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GAO-25-107695 1 (2025-02-20)

handle is hein.gao/gaormq0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Why This Matters Key Takeaways We provide audited agencies with an opportunity to review and comment on draft reports before we issue a final report.' For the Department of Defense (DOD), this period is usually 30 days, but it can range from 7 to 30 days.2 Additionally, for any reports that may contain controlled unclassified or classified information, we request that the department complete a review of such information and communicate the results of the review in writing to us. Sensitivity reviews are completed to identify sensitive information, such as controlled unclassified information. Reviews for classified information, such as information designated as Secret or Top Secret, are generally referred to as security reviews. Delays in DOD submitting agency comments and sensitivity/security reviews result in our issuing products later than congressionally directed or requested. Following concerns raised about the timeliness of DOD comments and reviews and the effect on our ability to issue our reports in time to inform congressional and public debate, the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 included a provision for us to report every 6 months over a 2-year period on the extent to which DOD submitted agency comments on and sensitivity/security reviews of our draft products in a timely manner and in accordance with our protocols.3 This report is the final in a series of four reports on this topic, covering the period of May 11, 2024, to November 6, 2024. * DOD's timeliness in providing agency comments and sensitivity/security reviews has decreased significantly from December 2022 to November 2024. Specifically, the average number of days DOD took to provide agency comments on draft GAO reports increased by 23 percent over the 2-year period. For sensitivity and security reviews, the average number of days DOD took to review our reports increased by 58 percent and 138 percent, respectively. * During this final 6-month review period, DOD submitted 55 percent of its agency comments, 88 percent of its sensitivity reviews, and 67 percent of its security reviews after the 30-day deadline for the period of May 11, 2024, to November 6, 2024. * Agency comments. DOD took 42 days, on average, to submit agency comments. For about half of the reports, it took an additional 29 days, on average, past the deadline. In one case, DOD took 152 additional days past the deadline, for a total of 182 days. Due to continued delays in DOD providing responses, GAO took the unusual step of issuing three reports without agency comments during this 6-month period. * Sensitivity/security reviews. On average, DOD completed sensitivity reviews in 54 days and security reviews in 74 days. For one sensitivity Page 1 GAO-25-1 07695 DOD Reviews and Responses to GAO Reports Page 1 GAO-25-107695 DOD Reviews and Responses to GAO Reports

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