DOD Reviews and Responses to GAO Reports: Third Semiannual Report Examining Delays
| Report Type |
Reports and Testimonies |
| Report Date |
Aug. 8, 2024 |
| Release Date |
Aug. 8, 2024 |
| Report No. |
GAO-24-107281 |
Summary:
What GAO Found
The Department of Defense (DOD) submitted about 51 percent of its agency comments, 65 percent of its sensitivity reviews, and 50 percent of its security reviews to GAO after the deadline. Sensitivity reviews are conducted to identify sensitive information, such as controlled unclassified information. Reviews for classified information, such as information designated as Secret or Top Secret, are generally referred to as security reviews. In comparing the results of GAO's analysis of DOD's performance during this period of review with those of the first and second review periods, DOD timeliness in providing agency comments and sensitivity/security reviews has generally decreased over time. However, GAO is working with DOD to improve its timeliness.
GAO provides audited agencies with an opportunity to review and comment on its draft reports before GAO issues the final report. DOD provided GAO comments on 85 reports from November 12, 2023, to May 10, 2024. While GAO generally provides DOD with 30 days for agency comment, on average, DOD took 36 days. Of the 85 reports, DOD submitted comments for 43 after the 30-day deadline and took an additional 19 days, on average, to submit agency comments on those reports. For one report, DOD took 145 days to provide its comments.
GAO requests that the department complete sensitivity and security reviews of reports if controlled unclassified or classified sources were used, and to communicate the results of the review in writing. DOD completed 36 reviews—26 sensitivity and 10 security reviews—during the same period. On average, DOD completed sensitivity reviews in 41 days and security reviews in 44 days—exceeding the 30-day deadline.
Of the 40 reports for which GAO granted an extension to the deadline for submitting comments, DOD did not meet the extension deadline for 18. DOD also submitted comments late for five additional reports without requesting extensions.
Why GAO Did This Study
Delays in DOD submitting agency comments or the sensitivity/security reviews result in GAO issuing products later than mandated or requested by Congress. In some cases, delays may result in GAO taking the unusual step of issuing reports without DOD comments in order to provide Congress with requested information.
The James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 included a provision for GAO to report every 6 months over a 2-year period on the extent to which DOD submitted agency comments and sensitivity or security reviews in a timely manner and in accordance with GAO protocols. This report is the third in a series of four reports on this topic. It covers the time period November 12, 2023, to May 10, 2024.
For more information, contact Alissa Czyz at (202) 512-3058 or czyza@gao.gov.
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