The DATA Act seeks to improve transparency of federal spending. The act requires that each Office of Inspector General (OIG) at federal agencies issue reports on the quality of agency spending data. The OIGs determine quality based on a combination of high-level and detailed tests.
Our review of the 57 OIG reports as of December 31, 2021 found:
- 45 OIGs reported the overall quality of data agencies submitted was of “excellent” or “higher” quality
- 45 OIGs reported agencies correctly used data standards
- 37 OIGs reported agencies had accuracy errors in monetary data
- 44 OIGs made recommendations to improve data quality issues at the agencies…
Recommendations
In March 2022, GAO recommended that Congress consider amending the DATA Act to extend the requirement for OIGs to review the completeness, timeliness, quality, and accuracy of their agencies’ data submissions periodically. GAO is not making recommendations in this report.
The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency noted that GAO’s report provides useful information on OIG efforts to meet oversight and reporting responsibilities under the DATA Act.
