New Team at GAO Plans To Focus on Science, Technology

The future is all about science and technology, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has taken notice.

For those new to the business of Washington, D.C., GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. Often called the "congressional watchdog," GAO examines how taxpayer dollars are spent and provides Congress and federal agencies with objective, reliable information to help the government save money and work more efficiently.

GAO officials report on various different topics. In recent weeks, it announced that it has put together a new Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics Team to better meet Congress’ growing need for information on science and technology issues. It is combining and enhancing its technology assessment functions and its science and technology evaluation into a single, more prominent office designed to better help Congress make decisions on cutting-edge topics, such as artificial intelligence, regenerative medicine, 5G wireless communication and quantum computing.

On the grants side, the new team can better assist in determining how to best appropriate federal investments in research, development and advanced manufacturing to improve U.S. economic competitiveness. By consolidating its science and technology work in one unit and adding additional resources, GAO anticipates synergies that will enhance its work for Congress. This increased emphasis on science and technology is sure to please research universities and institutions striving to get a greater voice to lawmakers about their issues and concerns.

The new team’s duties are to:

• conduct technology assessments and provide technical assistance directly to Congress;
• review science and technology programs in the federal government;
• compile and utilize best practices in the engineering sciences, including cost, schedule, and technology readiness assessment; and
• establish an audit innovation lab to explore, pilot and deploy new advanced analytic capabilities, information assurance auditing, and emerging technologies that are expected to greatly impact auditing practices.

Chief Scientist and Managing Director Timothy Persons and Managing Director John Neumann, formerly a director on GAO’s Natural Resources and Environment audit team, will jointly manage the new office. GAO plans to double the size of its current combined science and technology workforce over the next few years.

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