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Open Recommendations

Disaster Loan Program: SBA Should Ensure Consistent Outreach to Survivors
GAO-26-108688
May 18, 2026
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Small Business Administration The SBA Administrator should establish controls to help ensure that agency outreach materials across regions consistently include key information for those affected by disasters to access needed resources and manage their recovery. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Artificial Intelligence: Uses and Risks for Small Business Contracting and Innovation Research
GAO-26-107828
May 04, 2026
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Small Business Administration The Administrator of SBA should ensure that the Chief Information Officer establishes policies and procedures for meeting the agency's applicable reporting requirements for AI use case inventories, including defining roles and responsibilities, and for documenting the implementation of policies and procedures and key decisions. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Consumer Product Safety Commission: Opportunities to Strengthen Oversight of Toxic Substances in Children’s Products
GAO-26-107736
Feb 23, 2026
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Consumer Product Safety Commission The Chairman of CPSC should establish a plan for overseeing compliance with CPSC's e-filing requirements. The plan should ensure that importers comply with e-filing requirements and submit timely, accurate certificate data. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Consumer Product Safety Commission The Chairman of CPSC should develop a process for using CPSC's violations data to assess risks associated with independent and government labs. Steps could include revising its lab investigation procedures to specify how often staff should analyze data for trends related to violative findings, or developing a process for using lab data collected from the new e-filing system to examine trends over time. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Consumer Product Safety Commission The Chairman of CPSC should complete a review of CPSC's lead requirements for children's products to determine whether it is feasible to lower lead limits, and review its methods for measuring lead in paint or other surface coatings to ensure they are the most effective available to protect children's health, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. In doing so, CPSC should also document a process for completing this review every 5 years. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Consumer Product Safety Commission The Chairman of CPSC should document a process for how CPSC staff should stay up-to-date about potential changes related to phthalates and other toxic substances found in children's products. Steps could include developing internal procedures or a research agenda specifying the nature and timing of research or other activities staff should conduct. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Small Business Research Programs: Additional Actions Needed to Incorporate Best Practices for Addressing Foreign Risks
GAO-26-107972
Jan 28, 2026
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26 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of the Air Force The Secretary of Air Force should ensure the SBIR and STTR programs inform awardees in a written statement that updated disclosures must be provided within 30 days of any substantive changes to the project. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should ensure the agency consistently communicates that disclosure does not mean denial to all its SBIR and STTR applicants through mechanisms such as disclosure form itself, the agency solicitation, or on a website as part of the application process. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should ensure the agency clearly outlines its designation of "covered individuals" that is available to SBIR and STTR applicants and program staff to ensure consistent access and understanding. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should ensure the SBIR and STTR programs inform awardees in a written statement that updated disclosures must be provided within 30 days of any substantive changes to the project. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should assess SBIR and STTR applicants' cybersecurity practices, ensuring these assessments focus on basic small business safeguarding protocols and remain consistent with federal cybersecurity frameworks. (Recommendations 5)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should ensure the SBIR program informs awardees in a written statement that updated disclosures must be provided within 30 days of any substantive changes to the project. (Recommendation 6)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
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