Priority Open Recommendations: Office of Science and Technology Policy
Fast Facts
Each year, we make more than 1,000 recommendations to help the federal government save money, address issues on our High Risk List, and significantly improve government operations.
This letter to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) outlines 8 open recommendations that it should prioritize. For example, we recommended that OSTP identify the best available climate information for use in infrastructure planning to help limit the fiscal risks of climate change.
OSTP implemented 2 recommendations we identified as a priority last year.
We regularly update priority recommendations here.
Highlights
What GAO Found
In May 2023, GAO identified 7 priority recommendations for the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Since then, OSTP has implemented 2 of those recommendations by, among other things, taking actions to implement leading practices that enhance and sustain collaboration.
In August 2024, GAO identified 3 additional priority recommendations for OSTP, bringing the total number to 8. These recommendations involve the following areas:
- managing climate change risks,
- addressing national goals through strategic planning and improved data,
- regulating artificial intelligence, and
- addressing research security risks.
OSTP's continued attention to these issues could lead to significant improvements in government operations.
Why GAO Did This Study
Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or ensure that programs comply with laws and funds are legally spent, among other benefits. Since 2015 GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.
For more information, contact John Neumann at (202) 512-6888 or neumannj@gao.gov.