Government Performance And Results Act Implementation

In recent years, an understanding has emerged that the Federal government needs to be run in a more businesslike manner that in the past. The Federal government is accountable to the taxpayer, and taxpayers are demanding as never before that the dollars they invest in their government be managed and spent responsibly. Federal agencies often fail to appropriately manage their finances, identify clearly what they intend to accomplish, or get the job done effectively and with minimum of waste. Major statutes hold promise for creating a more accountable and effective Federal government.

Statement of Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller Gen. of the U.S. The federal government is the world's largest and most complex entity, with about $3.5 trillion in outlays in FY 2010 that fund a broad array of programs and operations. GAO's long-term simulations of the federal budget show absent policy change growing deficits accumulating to an unsustainable increase in debt. While the spending side is driven by rising health care costs and demographics, other areas should also be scrutinized. In addition, there are significant performance and management challenges that the federal government needs to confront.This testimony discusses the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Modernization Act of 2010 (GPRAMA), as the administration begins implementing the act. It is based on GAO's past and ongoing work on GPRA implementation, as well as recently issued reports (1) identifying opportunities to reduce potential duplication in government programs, save tax dollars, and enhance revenue; and (2) updating GAO's list of government operations at high risk due to their greater vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or the need for transformation. Figures. This is a print on demand report.

As requested by Congress and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), this report assists federal agencies in crafting plans and reports that are responsive to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), OMB Guidance, and agency missions. Using a case study approach, the report identifies best practices used by individual agencies to evaluate the performance and results of their science and technology programs. The report takes into account individual agencies' missions and how science and technology programs and human resource needs are factored into agency GPRA plans. Specific applications of recommendations are included from COSEPUP's earlier report entitled Evaluating Federal Research Programs: Research and the Government Performance and Results Act.