The objective of this statutory audit was to review the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) compliance with the requirements outlined under section 759(a) of the Geospatial Data Act. Specifically, we sought to determine whether the Department implemented the 13 covered agency responsibilities listed in section 759(a) of the Geospatial Data Act.
We found that the Department is in compliance with the applicable responsibilities outlined under section 759(a) of the Geospatial Data Act. Specifically, we found that the Department implemented all 12 of the 13 covered agency responsibilities listed in section 759(a) of the Geospatial Data Act that we reviewed. We were unable to evaluate compliance with one covered agency responsibility as the applicable data standards related to this responsibility have not yet been defined by the Federal Geographic Data Committee and the Office of Management and Budget. Although the Department has continued to meet the requirements of the Geospatial Data Act thus far, we noted concerns regarding the allocation of resources that could negatively impact the Department’s ability to remain compliant going forward.
We made three recommendations related to the Department’s continued compliance with the Geospatial Data Act. These included ensuring that the Department continues to implement the covered agency responsibilities listed under section 759(a) of the Geospatial Data Act, ensuring that the Department implements section 759(a)(6) once applicable guidance becomes available, and assessing whether the Department has allocated sufficient resources to support the continued compliance with the Geospatial Data Act.
Department Management