Active Audit Initiatives Underway at NASA, as of April 2024
NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) Publishes Active Audit Reports
As NASA continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) plays a crucial role in ensuring the agency's operations are efficient, effective, and in compliance with regulations. Currently, the OIG has 17 active audit projects underway as of April 2024, with findings, recommendations, and NASA's responses and planned corrective actions to be included in the public reports.
Two of these audits focus on NASA's financial management. The audit of NASA's Compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (A-24-03-00-FMD) assesses NASA's compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, while the audit of NASA's Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2024 (A-24-05-00-FMD) is being conducted by Ernst & Young LLP.
The audit of NASA's Earth Science Data Systems Program (A-23-09-00-SARD) evaluates whether the program is effectively meeting the needs of the scientific community and the public. Another audit, the Heliophysics Space Weather Science and Applications Program (A-23-10-00-SARD), evaluates the program's effectiveness in advancing scientific knowledge and developing applications to mitigate space weather risks.
Four audits are related to NASA's mission support activities. The audit of NASA's Acquisition Strategy for the Artemis Campaign's Next-Generation Spacesuits (A-23-03-00-STED) reviews NASA's acquisition strategy for these next-generation spacesuits. The audit of NASA's Management of the SOFIA Program (A-23-12-00-SARD) examines NASA's management of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) program. The audit of NASA's Management of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative (A-23-02-00-STED) assesses how effectively NASA is implementing and managing the CLPS program. The audit of NASA's Management of the Gateway Program (A-23-07-00-STED) assesses NASA's management of this complex program, including its acquisition strategy and partnerships with international space agencies.
Five audits are focused on NASA's space technology and exploration programs. The audit of NASA's Compliance with the Geospatial Data Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (A-24-02-00-MSD) assesses how well NASA is managing geospatial data. The audit of NASA's Management of the Space Launch System Program's Stages Contract (A-23-05-00-STED) audits NASA's management of the contract for the rocket's core stage and upper stage. The audit of NASA's Development of the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) (A-23-06-00-STED) examines NASA's development of this innovative exploration vehicle. The audit of NASA's Astrophysics Explorers Program (A-23-11-00-SARD) assesses whether NASA is effectively managing this program to achieve its scientific objectives within cost and schedule constraints. The audit of NASA's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Engagement (A-23-04-00-MSD) evaluates whether NASA is effectively implementing engagement and outreach activities to attract a diverse STEM workforce.
The OIG's work covers a wide range of areas, including astronomy, astrophysics, cybersecurity, defense, financial management, space agencies, and more. The OIG's focus is on the key challenges facing NASA today, including developing new technologies and managing complex international partnerships. As NASA continues to pursue new opportunities in areas like commercial spaceflight and space resource utilization, the OIG will need to stay agile and proactive in identifying emerging risks and challenges.
The OIG helps ensure that NASA can continue to inspire and innovate for generations to come by shining a light on areas for improvement and holding NASA accountable to the highest standards. The results of the active audit projects by the OIG will be published as public reports on the OIG's website. For the most up-to-date and comprehensive details on all ongoing audits and their findings, the best source would be NASA OIG’s official website or their fiscal year 2024 audit report documents directly released by NASA OIG.
- The Earth Science Data Systems Program audit evaluates whether the program is effectively meeting the needs of the scientific community, the public, and the space exploration economy.
- NASA's Compliance with the Geospatial Data Act for Fiscal Year 2024 audit assesses how well NASA manages geospatial data, a crucial aspect of earth observation technology.
- The audit of NASA's Compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act for Fiscal Year 2023 focuses on commercial space transactions, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity within the commercial space sector.
- The audit of NASA's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Engagement evaluates whether NASA is effectively implementing outreach activities to attract a diverse STEM workforce, contributing to the growth and success of the technology industry.
- As part of NASA's space technology and exploration programs, the audit of NASA's Development of the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) aims to assess the progress of a groundbreaking exploration vehicle, furthering the frontiers of space exploration.
