NASA

NASA has identified the major overall challenge it faces: to manage a world-class research and development agency for aeronautics and space science and technology in a period of resource constraints. NASA has reduced its program plans substantially during the past several years to better align them with likely budgets. Recent plans to balance the federal budget, however, may require NASA to absorb additional reductions. Overall, GAO sees 11 challenges for NASA management. Three require immediate attention: controlling space station costs, managing budget carryover balances, and streamlining management of test facilities. Eight warrant "watchful waiting," or more routine, periodic oversight: overseeing space shuttle operations, reducing Earth Observing System costs, helping develop new launch system technologies, preserving an adequate workforce while downsizing, developing a fully integrated financial management system, determining environmental liability, overseeing contract management activities, and improving information technology management.

GAO noted that: (1) NASA has identified the major overall challenge it faces, to manage a world-class research and development agency for aeronautics and space science and technology in an environment of diminishing resources; (2) NASA has reduced its program plans substantially over the past several years to align them better with likely budgets; (3) however, recent plans for balancing the federal budget may require NASA to absorb additional reductions; (4) to help adjust its programs to likely budgets, NASA began a number of years ago to develop and refine a strategic plan and strategic planning process; (5) key laws, such as the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 and the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, are intended to provide a framework for congressional oversight of agency strategic planning and management to accomplish goals; (6) NASA's strategic planning provides an appropriate starting point for discussing many of the management challenges the agency faces; (7) overall, GAO sees 11 challenges for NASA management; (8) these challenges fall into two categories, three that require immediate attention and eight that warrant "watchful waiting," or more routine, periodic oversight; (9) a primary distinction between the two categories is that the management challenges in GAO's first category may require congressional action to help resolve; and (10) at the Committee's request, GAO provided information several months ago on all 11 challenges.