GAO’s annual report on duplication in federal programs contains some duplication of its own, pointing out that many of the programs it has named in the past remain on the list.
The report, which addresses not only duplication but also fragmentation (the scattering of similar responsibilities) and overlap (a less thorough form of duplication), shows that of 544 recommended actions since 2011, only 41 percent have been fully addressed—although those alone were credited with $125 billion in savings—20 percent were not addressed at all and the rest were partly addressed.
The latest report identifies 37 new areas as candidates to improve efficiency, 22 more areas where costs could be reduced or revenue collections increased, and another 12 areas of duplication, fragmentation or overlap.
New recommendations touch on topics including: consolidating IT and other operations in DHS HR programs; untangling the roles of financial regulatory agencies; purchase and control of mobile devices by agencies; disposal of excess DoD property that could be used by other agencies or by state and local governments; coordinating responsibilities for physical protection of federal facilities; use of “bridge” contracts, extensions of existing contracts and non-competitive short-term contracts; and leasing of federal vehicles.
