NASA Office of Inspector General: Active Audit Projects as of April 2024

NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) is responsible for providing independent oversight of the space agency’s programs and operations. As part of this mission, the OIG regularly conducts audits to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of NASA’s activities. The OIG maintains a public list of its active audit projects on its website.

As of April 2024, the OIG has 17 active audit projects underway across NASA’s mission directorates and support offices. These audits cover a wide range of topics, from financial management and cybersecurity to specific science and exploration programs.

Financial Management Audits

The OIG is conducting two audits related to NASA’s financial management in fiscal year 2024:

1. Audit of NASA’s Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Statements (A-24-05-00-FMD): The independent public accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP will perform this audit with oversight from OIG staff. The objective is to determine whether NASA’s financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
2. Audit of NASA’s Compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (A-24-03-00-FMD): This audit will assess NASA’s compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, which seeks to reduce improper payments across federal agencies. The OIG will evaluate whether NASA has adequate procedures in place to identify and recover any improper payments.

Mission Support Audits

The OIG is conducting four audits related to NASA’s mission support activities:

3. NASA’s Compliance with the Geospatial Data Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (A-24-02-00-MSD): This audit will determine how well NASA is managing geospatial data in accordance with the Geospatial Data Act of 2018. Geospatial data refers to information about the geographic location and characteristics of objects on or near the earth’s surface.
4. Audit of NASA’s Awards to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (A-24-04-00-MSD): The objective of this audit is to assess NASA’s practices for encouraging small disadvantaged businesses to participate in contracting and determine whether controls are in place to ensure awards are made to eligible recipients.
5. Evaluation of NASA’s Information Security Program under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (A-24-01-00-MSD): In accordance with FISMA requirements, the OIG is reviewing NASA’s information security program and will report the results to the Office of Management and Budget. This annual review helps ensure NASA’s cybersecurity posture is strong.
6. Audit of NASA’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Engagement (A-23-04-00-MSD): The OIG will evaluate whether NASA is effectively implementing engagement and outreach activities to attract a diverse Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workforce. Cultivating the next generation of scientists and engineers is critical to NASA’s long-term success.

Science and Aeronautics Audits

The OIG has six active audits focused on NASA’s science and aeronautics programs:

7. NASA’s Management of its Rocket Propulsion Test Program (A-23-13-00-SARD): This audit will assess how effectively NASA is implementing and managing its rocket propulsion testing capabilities, which are essential for developing new space transportation systems.
8. Audit of NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Program (A-23-12-00-SARD): SOFIA is an airborne observatory that studies the universe in the infrared spectrum. The OIG is examining NASA’s management of the SOFIA program and its plans for the future of this unique scientific platform.
9. Audit of NASA’s Astrophysics Explorers Program (A-23-11-00-SARD): The Astrophysics Explorers Program conducts small- and medium-sized missions to study the universe. The OIG is assessing whether NASA is effectively managing this program to achieve its scientific objectives within cost and schedule constraints.
10. Audit of NASA’s Heliophysics Space Weather Science and Applications Program (A-23-10-00-SARD): This audit focuses on NASA’s efforts to understand and predict space weather events that can impact Earth. The OIG will evaluate the program’s effectiveness in advancing scientific knowledge and developing applications to mitigate space weather risks.
11. Audit of NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program (A-23-09-00-SARD): NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program is responsible for managing the vast amounts of data collected by the agency’s Earth observation satellites. The OIG is assessing whether the program is effectively meeting the needs of the scientific community and the public.
12. Audit of NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (A-23-08-00-SARD): The Planetary Defense Coordination Office is responsible for detecting and tracking near-Earth objects that could pose a threat to our planet. The OIG is evaluating the office’s effectiveness in carrying out its mission and coordinating with other agencies and international partners.

Space Technology and Exploration Audits

The OIG has five active audits related to NASA’s space technology and exploration programs:

13. Audit of NASA’s Management of the Gateway Program (A-23-07-00-STED): The Gateway is a planned space station in lunar orbit that will serve as a staging point for missions to the Moon and eventually Mars. The OIG is assessing NASA’s management of this complex program, including its acquisition strategy and partnerships with international space agencies.
14. Audit of NASA’s Development of the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) (A-23-06-00-STED): VIPER is a robotic rover that will explore the Moon’s south pole region in search of water ice and other resources. The OIG is examining NASA’s development of this innovative exploration vehicle.
15. NASA’s Management of the Space Launch System Program’s Stages Contract (A-23-05-00-STED): The Space Launch System (SLS) is NASA’s heavy-lift rocket designed to send astronauts and cargo to the Moon and beyond. The OIG is auditing NASA’s management of the contract for the rocket’s core stage and upper stage, which are critical components of the SLS.
16. Audit of NASA’s Acquisition Strategy for the Artemis Campaign’s Next-Generation Spacesuits (A-23-03-00-STED): NASA is developing advanced spacesuits for astronauts to wear during Artemis missions to the Moon. The OIG is reviewing NASA’s acquisition strategy for these next-generation spacesuits to ensure they meet the agency’s needs and are delivered on time and within budget.
17. NASA’s Management of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative (A-23-02-00-STED): Through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, NASA is partnering with private companies to deliver science and technology payloads to the lunar surface. The OIG is assessing how effectively NASA is implementing and managing the CLPS program.

Summary

These active audit projects demonstrate the wide scope of the OIG’s oversight responsibilities at NASA. By conducting thorough and objective audits, the OIG helps ensure that NASA is managing its programs effectively, spending taxpayer dollars wisely, and achieving its ambitious goals in space exploration and scientific discovery.

The results of these audits will be published in the coming months on the OIG’s website in the form of public reports. These reports will include findings, recommendations, and NASA’s responses and planned corrective actions. Through this transparent reporting process, the OIG plays a vital role in promoting accountability and driving continuous improvement across NASA.

As NASA continues to push the boundaries of space exploration with programs like Artemis and the Mars Sample Return mission, effective oversight will be more important than ever. The OIG’s active audit projects show that the office is focused on the key challenges facing NASA today, from developing new technologies to managing complex international partnerships.

Looking ahead, the OIG will continue to adapt its oversight approach to keep pace with NASA’s evolving mission. As NASA pursues 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.

Ultimately, the OIG’s work is essential to helping NASA achieve its vision of expanding human knowledge and presence in space for the benefit of all humanity. By shining a light on areas for improvement and holding NASA accountable to the highest standards, the OIG helps ensure that the agency can continue to inspire and innovate for generations to come.