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Open Recommendations (95 total)

Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure: Applying Leading Practices Could Help Better Manage Project Backlogs of at Least $2.6 Billion

GAO-19-82
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should include supporting details about competing project alternatives and report trade-offs in Congressional budget requests and related reports. (Recommendation 6)
Open
In February 2019, GAO reported that Coast Guard budget requests did not provide Congress with accurate information about its funding needs. Specifically, we found that the Coast Guard did not meet this leading practice as its budget requests (1) have not clearly identified funding allotted for routine shore infrastructure maintenance needs, and (2) have not generally addressed deferred maintenance and repair deficiencies, resulting in increases to its backlogs. Specifically, GAO found that budget requests related to shore infrastructure for fiscal years 2012 through 2019 did not provide Congress with required and complete information, as previously noted, necessary to inform decision-makers of the risks posed by untimely investments in maintenance and repair backlogs. GAO also reported that the Coast Guard annual Unfunded Priorities List does not clearly articulate prioritization decisions, including information about trade-offs among competing project alternatives, as well as the impacts on missions conducted from shore facilities in disrepair that had not been prioritized in previous years, nor is it aligned with its requirements-based budget targets for shore infrastructure. In 2019, DHS concurred with GAO's recommendation that the Coast Guard include supporting details about competing project alternatives and report trade-offs in Congressional budget requests and related reports. In addition, in its August 2019 180-day letter response, DHS stated that the Coast Guard Office of Budget and Programs will include additional information in the future Unfunded Priorities Lists. As of August 2021, the Coast Guard backlog of deferred maintenance was about $958 million, an increase of more than $58 million since August 2018 yet the Coast Guard's Fiscal Year 2022 Congressional Budget Justification requested just $37 million to address this backlog. In July 2021, the Coast Guard requested closure of this recommendation as not implemented. According to the Coast Guard, it concurs with the intent of GAO's recommendation, but addressing this recommendation is challenging due to limitations imposed by OMB and DHS guidance. As of January 2024, the Coast Guard is working toward publishing some related information to its website. GAO will continue to monitor Coast Guard efforts to report supporting details about competing project alternatives and trade-offs. Without such information about Coast Guard budgetary requirements, Congress will lack critical information that could help to prioritize funding to address the Coast Guard's shore infrastructure backlogs.

Transitioning Veterans: Coast Guard Needs to Improve Data Quality and Monitoring of Its Transition Assistance Program

GAO-18-135
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard To ensure that all eligible Coast Guard servicemembers are provided the opportunity to complete the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), the Commandant of the Coast Guard should, once reliable data are available by installation or unit, enable unit commanders and the higher-level commanders to whom they report to access TAP performance information specifically for the units they oversee so that they can monitor compliance with all TAP requirements. (Recommendation 6)
Open
The Coast Guard concurred with our recommendation. On November 21, 2021, the Coast Guard published an updated Commandant Instruction describing how the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is administered and how USCG collects and reports data on TAP compliance. As of May 2023, the Coast Guard will provide training to field Transition Managers on Identifying separating and transitioning members through DoD TAP-IT, with training expected to be done by September 30, 2024. In FY2024, the Coast Guard plans to fully implement member tracking. They are developing training for transition managers regarding the requirements in the updated Commandant Instruction and use of the DoD tracking system to include CAPSTONE, also due to be completed by September 30, 2024. We will consider closing this recommendation when these efforts are complete.

DOD and Coast Guard: Actions Needed to Increase Oversight and Management Information on Hazing Incidents Involving Servicemembers

GAO-16-226
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard To promote greater visibility over the extent of hazing in the Coast Guard to better inform actions to address hazing, the Commandant of the Coast Guard should evaluate the prevalence of hazing in the Coast Guard.
Open
DHS concurred with this recommendation in its written comments on our report. In 2017 the Coast Guard surveyed servicemembers on hazing and stated that it planned to, but had not yet conducted an evaluation of prevalence. However, in July 2018, the Coast Guard stated that no further analysis was planned for the 2017 survey data. The Coast Guard stated that a second survey was planned for 2019, but did not identify any plans to evaluate the prevalence of hazing in the Coast Guard. As of October 2020, the Coast Guard has not provided a requested update on the status of the implementation of this recommendation or indicated any ongoing plans to implement it. In July 2021, Coast Guard officials stated that while the Coast Guard has not conducted a formal assessment of the prevalence of hazing in the Coast Guard, it has updated policy and training requirements related to the prevention of hazing. It has also tracked reported hazing incidents and determined that, based on a comparison of reported hazing incidents with other types of prohibited behaviors, hazing in the Coast Guard is minimal, both comparatively and on an absolute basis. For example, in fiscal year 2020, the Coast Guard officials stated that they recorded 2 unsubstantiated hazing incidents and 1 substantiated incident. As such, Coast Guard officials told us that they do not plan to take any further action because they believe they have met the intent of our recommendation and that it would not be worth the resources to conduct a formal assessment of hazing prevalence. These efforts do not meet the intent of our recommendation since an evaluation of prevalence has not been conducted. In February 2022, Coast Guard officials stated that the Coast Guard's position on the recommendation remains unchanged, and it does not plan to implement the recommendation. Although the Coast Guard has no plans to take further action relative to this recommendation, DOD currently has efforts underway to address harassment, including hazing, within the military services, that may have implications for how the Coast Guard identifies and handles such incidents. As of November 2023, DOD's efforts to address harassment are still underway and we will continue to monitor DOD's efforts to determine what, if any impact it may have on an evaluation of the prevalence of hazing in the Coast Guard, and we will update the recommendation status accordingly.

Coast Guard: Assessing Deployable Specialized Forces' Workforce Needs Could Improve Efficiency and Reduce Potential Overlap or Gaps in Capabilities

GAO-20-33
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard The Coast Guard should conduct a comprehensive analysis of its Deployable Specialized Forces' workforce needs. (Recommendation 1)
Open
In November 2019, GAO reported that the Coast Guard did not fully apply a leading practice for using data and evidence when it reorganized its Deployable Specialized Forces because it had not assessed its overall Specialized Forces workforce needs, as recommended by this practice. The Coast Guard, through DHS, concurred with GAO's recommendation that it conduct a comprehensive analysis of its Specialized Forces' workforce needs. In its May 2020 180-day letter response, DHS stated that the Coast Guard identified its Maritime Safety and Security Team as the highest priority Specialized Forces unit for workforce analysis and that it was scheduled to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2021. In October 2023, the Coast Guard informed GAO that it was in the process of conducting mission analysis reports on two Specialized Forces, but that the service faced challenges with data quality issues. However, completion of the three remaining Specialized Force unit types is subject to available funding and the service had not established an estimated completion date. As GAO reported in November 2019, officials from some of these units stated that they experienced periods of underutilization, while other units with the same or similar capabilities turned down operations for lack of available personnel. Without a comprehensive analysis in place, the Coast Guard does not have the assurance that it has the requisite number of personnel in the right units to conduct the required missions.

Coast Guard: Assessing Deployable Specialized Forces' Workforce Needs Could Improve Efficiency and Reduce Potential Overlap or Gaps in Capabilities

GAO-20-33
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard The Coast Guard should assess the extent to which unnecessary overlap or duplication exists among Deployable Specialized Forces' capabilities. (Recommendation 2)
Open
In November 2019, GAO reported that the Coast Guard did not address potential overlap and duplication within its Specialized Forces. GAO identified some overlap among the capabilities of the different Specialized Forces units and the Coast Guard missions they support. The Coast Guard did not agree with the recommendation in its November 2019 response to GAO's draft report. However, in technical comments provided in March 2020, the Coast Guard indicated that as of February 2020 it had not conducted the analysis necessary to fully identify potential overlap among the units. In its May 2020 180-day letter response, DHS stated that given funding constrains and competing mission requirements, the Coast Guard could not consider conducting analyses not directly tied to improving mission outcomes. In October 2023, the Coast Guard informed GAO that it was in the process of conducting mission analysis reports, but that the service faced challenges with data quality issues. However, completion of mission analyses for the remaining three unit types is subject to available funding and the service had not established an estimated completion date. The Coast Guard noted that the analysis would include identifying whether gaps or redundancies impact its specialized forces' effectiveness and efficiency and would help inform program management. GAO continues to maintain that overlapping capabilities among units could indicate inefficiencies in how units are used as well as missed opportunities for use in others. Without a comprehensive analysis in place, the Coast Guard does not have the assurance that it has the requisite number of personnel in the right units to conduct the required missions. GAO will continue to monitor Coast Guard actions to address this recommendation.

Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure: Applying Leading Practices Could Help Better Manage Project Backlogs of at Least $2.6 Billion

GAO-19-82
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3 Open Recommendations
1 Priority
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should direct program managers to establish shore infrastructure performance goals, measures, and baselines to track the effectiveness of maintenance and repair investments and provide feedback on progress made. (Recommendation 2)
Open – Partially Addressed
The Coast Guard concurred with this recommendation and said it would take steps to implement it. As of November 2023, the Coast Guard had developed a memo describing how maintenance and repair projects should be prioritized, including metrics to measure the condition of shore assets. According to the Coast Guard, the service is in the process of entering data into its system for evaluating and tracking investment decisions, which is a key step toward establishing shore infrastructure baselines, performance goals, and measures. GAO will continue to monitor Coast Guard progress toward tracking the effectiveness of maintenance and repair investments and providing feedback on progress made. Establishing baselines, goals, and measures based on the data the Coast Guard is in the process of recording would better position the Coast Guard to assess its effectiveness and take appropriate actions to improve the condition of its shore infrastructure.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should work with Congress to develop and implement a process to routinely align Coast Guard's shore infrastructure portfolio with mission needs, including by disposing of all unneeded assets. (Recommendation 3)
Open
The Coast Guard concurred with this recommendation and said it would take steps to implement it. As of January 2023, the Coast Guard reported that its draft updated guidance--to include a formalized process to assess current and projected operational and mission support needs to identify and recommend disposal of unneeded land, buildings, and structures--is substantially complete. The Coast Guard drafted new policy and process to assess land and structures in alignment with the new lease accounting standard issued by the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board in Spring 2023. As of January 2024, the draft is undergoing final review and the Coast Guard expects to publish it in February 2024. GAO will continue to monitor Coast Guard alignment of its infrastructure portfolio with mission needs.
United States Coast Guard
Priority Rec.
The Commandant of the Coast Guard should employ models for its asset lines for predicting the outcome of investments, analyzing trade-offs, and optimizing decisions among competing investments. (Recommendation 5)
Open – Partially Addressed
In 2019, GAO reported that the Coast Guard generally has not employed models for predicting the outcome of maintenance investments and optimizing among competing investments, as called for in leading practices. GAO found that, in one instance, the Coast Guard used a model to optimize maintenance for its aviation pavement and, according to Coast Guard officials, found that it could save nearly $14 million by accelerating investment in this area (e.g., paving runways) sooner rather than deferring such maintenance. Coast Guard officials told GAO that such modeling could be applied within and across all of its shore infrastructure asset types, but the Coast Guard did not implement the results of this model and does not require their use. Employing models to predict the future condition and performance of facilities could potentially identify and achieve cost savings, according to leading practices. The Coast Guard concurred with GAO's recommendation that it employ models for its asset lines for predicting the outcome of investments, analyzing trade-offs, and optimizing decisions among competing investments. The Coast Guard selected a model, but as of November 2023, the Coast Guard informed GAO that it will take around five years to complete and analyze facility conditions using the model. The Coast Guard should endeavor to use its model to predict the outcome of investments and analyze trade-offs as soon as possible, efforts which we will continue to monitor. Optimizing decisions among competing investments would better position the Coast Guard to improve its operations and achieve cost savings over time.

Commercial Fishing Vessels: More Information Needed to Improve Classification Implementation

GAO-18-16
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard The Coast Guard should issue regulations or guidance to clarify and implement the alternative-to-class approach. (Recommendation 4)
Open
The Department of Homeland Security concurred with our recommendation that the Coast Guard issue regulations or guidance to clarify and implement the alternative-to-class approach. The Coast Guard stated they had a comprehensive discussion with commercial fishing industry members in November 2018, clarifying the alternative-to-class approach as it relates to commercial fishing vessels including discussion topics such as understanding the language of 46 USC 4503 and State Licensed Naval Architect and Marine Engineers' scope of responsibilities when incorporating standards equivalent to those prescribed by a classification society. As of June 2021, Coast Guard officials stated they are studying the adequacy of the alternative-to-class approach and will consider additional guidance when the study concludes in 2026. As of February 2023, the study is ongoing and GAO will continue to monitor.

Coast Guard: Actions Needed to Close Stations Identified as Overlapping and Unnecessarily Duplicative

GAO-18-9
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should establish and follow a sound air station optimization process similar to its process for analyzing boat stations to allow it to comprehensively analyze its need for air stations and air facilities and determine what changes may be needed. (Recommendation 1)
Open
In 2017, GAO reported that a 2014 Coast Guard contracted analysis of selected air stations and air facilities identified overlap and unnecessary duplication but it did not comprehensively review all air stations and air facilities. The analysis determined that certain air facilities (Newport, Oregon, and Charleston, South Carolina) provided overlapping search and rescue coverage, some of which was unnecessarily duplicative. Coast Guard officials used the results of this analysis to support proposed closures of the air facilities in the President's Fiscal Year 2014 Budget. However, shortly before their planned closure date, the Coast Guard encountered strong opposition to the closures at the local, state, and Congressional levels, and did not close them. The Coast Guard agreed with GAO's recommendation that it establish and follow a sound air station optimization process and comprehensive analysis to determine what changes may be needed. In its December 2017 60-Day letter response, DHS said the Coast Guard will utilize the FY 2020 Planning, Programming, Budget, and Execution cycle to identify efficiencies in air station optimization and that the cycle is proceeding as planned. However, the response did not say whether the Coast Guard will act on findings and permanently close stations identified as overlapping, unnecessarily duplicative, and unnecessary, if any are identified. As of January 2024, the agency has identified the need for further analysis and estimates, and the projected completion time for these analyses is several years. In addition, the Coast Guard plans to consider additional air station optimization as part of its efforts to recapitalize its rotary wing aircraft fleet, which is in the initial planning stage.
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