemic and not having enough investigators. Number of FDA Clinical Research Inspections Related to Drugs, Fiscal Year 2014 through March 1, 2023 From fiscal years 2012 through 2020, FDA classified 3 percent of clinical research inspections as having serious deficiencies that would warrant regulatory actions. Investigators GAO spoke with were frustrated that problems they identified (e.g., failure to follow research protocols) did not result in more serious classifications. FDA is limited in its ability to cite serious deficiencies for a common type of study supporting generic drugs. Specifically, the regulations for these studies do not include certain requirements for basic study conduct, such as record retention and following study protocols. FDA has started the process of revising these regulations. Having effective requirements will be important to help ensure high-quality research. FDA has faced challenges recruiting and retaining investigators, resulting in fewer inspections and a less experienced workforce. For example, FDA was unable to complete about 30 percent of one type of common inspection within the requested time frames from fiscal year 2018 through July 2023, according to agency information. FDA officials and the investigators GAO spoke with identified low compensation and high amounts of travel as contributing to these challenges. FDA has taken steps to increase recruitment and retain investigators, such as increased compensation and student loan repayment. The agency recently made progress recruiting new investigators, but attrition has been a persistent problem and it can take new investigators up to a year to independently conduct inspections. Although FDA made progress, the agency has not formally evaluated its efforts to determine their effectiveness. Such an evaluation could help FDA determine whether it is using the most appropriate tools to maintain its workforce. GAO has cited workforce as a concern across multiple FDA programs and sustained attention in this area will be critical. Why GAO Did This Study Clinical research—clinical trials and other studies involving human subjects—for drugs seeking FDA approval can occur in the U.S. or overseas. During inspections, FDA goes on-site, such as to hospitals or other health care settings, to examine research protocols and records as well as the entity and facility involved in the research. Challenges in other FDA inspection programs contributed to GAO placing FDA medical product oversight on its High-Risk List in 2009. GAO was asked to review FDA's inspections of clinical research. This report, among other objectives, describes inspections FDA conducted from fiscal years 2012 through 2023; describes the frequency with which FDA identified serious deficiencies during inspections; and examines FDA's efforts to maintain its investigator workforce. For this work, GAO examined FDA data and documents and interviewed FDA officials. GAO also interviewed 15 out of about 100 investigators, selected to represent diversity among the different investigator positions and tenure with FDA.

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Service Members Transitioning to Civilian Life: Agencies Can Improve Warm Handovers for Additional Assistance

What GAO Found To assist certain service members who may be at risk for a difficult transition from military to civilian life, the Department of Defense (DOD) provides them with a person-to-person connection, known as a “warm handover,” to other agencies. These other agencies include the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL), which can help the service members obtain additional transition services. Through its Transition Assistance Program, DOD ensures these service members receive agency contact information, but does not ensure that a connection with a person actually occurs (see figure). DOD provided at least one warm handover to about 41,000 service members, according to available data from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023. However, during this same time period the agency did not provide a warm handover to over 4,300 other service members who were also considered at-risk of having a challenging transition. DOD officials said the agency has not analyzed the reasons why these service members did not receive a warm handover. Without developing a written plan to analyze its data, DOD cannot ensure that the thousands of service members transitioning annually have access to the additional assistance they need and the benefits they have earned. DOD's Warm Handover Process Does Not Ensure Service Members Connect with Agencies for Additional Assistance with Their Transition to Civilian Life Transition Assistance Program counselors and others told GAO that warm handovers could be helpful to some service members, but DOD has not assessed their helpfulness. DOD has recently worked with VA and DOL on pilot projects that will provide some additional information, but these efforts are expected to provide limited information on warm handovers, and other agency efforts to assess the Transition Assistance Program do not focus on warm handovers. Without a plan to assess the helpfulness of warm handovers, program officials may be missing opportunities to ensure they are meeting the needs of service members. Agencies generally collaborated effectively to implement pilot projects aimed at refining warm handovers, but they have not identified criteria to make decisions about scaling all of the piloted approaches. Without identifying specific criteria, these agencies risk not collecting data needed to decide whether and how to scale the piloted approaches to the broader Transition Assistance Program and warm handover processes. Why GAO Did This Study Hundreds of thousands of service members transition from military service to civilian life each year, and some can be at risk for unemployment, homelessness, or gaps in medical care. To help them succeed, DOD provides certain service members with a warm handover to other agencies and organizations for additional assistance. Senate report 117-130 includes a provision for GAO to review DOD's warm handover process. GAO's report addresses the extent to which DOD: (1) ensures that service members receive a warm handover as appropriate, (2) assesses information on the helpfulness of warm handovers, and (3) collaborates with VA and DOL in their efforts to refine the warm handover process. GAO analyzed DOD program data for April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023, the most recent available. GAO also reviewed relevant federal laws, policies, and agency documents, and interviewed officials from relevant federal agencies and five military installations selected for diversity in numbers of transitioning service members, geographic location, and service branch.

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Vehicle Repair: Information on Evolving Vehicle Technologies and Consumer Choice

What GAO Found Right-to-repair is the ability of consumers to decide who repairs their products. For vehicles, this means consumers deciding whether to make their own repairs or take their vehicle to repair facilities at independent repair shops or dealerships franchised with automakers. Most automakers have been operating under a 2014 voluntary nationwide right-to-repair agreement. This agreement has generally resulted in independent repair shops not associated with vehicle manufacturers having access to the information, data, and tools needed for vehicle repairs. However, stakeholders GAO interviewed and a nongeneralizable review of complaints suggest that independent repair shops may face some limitations in that access. Advanced vehicle technologies, such as electric vehicles, may make repairs more expensive and complex because they require additional knowledge, equipment, and other investments. Such issues could particularly affect some independent repair shops, that are unable to make such commitments. In addition, according to some independent repair stakeholders GAO interviewed, the use of telematics systems to wirelessly transfer data between vehicles and automakers could give dealerships a competitive advantage over independent repair shops in conducting some repairs. However, industry and independent repair stakeholders GAO interviewed agreed that telematics data are not currently needed to conduct repairs. The Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is focused on vehicle safety and its role in vehicle right-to-repair issues is limited to cybersecurity issues that could affect vehicle safety. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is involved in protecting consumers and promoting competition, including in the vehicle repair market. FTC is taking steps to better understand potential vehicle repair limitations by considering new ways to categorize and analyze potentially relevant consumer complaints. If independent repair shops face limitations in access to the information, data, and tools needed for repair or are otherwise disadvantaged compared to dealerships, consumers may have fewer repair choices, which may reduce competition and make repairs more expensive and inconvenient. Why GAO Did This Study GAO was asked to review the effects of changing vehicle technologies on vehicle right-to-repair. This report examines how changes in vehicle technologies are affecting competition and consumer choice in the vehicle repair market and NHTSA's and FTC's actions related to this issue. To conduct this work, GAO conducted a literature search and reviewed relevant publications, conducted a non-generalizable review of vehicle and vehicle repair complaints, and interviewed over 50 industry and consumer-focused stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers, independent repair shops, and others. For more information, contact Elizabeth Repko at (202) 512-2834 or repkoe@gao.gov.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction: DHS Has Made Progress in Some Areas, but Additional Improvements Are Needed

What GAO Found The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made progress in addressing challenges that GAO identified related to the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD). However, additional improvements are needed. The following summarizes progress made and challenges remaining in several of CWMD's key areas, reported by GAO since 2018. Chemical defense: GAO reported on challenges and progress in CWMD's chemical defense efforts. In August 2018, GAO found that DHS had not fully integrated and coordinated its chemical defense programs and activities among its component agencies. By not doing so, DHS risked missing opportunities to leverage resources, share information, and improve its effectiveness in addressing chemical threats through improved integration and coordination. To address GAO's recommendation, CWMD issued a Chemical Defense Strategy in December 2019 that established goals and objectives that included integrating and coordinating DHS's chemical defense capabilities. DHS subsequently issued an implementation plan in September 2021 that involved CWMD and several participating DHS component agencies. Biodefense: GAO reported on challenges with two of DHS's biosurveillance efforts that CWMD oversees—the Biological Detection for the 21st Century program and the National Biosurveillance Integration Center. In May 2021, GAO found that DHS did not 1) apply best practices when conducting technology readiness assessments for its Biological Detection for the 21st Century program; or 2) conduct these assessments before key acquisition decision points. In response, DHS revised its program guide to incorporate best practices, but as of March 2024, had not demonstrated that it is conducting such assessments before key acquisition decisions. In November 2023, GAO reported that the National Biosurveillance Integration Center documented its efforts to obtain adequate personnel and develop new technology, but did not clearly define performance measures and associated time frames in its strategic planning documents. As of March 2024, DHS reported it was developing a strategy and implementation plan for the center that will include milestones, actions, targets, and time frames. GAO will monitor DHS's efforts. Radiological and nuclear detection: In March 2024, GAO reported on CWMD's Securing the Cities program, which is designed to enhance the nuclear detection capabilities in select cities. GAO found that CWMD took steps to strengthen program outreach among its partners, but had not clearly communicated performance expectations. GAO will monitor DHS's efforts to address these and other challenges. Why GAO Did This Study Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons have the potential to kill thousands of people. To manage threats in these areas, federal statute established CWMD in December 2018 by reorganizing functions of predecessor offices in DHS. This statement describes findings from GAO's reports on CWMD's programs from August 2018 through March 2024. They address challenges and opportunities for the effective operations and implementation of CWMD's chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear security activities. To conduct prior work, GAO reviewed relevant laws, policies, strategic plans, and other documents. GAO also interviewed federal, state, industry, and other officials.

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Border Security: Border Patrol's Missing Migrant Program

What GAO Found Border Patrol established the Missing Migrant Program in 2017 to help rescue migrants in distress and reduce migrant deaths along the southwest border. Through this program, Border Patrol coordinates with external entities (e.g., state and local officials) to assist migrants in distress and to recover and identify remains. Border Patrol sector agents are responsible for collecting and recording data on migrant deaths. In April 2022, GAO reported that Border Patrol had not collected and recorded, or reported to Congress, complete data on migrant deaths. Specifically, GAO reported that while Border Patrol has a policy for recording information on migrant deaths in the agency's system of record, Border Patrol sectors had not entered all available information on migrant deaths into the system consistent with that policy. In particular, GAO found that Border Patrol was not recording all migrant deaths in instances where an external entity first discovered the remains. Border Patrol agreed with GAO's recommendation that it take steps to ensure it collects and records available information on migrant deaths, including those identified by external entities. Border Patrol has implemented the recommendation by taking steps to revise its guidance, meeting with sectors and reviewing their program reports, and coordinating with external entities. In its August 2023 report to Congress on migrant deaths, Customs and Border Protection provided data for fiscal years 2018 through 2022 on migrant deaths. However, the report does not include a discussion of data limitations as GAO previously recommended. For instance, officials from one sector told us that large land areas along the border, sometimes combined with hazardous terrain, make it difficult to discover all remains, leading to some migrant deaths going unreported. More specifically, in April 2022, GAO reported that Border Patrol had not reported to Congress complete data on migrant deaths or disclosed limitations with the data it reported. GAO recommended that Border Patrol include known migrant deaths, including those reported by external entities, and any data limitations in public agency reports and those to Congress. Border Patrol agreed with this recommendation and has taken some steps toward addressing it. To fully address the recommendation, Border Patrol should include data limitation disclosures in its annual reports to Congress. By including data limitations in its reports, Border Patrol could provide context for Congress and the public to better understand data on migrant deaths. Border Patrol has also taken steps to evaluate the Missing Migrant Program. In April 2022, GAO found that Border Patrol collected and reviewed information about program activities; however, it did not have a plan to evaluate the program overall. GAO recommended that Border Patrol develop a plan with time frames to evaluate the program. Border Patrol agreed with GAO's recommendation and implemented it. Specifically, in November 2023, Border Patrol provided a plan for evaluating the Missing Migrant Program that notes that headquarters will review the program every 6 months. A Border Patrol official told us that the first reports from sectors based on the evaluation plan were expected in March 2024. It includes activities that are intended to help Border Patrol monitor and improve the Missing Migrant Program. Why GAO Did This Study U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), within the Department of Homeland Security, is the lead federal agency responsible for border security. U.S. Border Patrol, within CBP, is responsible for securing the U.S. border between ports of entry to prevent individuals and goods from entering the U.S. illegally. In fiscal year 2022, Border Patrol reported a record number of migrant deaths—approximately 900—and the rescue of about 22,000 migrants. The Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act requires CBP to submit annual reports to Congress that include, among other elements, the number and location of unidentified remains found along the southwest border. In response, Border Patrol submitted its most recent report to Congress in August 2023. The Act also includes a provision for GAO to review how CBP collects data on migrant deaths and how CBP works with external entities in cases involving missing migrants or unidentified remains. This report addresses (1) the actions Border Patrol has taken to collect and record available information on migrant deaths; (2) Border Patrol's reporting on migrant deaths and the extent to which data limitations are included; and (3) Border Patrol's efforts to evaluate the Missing Migrant Program. GAO analyzed Border Patrol documentation and interviewed officials at Border Patrol headquarters, four field locations, and one external entity. GAO selected the field locations to reflect a range in the number of reported migrant deaths, types of terrain, and interactions with external entities. This report supplements information and draws from GAO's April 2022 report (GAO-22-105053) and November 2022 correspondence (GAO-23-106007) on the Missing Migrant Program. It also describes Border Patrol's efforts to address GAO's prior recommendations. For more information, contact Rebecca Gambler at (202) 512-8777 or gamblerr@gao.gov.

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Army Modernization: Production Challenges for Stryker Upgrade Reinforce Need to Follow Acquisition Leading Practices in Future Efforts

What GAO Found After the drawdown of U.S. Army armored combat vehicles from Europe in 2013, the Army reassessed threats in the region and determined that its Stryker brigades did not have sufficient firepower compared with potential adversaries. The Medium Caliber Weapon System is one of the Army's latest modernization efforts to increase the lethality of its Stryker Family of Vehicles Program. The Components of a Medium Caliber Weapon System GAO found that the Army followed leading practices when developing requirements for the Medium Caliber Weapon System. In 2018, the Army used the lessons learned when field testing 83 modified Stryker vehicles delivered to the 2nd Calvary Regiment in Germany. It used the 2nd Calvary's experience to inform and refine weapon system requirements, including increases in lethality, survivability, and situational awareness. Subsequently, the Army developed an accelerated acquisition approach for the system by placing it within the Stryker Family of Vehicles Program, rather than designating it a separate program of record. This allowed the Army to minimize documentation required for approval. According to program officials, the accelerated approach was intended to shorten the acquisition by 2 years. The Army, however, did not fully implement leading practices for acquisition to mitigate production risks, which were introduced, in part, by using a different turret and chassis than what was tested in Germany. Since production started in March 2022, the Army found problems with the contractor's manufacturing processes as well as software issues. Ultimately, this resulted in the Army halting acceptance of vehicles in February 2023, after 19 had been delivered. These challenges may have been identified and addressed earlier if the Army followed sound acquisition practices, such as conducting a production readiness review and ensuring that software worked as intended before ordering most of the 269 vehicles. While the Army mitigated its cost risk by awarding fixed-price orders, the time needed to address production issues will delay fielding by a year. Implementing leading practices for acquisition in production would ensure that the Army develops sufficient knowledge about production maturity for future Stryker upgrades prior to entering production and potentially avoids the issues experienced with the Medium Caliber Weapon System. Why GAO Did This Study In response to a 2015 urgent need request from a unit in Germany, the Army developed and fielded a limited number of Stryker combat vehicles with increased lethality, including an uncrewed, turreted 30-millimeter automatic cannon on a Stryker. After testing, further modifications were made and a competition was held to produce additional upgraded vehicles for all Stryker brigades. This upgraded vehicle was subsequently termed the Medium Caliber Weapon System. A House report includes a provision for GAO to review the Army's efforts to upgrade and improve the lethality of the Medium Caliber Weapon System. This report addresses the (1) requirements and acquisition approaches for the system, and (2) extent to which the Army followed relevant GAO leading practices in identifying and mitigating risks, among other issues. GAO reviewed and analyzed relevant policies, requirements, and acquisition documents, and contracts. GAO also interviewed Army and Marine Corps officials and a representative of the contractor responsible for the upgrades.

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Nuclear Terrorism Prevention: DHS Has Strengthened the Securing the Cities Program, but Actions Are Needed to Address Key Remaining Challenges

What GAO Found The Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) has taken multiple steps to strengthen the Securing the Cities (STC) program and is working with regions to address remaining program implementation challenges. CWMD awards funding to support STC regions' program administration. It also funds the procurement and deployment of radiological and nuclear detection equipment and training for the law enforcement officers and other agency partners who use it. To strengthen the program, CWMD has increased outreach and communication activities, developed templates for regional planning and quarterly reporting, and ensured regions' access to long-term federal funding to sustain their STC-related capabilities. As CWMD continues to improve the program, it is also working with STC regions to address challenges that may affect program implementation. Regions identified several key challenges, including staff attrition and turnover; availability and difficulty of scheduling training courses; and keeping partner agencies engaged with the STC program mission among other competing priorities. Photos of Types of Nuclear and Radiological Detection Equipment CWMD's approach to measuring and tracking regions' performance—outlined in a 2023 revision to its STC program implementation plan—generally follows the key practices and their supporting actions for assessing program effectiveness. For example, CWMD uses weekly or biweekly meetings with the STC regions to provide tailored information that regions need to address specific issues affecting their program implementation. However, it has not clearly communicated to the regions the performance expectations and planned assessment approach adopted in the revised plan. By doing so, CWMD would increase the transparency and accountability for results being achieved through the program. CWMD is collecting and reviewing regional performance data to set targets and benchmarks for assessments that it plans to begin in fiscal year 2025. However, it needs to take additional steps to ensure that information collected from the regions is timely, consistent, complete, and accurate. CWMD officials also stated that they need to complete ongoing and planned efforts to better oversee and hold regions accountable for their performance and timely progress through program phases and toward achieving program goals. By taking these steps, CWMD will be in a better position to use evidence to manage the STC program more effectively, demonstrate regions' progress toward meeting the program goals, and communicate these results to stakeholders. Why GAO Did This Study The U.S. faces an enduring threat that terrorists could steal or smuggle nuclear or radiological materials to use in a terrorist attack. The Department of Homeland Security initiated the STC program as a pilot in 2007 to reduce the risk of such attacks by developing and enhancing sustainable radiological and nuclear detection capabilities of state and local agencies in high-risk urban areas. The program includes 13 regions. CWMD awarded about $300 million to these regions through fiscal year 2023. The CWMD Act of 2018 included a provision for GAO to evaluate the STC program once CWMD completed an assessment of the program, which it did in 2022. This report evaluates (1) CWMD's efforts to strengthen the STC program and address regions' challenges and (2) the extent to which CWMD is measuring and tracking STC regions' performance. GAO reviewed CWMD and STC regions' documents, interviewed officials from CWMD and from each region, and visited two regions carrying out training exercises. GAO compared CWMD's performance assessment approach with key practices for assessing program effectiveness that GAO identified in prior work.

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