Skip to content
TeamCOG
TeamCOG
Citizens Observing Government
Try
Reports Agencies Topics Podcast Newsroom About Subscribe
Legislation

Topic: Legislation

FEDE U.S. Government Accountability Office · Audits audits

Weapon Systems Acquisition: Beyond Business as Usual—Using Leading Practices to Curb Waste and Save Billions

What GAO Found In weapon systems acquisition, waste is not merely about individual overpriced parts; it is the systemic loss of billions of dollars and decades of time. Since 1990, the Department of Defense’s (DOD) costliest weapon programs have wasted billions while often failing to deliver a usable capability to the field. For example, the Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation program—intended to provide augmented-reality headgear for soldiers for close combat—has yet to deliver operational capability after three different acquisition efforts over the last 8 years. Though the program produced nearly 10,000 units of the first two versions, they do not meet soldiers’ needs and will go into..

FEDE U.S. Government Accountability Office · Audits audits

Immigration Detention: Waste and Performance Issues at Camp East Montana Provide Valuable Lessons for Future Facilities

What GAO Found In August 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s largest immigration detention facility to date (known as Camp East Montana) opened on U.S. Army Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. GAO found that the Army—which awarded and administered the $1.3 billion facility contract—and ICE expedited the award and construction schedule for the facility. This negatively affected their planning and acquisition. Army and ICE officials indicated that the expedited time frames directed by senior leadership dictated several decisions related to their acquisition approach, such as using a contracting vehicle not previously used for detention services. They also selected a contractor th.

FEDE U.S. Government Accountability Office · Audits audits

Disaster Contracting: Actions Needed to Encourage Advance Contract Use and Improve Information Sharing and Oversight

What GAO Found When communities are hit by a major disaster—such as a flood, hurricane, or wildfire—a key first step is removing large quantities of debris so that they can begin to recover. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can help them respond quickly by awarding contracts before disasters strike. Tribes, states, and localities may also award their own advance contracts for debris removal. GAO found that six of 16 selected governments had awarded advance contracts for debris removal and identified benefits of having them, such as speed of debris removal. GAO also found confusi.

FEDE U.S. Government Accountability Office · Audits audits

DHS Annual Assessment: Dynamic Environment Affects Efforts to Manage Acquisition Risks

What GAO Found The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components spend billions annually on programs to acquire systems and capabilities that support national security. In fiscal year (FY) 2025, GAO reviewed 27 DHS major acquisition programs—generally, those with total costs over $300 million. To support timely delivery of capabilities and minimize cost growth, DHS policy requires programs to get DHS approval for their baseline cost, schedule, and performance goals. Of the 27 programs reviewed, 19 had received this approval while the other 8 had not yet reached the stage where this was required. As of September 30, 2025, 15 of the 19 programs had revised their baseline goals.

FEDE Office of the Federal Register / National Archives and Records Administration · Rulemaking audits

Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

Postal Service | Notice | The United States Postal Service (USPS) is responding to public comments regarding modifications to a General Privacy Act System of Records (SOR) that supports two continuous improvement initiatives. The first initiative is the Highway Contract Route (HCR) Driver's License scanning initiative to transition from a decentralized paper- based system to a centralized platform. The second initiative is the implementation of the USPS HCR scanning mobile application which is designed to enhance the visibility and operational efficiency of USPS contractor-transported mail by leveraging advanced tracking and scanning technologies. There will be no changes to the SOR or its..