Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund: State Should Better Assure the Effective Use of Program Authorities
Abstract
The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional weapons poses significant threats to U.S. and international security. State's NDF began operating in 1994 to help combat such threats by funding a variety of nonproliferation and disarmament projects. NDF's legal authorities provide it significant flexibility to perform its work and it has initiated high-profile projects in locations that are significant to U.S. interests. Nonetheless, questions have been raised about how NDF has used its authorities, including its authority to carry over balances into future fiscal years, and the extent to which NDF is effectively implementing its activities. This report examines (1) State's use of NDF authorities in developing and implementing NDF projects and (2) the extent to which State has conducted a program evaluation of NDF and used this information to improve program performance. To conduct this review, GAO analyzed NDF program and project data and documentation, analyzed a sample of NDF project close-out documents, and interviewed NDF and other U.S. officials. GAO recommends that State (1) develop a methodology for determining the amount of carryover reserves needed to meet program requirements, (2) develop guidance for determining when inactive NDF projects should be closed out, (3) conduct periodic program evaluations of NDF, and (4) establish requirements for the types of information to be included in project close-out reports. State agreed with the recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1180449
Entities
People
- Jeff Phillips
- Jose M. Iii Pena
- Lynn Cothern
- Mark Dowling
- Martin de Alteriis
- Ryan Vaughan
- Thomas Melito
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office