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                    Most Recent Reports**1 - 20 of 50 Reports**
	
	

	
	  **Released on   Mar 28, 2024**
          Army Corps of Engineers: Actions Needed to Better Align Management of Real Estate Administrative Fees with Key Practices
    GAO-24-107446
      Published:   Mar 28, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Mar 28, 2024
.
    The Army Corps of Engineers manages the real estate at its infrastructure projects nationwide that businesses, state governments, and others can work with the Corps to use. For example, a business can lease land on a lake to run a marina. Users pay fees to the Corps to cover the costs of reviewing applications and overseeing uses. We testified about concerns with the fees' consistency...
      **Released on   Jan 8, 2024**
          Army Corps of Engineers: Better Alignment with Key Practices Would Improve Management of Real Estate Administrative Fees
    GAO-24-106188
      Published:   Dec 8, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 8, 2024
.
    The Army Corps of Engineers manages the real estate at its infrastructure projects nationwide that businesses, state governments, and others can work with the Corps to use. For example, a business can lease land on a lake to run a marina. Users pay fees to the Corps to cover the costs of reviewing real estate use proposals and oversight—but some users have raised concerns about...
      **Released on   Dec 14, 2023**
          Artificial Intelligence in Natural Hazard Modeling: Severe Storms, Hurricanes, Floods, and Wildfires
    GAO-24-106213
      Published:   Dec 14, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Dec 14, 2023
.
    Severe storms, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires kill hundreds of people and cause billions of dollars in damage in the U.S. each year. Forecasting models can help predict these hazards. Machine learning—a type of artificial intelligence —can help improve model accuracy, increase warning times, and reduce uncertainty. Some machine learning forecasting models are in use, but there are challenges to developing and adopting them more widely...
      **Released on   Nov 16, 2023**
          U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Use of Other Transaction Agreements in Water Development Projects
    GAO-24-106746
      Published:   Nov 16, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 16, 2023
.
    The Army Corps of Engineers takes on water infrastructure-related civil works projects such as dams, levees, and more. A 2022 law allowed the Corps to use types of contracts for these projects that aren't procurement contracts, cooperative agreements, or grants. These are known as "other transaction agreements." Corps officials said they have drafted guidance for using these agreements. However, they can't finalize this guidance until...
      **Released on   Nov 8, 2023**
          Army Corps of Engineers: Data Needed to Monitor Implementation of Revised Policy for Selecting Architecture and Engineering Contractors
    GAO-24-106730
      Published:   Nov 8, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 8, 2023
.
    For certain architecture and engineering services, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers often uses multiple-award contracts. These are awarded to a group of contractors, who are deemed "prequalified" for projects within the scope of the initial award. In 2020, the Corps issued a policy outlining the process for choosing the most qualified contractor from the prequalified group for a project. But industry raised concerns about...
      **Released on   Nov 6, 2023**
          Army Corps of Engineers: Better Data and Planning Needed to Combat Aquatic Invasive Species
    GAO-24-105960
      Published:   Nov 6, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 6, 2023
.
    Quagga and zebra mussels are invasive species in the U.S. that threaten ecosystems and infrastructure. They can spread by clinging to watercraft that have been in infested waters. This Q&A report looks at how the Army Corps of Engineers partners with certain states to help fund inspection and decontamination stations to remove invasive species. Corps and state officials told us that these stations help to...
      **Released on   Jul 18, 2023**
          Southwest Border: Award and Management of Barrier Construction Contracts
    GAO-23-106893
      Published:   Jul 18, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 18, 2023
.
    From 2017 until January 2021, billions of dollars went to construction contracts for barriers along the U.S. Southwest border. This testimony discusses these barrier construction efforts. During that time period, the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense installed about 450 miles of barrier panels. As of January 2021, only about 15% of the panels were complete barrier systems, which include lights, patrol roads, and technology...
      **Released on   Sep 29, 2022**
          Tracking the Funds: Specific Fiscal Year 2022 Provisions for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    GAO-22-105919
      Published:   Sep 29, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Sep 29, 2022
.
    As part of FY22 appropriations, Members of Congress could request to designate a certain amount of federal funding for specific projects in their communities. While agencies often have discretion over how they award funds, Congress has directed them to distribute these funds to designated recipients. We're tracking the funds to help ensure transparency. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' FY22 appropriations included $583.6 million for...
      **Released on   Jun 16, 2022**
          Coastal Navigation: Authorized Purposes of Jetties, Breakwaters, and Other Structures Can Impact Corps' Maintenance and Repair
    GAO-22-104304
      Published:   Jun 16, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 16, 2022
.
    Jetties, breakwaters, and other coastal structures shelter harbor entrances so ships can safely navigate to land. The structures also protect coastlines from erosion during severe storms. The Army Corps of Engineers builds and maintains these structures to congressional specifications. For example, congressional authorization may set the length of a structure, and the Corps may not be able to adjust it for today's more frequent and...
      **Released on   Dec 9, 2021**
          Army Corps of Engineers: Workforce Planning Follows Most Leading Practices but Could Be Enhanced with Additional Actions
    GAO-22-104054
      Published:   Dec 9, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Dec 9, 2021
.
    Civilians make up about 98% of the Army Corps of Engineers' 35,000 personnel. The jobs are highly specialized and it can be difficult for the Corps to recruit, develop, and retain employees. The Corps has taken significant steps to address its workforce challenges. However, its strategic plan for dealing with these challenges is outdated and inconsistently used. While the Corps has generally followed leading practices...
      **Released on   Jul 21, 2021**
          Federal Lands and Waters: Information on Agency Spending for Outdoor Recreation Is Limited
    GAO-21-592
      Published:   Jul 21, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 21, 2021
.
    Federal agencies provide outdoor recreation areas and facilities on the lands and waters that they manage, attracting hundreds of millions of visitors each year. But how much does that cost the agencies? Although they aren't required to do so, most of the 7 federal agencies we reviewed identified some (but not all) of their spending related to outdoor recreation. It is difficult to identify spending...
      **Released on   Jun 17, 2021**
          Southwest Border: Schedule Considerations Drove Army Corps of Engineers' Approaches to Awarding Construction Contracts through 2020
    GAO-21-372
      Published:   Jun 17, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 17, 2021
.
    Army Corps of Engineers received DOD and other funds to construct barriers on the southwest U.S. border. With tight time frames to award some of the DOD-funded construction contracts, the Corps: Awarded $4.3 billion in noncompetitive contracts. (Competition helps ensure the government gets a good price; noncompetitive contracts can be more expensive.) Awarded several contracts that started work before finalizing terms (like cost). We recommended...
      **Released on   Jun 9, 2021**
          Limpieza Efectuada Por El DOD: Se anticipa que los esfuerzos que se llevan a cabo en los antiguos sitios militares en Vieques y Culebra, Puerto Rico, continúen hasta el año 2032
    GAO-21-605
      Published:   Jun 9, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 9, 2021
.
    To see the version of this page in English, see GAO-21-268 . El Departamento de Defensa continúa los esfuerzos de limpieza de municiones y sustancias peligrosas en las antiguas áreas militares en Vieques y Culebra, Puerto Rico, pero queda mucho que hacer. El DOD estima que los esfuerzos de limpieza continuarán hasta el año fiscal 2032. Los costos de esfuerzos anteriores además de los costos...
      **Released on   Mar 26, 2021**
          Defense Cleanup: Efforts at Former Military Sites on Vieques and Culebra, Puerto Rico, Are Expected to Continue through 2032
    GAO-21-268
      Published:   Mar 26, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Mar 26, 2021
.
    Para la versión de esta página en español, ver a GAO-21-605 . The Department of Defense continues cleanup efforts of munitions and hazardous substances at former military sites in Vieques and Culebra, Puerto Rico. But substantial work remains. DOD estimates cleanup efforts will continue through FY 2032. The costs of prior work combined with DOD's reported estimates for planned cleanup on both islands and the...
      **Released on   Mar 10, 2021**
          Davis-Bacon Act: Army Corps of Engineers Provides Guidance on Wage Requirements, but Opportunities Exist to Improve Monitoring
    GAO-21-203R
      Published:   Mar 10, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Mar 10, 2021
.
    The Army Corps of Engineers spends billions of dollars on construction projects nationwide. The Corps' guidance describes how its district staff should monitor contractors' compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires federal construction contractors to pay workers at least the local prevailing wage. However, some guidance sections are unclear, which could lead to inconsistent monitoring. For example, one district reported reviewing 20% of workers' payroll...
      **Released on   Jan 22, 2021**
          U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Information on the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program
    GAO-21-240R
      Published:   Jan 22, 2021
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 22, 2021
.
    The Upper Mississippi river system provides about $1 billion in economic benefits annually through commercial boating and fishing. It's home to over 2.5 million acres of habitats, like wetlands, across 5 states. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is managing the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program, consisting of over 1,000 projects along the river to improve navigation delays and restore ecosystems damaged by humans...
      **Released on   Nov 24, 2020**
          Disaster Response: Agencies Should Assess Contracting Workforce Needs and Purchase Card Fraud Risk
    GAO-21-42
      Published:   Nov 24, 2020
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 24, 2020
.
    Contracts and purchase cards are 2 ways agencies can acquire goods and services to get urgently needed items after a disaster. We assessed selected agencies' planning for contracting workforce needs and purchase card fraud risks related to disaster response and found Not all agencies planned for or assessed their contracting workforce needs for disaster response Only 1 of the 6 agencies assessed how purchase card...
      **Released on   Nov 23, 2020**
          Southwest Border: Information on Federal Agencies' Process for Acquiring Private Land for Barriers
    GAO-21-114
      Published:   Nov 17, 2020
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 23, 2020
.
    An executive order directed the Department of Homeland Security to plan, design, and construct additional barriers along the southwest border in Jan. 2017. Private landowners own a portion of the land that the government needs to construct the barriers. The government purchases pieces of land from willing sellers, or, if that's not possible, acquires the land through a judicial process. The government is working to...
      **Released on   Apr 29, 2020**
          Maritime Infrastructure: A Strategic Approach and Interagency Leadership Could Improve Federal Efforts in the U.S. Arctic
    GAO-20-460
      Published:   Apr 29, 2020
. 
        Publicly Released:   Apr 29, 2020
.
    Climate change has led to record low levels of ice in the U.S. Arctic—prolonging the shipping season and opening up shipping routes. This may expand economic opportunities, but harsh weather and ice conditions—plus the lack of maritime infrastructure—pose safety risks. For example, not having a designated harbor of refuge means ships don’t have a place to moor in an emergency. Agencies have taken steps to...
      **Released on   Apr 22, 2020**
          Defense Infrastructure: Army Should Assess Progress in Standardizing Designs for Facility Construction
    GAO-20-303
      Published:   Apr 22, 2020
. 
        Publicly Released:   Apr 22, 2020
.
    The Army uses standard designs for 70 types of facilities it regularly builds, e.g., barracks and fitness centers. Doing so can improve quality, reduce costs, and streamline contracting. The Army Corps of Engineers’ “Centers for Standardization” should: Develop and refine standard designs Ensure application of the Centers’ standards Monitor the effects of designs The Army tracks the Centers’ progress in developing and refining designs, but...
    
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