Broadband Access to the internet is vital for daily things to do including education and learning, operate, and healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the value of usage of broadband as well as the “digital divide” concerning all those who have accessibility and those that usually do not. Tens of millions of Americans lack broadband, Even with at least $44 billion in federal expenditure from fiscal years 2015 by means of 2020.
Congress really should take into consideration environment a lengthy-array concentrate on for the size and configuration in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) that normally takes into account projections for upcoming oil output, oil usage, the efficacy of the prevailing SPR to answer domestic source disruptions, and Intercontinental obligations.
DLA is responsible for making certain that demilitarization codes are reliable throughout DOD and for documenting the rationale for just about any code variations in its central databases.
In reaction, SBA and USPTO signed a last partnership agreement in August 2022, which is able to stay in place for 3 yrs. One example is, SBA and USPTO will jointly determine mental house training and teaching courses and leverage present training products for that education of inventors and small company fears.
DOD officers informed GAO in Oct 2021 which they have been acquiring but experienced not issued guidance and agreements to outline the roles and tasks in the army solutions and organizations as contributors in AI collaboration. On top of that, that they had not recognized time frames for issuing the steerage and agreements.
Company Remarks and GAO’s Evaluation: GAO furnished a draft of the report portion to DOD for critique and comment. DOD stated that it did not have remarks on this report area.
GAO also uncovered that most organizations did not report improper payment estimates For brand new COVID-19 aid packages for fiscal 12 months 2021. Beneath the Workplace of Administration and Spending plan’s (OMB’s) guidance, companies are not directed to ascertain no matter whether their packages should really estimate and report inappropriate payments inside their Original 12 months of Procedure. Specifically, according to the steering, businesses should really total a threat evaluation to ascertain susceptibility to significant incorrect payments after the initial 12 months of system functions; a willpower of susceptibility triggers reporting prerequisites in the subsequent fiscal calendar year.
Congress really should reauthorize the very first Responder Network Authority by 2027 to ensure the continuity of the general public-safety broadband network and assortment of likely revenues of billions of pounds around 15 a long time.
Agency Remarks and GAO’s Evaluation: GAO presented a draft of the report part to OMB for evaluate and remark. In February 2023, OMB commented that OMB supports the intent of GAO’s proposed congressional steps. OMB said that businesses really read more should very first target pinpointing and being familiar with payment integrity dangers to help you avoid poor payments, then target reporting incorrect payments.
Also, when NNSA and DOD officers from these plans perform With all the exact same overseas officers, the companies might extend the potential on the partnering region that will help them tackle precisely the same hazards.
The Nationwide Nuclear Security Administration and Section of Protection can improved deal with overlapping endeavours and keep away from possibly burdensome duplication by clarifying and documenting roles and obligations when working in the exact same countries.
In June 2022, GAO manufactured two suggestions: (one) EOP, from the National Financial Council, should really create a national tactic with distinct roles, ambitions, and general performance measures for closing the hole in broadband obtain on tribal lands as part of a broader national broadband approach; and (two) NTIA should establish a framework in the American Broadband Initiative for addressing tribal barriers.
We also analyzed, for the extent attainable, irrespective of whether economical or other Added benefits are recognized, and involved this data as proper. To recognize monetary and other benefits understood due to employing our matters and proposals, we interviewed applicable company and system officials, and collected and analyzed knowledge on the net good thing about these actions. Much more element on our methodology for analyzing recognized monetary benefits is offered beneath.
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified ongoing problems about air travel’s exclusive job in spreading condition and elevated questions on wellness challenges to passengers and crew security from communicable disorders. Interdisciplinary research—Specifically involving human habits in real-globe conditions—could deliver insights into the efficiency of varied communicable disorder mitigation measures and tell the development of proof-dependent plan and requirements to protect public overall health.