Month in Review, December 2011

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 topics. We assign more than one topic to a report when that makes sense. For example, a report about education for veterans will be categorized as both a Veterans report and an Education report. So, you may see the same report in more than one topic below.

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Auditing and Financial Management

Defense Contract Audits

Actions Needed to Improve DCAA's Access to and Use of Defense Company Internal Audit Reports
GAO-12-88, Dec 8, 2011

DOD Financial Management

Ongoing Challenges with Reconciling Navy and Marine Corps Fund Balance with Treasury
GAO-12-132, Dec 20, 2011

Ginnie Mae

Risk Management and Cost Modeling Require Continuing Attention
GAO-12-49, Nov 14, 2011

Small Business Lending Fund

Additional Actions Needed to Improve Transparency and Accountability
GAO-12-183, Dec 14, 2011
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Budget and Spending

Strategic Sourcing

Office Supplies Pricing Study Had Limitations, but New Initiative Shows Potential for Savings
GAO-12-178, Dec 20, 2011
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Business Regulation and Consumer Protection

Commercial Spectrum

Plans and Actions to Meet Future Needs, Including Continued Use of Auctions
GAO-12-118, Nov 23, 2011

State Small Business Credit Initiative

Opportunities Exist to Improve Program Oversight
GAO-12-173, Dec 7, 2011
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Economic Development

National Capital Region

2010 Strategic Plan is Generally Consistent with Characteristics of Effective Strategies
GAO-12-276T, Dec 7, 2011

Vacant Properties

Growing Number Increases Communities' Costs and Challenges
GAO-12-34, Nov 4, 2011
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Education

Higher Education and Disability

Improved Federal Enforcement Needed to Better Protect Students' Rights to Testing Accommodations
GAO-12-40, Nov 29, 2011

Postsecondary Education

Student Outcomes Vary at For-Profit, Nonprofit, and Public Schools
GAO-12-143, Dec 7, 2011
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Employment

Coast Guard

Communication of Post-Government Employment Restriction Can Be Strengthened
GAO-12-174, Dec 15, 2011

Health Care Coverage

Job Lock and the Potential Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
GAO-12-166R, Dec 15, 2011
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Energy

Recovery Act

Progress and Challenges in Spending Weatherization Funds
GAO-12-195, Dec 16, 2011

Tennessee Valley Authority

Full Consideration of Energy Efficiency and Better Capital Expenditures Planning Are Needed
GAO-12-107, Oct 31, 2011
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Financial Markets and Institutions

Ginnie Mae

Risk Management and Cost Modeling Require Continuing Attention
GAO-12-49, Nov 14, 2011
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Government Operations

Arlington National Cemetery

Additional Actions Needed to Continue Improvements in Contract Management
GAO-12-99, Dec 15, 2011

Arlington National Cemetery

Management Improvements Made, but a Strategy Is Needed to Address Remaining Challenges
GAO-12-105, Dec 15, 2011

Green Building

Federal Initiatives for the Nonfederal Sector Could Benefit from More Interagency Collaboration
GAO-12-79, Nov 2, 2011

Managing for Results

Opportunities for Congress to Address Government Performance Issues
GAO-12-215R, Dec 9, 2011

National Capital Region

2010 Strategic Plan is Generally Consistent with Characteristics of Effective Strategies
GAO-12-276T, Dec 7, 2011

National Institutes of Health

Employment and Other Impacts Reported by NIH Recovery Act Grantees
GAO-12-32, Nov 10, 2011

Recovery Act

Progress and Challenges in Spending Weatherization Funds
GAO-12-195, Dec 16, 2011
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Health Care

DOD Health Care

Actions Needed to Help Ensure Full Compliance and Complete Documentation for Physician Credentialing and Privileging
GAO-12-31, Dec 15, 2011

Drug Shortages

FDA's Ability to Respond Should Be Strengthened
GAO-12-315T, Dec 15, 2011

Drug Shortages

FDA's Ability to Respond Should Be Strengthened
GAO-12-116, Nov 21, 2011

Foster Children

HHS Guidance Could Help States Improve Oversight of Psychotropic Prescriptions
GAO-12-270T, Dec 1, 2011

Foster Children

HHS Guidance Could Help States Improve Oversight of Psychotropic Prescriptions [Reissued on December 15, 2011]
GAO-12-201, Dec 14, 2011

Fraud Detection Systems

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Needs to Expand Efforts to Support Program Integrity Initiatives
GAO-12-292T, Dec 7, 2011

Health Care Coverage

Job Lock and the Potential Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
GAO-12-166R, Dec 15, 2011

Medicaid

Health Opportunity Accounts Demonstration Program
GAO-12-221R, Dec 16, 2011

Medicaid Program Integrity

Expanded Federal Role Presents Challenges to and Opportunities for Assisting States
GAO-12-288T, Dec 7, 2011

Medicare

Many Factors, Including Administrative Challenges, Affect Access to Part D Vaccinations
GAO-12-61, Dec 15, 2011

National Institutes of Health

Employment and Other Impacts Reported by NIH Recovery Act Grantees
GAO-12-32, Nov 10, 2011

Pediatric Medical Devices

Provisions Support Development, but Better Data Needed for Required Reporting
GAO-12-225, Dec 20, 2011

Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan

Comparison of Implementation and Early Enrollment with the Children's Health Insurance Program
GAO-12-62R, Nov 10, 2011
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Homeland Security

Border Security

Additional Steps Needed to Ensure That Officers Are Fully Trained
GAO-12-269, Dec 22, 2011

Coast Guard

Communication of Post-Government Employment Restriction Can Be Strengthened
GAO-12-174, Dec 15, 2011

Coast Guard

Observations on Arctic Requirements, Icebreakers, and Coordination with Stakeholders
GAO-12-254T, Dec 1, 2011

Coast Guard

Security Risk Model Meets DHS Criteria, but More Training Could Enhance Its Use for Managing Programs and Operations
GAO-12-14, Nov 17, 2011

Homeland Defense and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Additional Steps Could Enhance the Effectiveness of the National Guard's Life-Saving Response Forces
GAO-12-114, Dec 7, 2011

National Capital Region

2010 Strategic Plan is Generally Consistent with Characteristics of Effective Strategies
GAO-12-276T, Dec 7, 2011

Port Security Grant Program

Risk Model, Grant Management, and Effectiveness Measures Could Be Strengthened
GAO-12-47, Nov 17, 2011

Transportation

Transportation Security Infrastructure Modernization May Enhance DHS Screening Capabilities, but It Is Too Early to Assess Results
GAO-12-192R, Dec 8, 2011

Visa Waiver Program

Additional Actions Needed to Address Risks and Strengthen Overstay Enforcement
GAO-12-287T, Dec 7, 2011
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Housing

Federal Housing Administration

Risks to the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund and the Agency's Operations
GAO-12-277T, Dec 1, 2011

Ginnie Mae

Risk Management and Cost Modeling Require Continuing Attention
GAO-12-49, Nov 14, 2011

Homelessness

To Improve Data and Programs, Agencies Have Taken Steps to Develop a Common Vocabulary
GAO-12-302T, Dec 15, 2011

Vacant Properties

Growing Number Increases Communities' Costs and Challenges
GAO-12-34, Nov 4, 2011
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Human Capital

Border Security

Additional Steps Needed to Ensure That Officers Are Fully Trained
GAO-12-269, Dec 22, 2011
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Information Technology

IT Dashboard

Accuracy Has Improved, and Additional Efforts Are Under Way to Better Inform Decision Making
GAO-12-210, Nov 7, 2011
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International Affairs

International Affairs

Broadcasting Board of Governors Should Provide Additional Information to Congress Regarding Broadcasting to Cuba
GAO-12-243R, Dec 13, 2011

International Climate Change Assessments

Federal Agencies Should Improve Reporting and Oversight of U.S. Funding
GAO-12-43, Nov 17, 2011

Visa Waiver Program

Additional Actions Needed to Address Risks and Strengthen Overstay Enforcement
GAO-12-287T, Dec 7, 2011
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Justice and Law Enforcement

Adult Drug Courts

Studies Show Courts Reduce Recidivism, but DOJ Could Enhance Future Performance Measure Revision Efforts
GAO-12-53, Dec 9, 2011

Fraud Detection Systems

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Needs to Expand Efforts to Support Program Integrity Initiatives
GAO-12-292T, Dec 7, 2011

Mississippi River

Actions Are Needed to Help Resolve Environmental and Flooding Concerns about the Use of River Training Structures
GAO-12-41, Dec 9, 2011
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National Defense

Defense Contract Audits

Actions Needed to Improve DCAA's Access to and Use of Defense Company Internal Audit Reports
GAO-12-88, Dec 8, 2011

DOD Financial Management

Ongoing Challenges with Reconciling Navy and Marine Corps Fund Balance with Treasury
GAO-12-132, Dec 20, 2011

DOD Health Care

Actions Needed to Help Ensure Full Compliance and Complete Documentation for Physician Credentialing and Privileging
GAO-12-31, Dec 15, 2011

Homeland Defense and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Additional Steps Could Enhance the Effectiveness of the National Guard's Life-Saving Response Forces
GAO-12-114, Dec 7, 2011
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Natural Resources and Environment

Green Building

Federal Initiatives for the Nonfederal Sector Could Benefit from More Interagency Collaboration
GAO-12-79, Nov 2, 2011

Hardrock Mining

BLM Needs to Revise Its Systems for Assessing the Adequacy of Financial Assurances
GAO-12-189R, Dec 12, 2011

International Climate Change Assessments

Federal Agencies Should Improve Reporting and Oversight of U.S. Funding
GAO-12-43, Nov 17, 2011

Mississippi River

Actions Are Needed to Help Resolve Environmental and Flooding Concerns about the Use of River Training Structures
GAO-12-41, Dec 9, 2011

Station Fire

Forest Service's Response Offers Potential Lessons for Future Wildland Fire Management
GAO-12-155, Dec 16, 2011
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Retirement Security

Delphi Pension Plans

GM Agreements with Unions Give Rise to Unique Differences in Participant Benefits
GAO-12-168, Dec 15, 2011

Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance

Retirement Benefit and Retained Asset Account Disclosures Could Be Improved
GAO-12-94, Nov 10, 2011
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Space

International Space Station

Approaches for Ensuring Utilization through 2020 Are Reasonable but Should Be Revisited as NASA Gains More Knowledge of On-Orbit Performance
GAO-12-162, Dec 15, 2011

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Acquisition Approach for Commercial Crew Transportation Includes Good Practices, but Faces Significant Challenges
GAO-12-282, Dec 15, 2011
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Telecommunications

Commercial Spectrum

Plans and Actions to Meet Future Needs, Including Continued Use of Auctions
GAO-12-118, Nov 23, 2011
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Transportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen Grants Management
GAO-12-158, Dec 13, 2011

Highway Emergency Relief

Strengthened Oversight of Project Eligibility Decisions Needed
GAO-12-45, Nov 8, 2011

Transportation Security

Actions Needed to Address Limitations in TSA's Transportation Worker Security Threat Assessments and Growing Workload
GAO-12-60, Dec 8, 2011

Transportation

Transportation Security Infrastructure Modernization May Enhance DHS Screening Capabilities, but It Is Too Early to Assess Results
GAO-12-192R, Dec 8, 2011
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Veterans

Arlington National Cemetery

Additional Actions Needed to Continue Improvements in Contract Management
GAO-12-99, Dec 15, 2011

Arlington National Cemetery

Management Improvements Made, but a Strategy Is Needed to Address Remaining Challenges
GAO-12-105, Dec 15, 2011
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Worker and Family Assistance

Foster Children

HHS Guidance Could Help States Improve Oversight of Psychotropic Prescriptions
GAO-12-270T, Dec 1, 2011

Foster Children

HHS Guidance Could Help States Improve Oversight of Psychotropic Prescriptions [Reissued on December 15, 2011]
GAO-12-201, Dec 14, 2011

Homelessness

To Improve Data and Programs, Agencies Have Taken Steps to Develop a Common Vocabulary
GAO-12-302T, Dec 15, 2011
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Legal Products: Appropriations Decision

Department of Health and Human Services--Administrative Expenses
B-321823, Dec 6, 2011

Securities and Exchange Commission--Supplemental Appropriation
B-322062, Dec 5, 2011
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Legal Products: Bid Protest Decision

All Points International Distributors, Inc.
B-405954, Dec 16, 2011

APEX-MBM, JV
B-405107.3, Oct 3, 2011

Associated Fabricators & Constructors, Inc.
B-405872, Dec 14, 2011

BlueStar Energy Solutions
B-405690, Dec 12, 2011

Commandeer Construction Company LLC
B-405771, Dec 29, 2011

Electronic Interiors Inc.
B-405576, Nov 18, 2011

Encompass Group LLC
B-405688, Dec 9, 2011

First Information Technology Services, Inc.
B-405602, Dec 1, 2011

Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company, LLC
B-406170, Dec 22, 2011

Henry Schein, Inc.
B-405319, Oct 18, 2011

Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc
B-405658.2, Dec 9, 2011

Jean-Paul O'Brien
B-405668,B-405669, Dec 12, 2011

Kingdomware Technologies
B-405727, Dec 19, 2011

LOGMET LLC
B-405700, Dec 14, 2011

National Defense Advisors, Inc.
B-405741, Dec 13, 2011

NCI Information Systems, Inc.
B-405745, Dec 14, 2011

NCI Information Systems, Inc.
B-405589, Nov 23, 2011

NetStar-1 Government Consulting, Inc.
B-404025.2, May 4, 2011

Pacific Lock Company
B-405800, Dec 27, 2011

Sealift Inc.
B-405705, Dec 9, 2011

Seawolf Construction Corporation
B-405730, Dec 21, 2011

Sevatec, Inc.
B-405681, Dec 9, 2011

The Ross Group Construction Corporation
B-405180.2, Nov 28, 2011

VSE Corporation
B-404833.4, Nov 21, 2011

W.B. Construction and Sons, Inc.
B-405874,B-405874.2, Dec 16, 2011
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Legal Products: Federal Agency Major Rule

Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Securities and Exchange Commission: Reporting by Investment Advisers to Private Funds and Certain Commodity Pool Operators and Commodity Trading Advisors on Form PF
GAO-12-267R, Dec 1, 2011

Commodity Futures Trading Commission: Position Limits for Futures and Swaps
GAO-12-273R, Dec 5, 2011

Department of Energy: Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
GAO-12-313R, Dec 15, 2011

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment; Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment; Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program; Physician Self-Referra
GAO-12-297R, Dec 15, 2011

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicare Program; Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, Five-Year Review of Work Relative Value Units, Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: Signature on Requisition, and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2012
GAO-12-284R, Dec 13, 2011

Department of Health and Human Services: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Establishment of Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) Program
GAO-12-334R, Dec 22, 2011
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