Following an audit report of the Social Security Administration that determined a lack of monitoring of nation-wide data on automation enhancements, U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-GA, has questions for U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Ferguson, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, sent those questions in a letter to Dodaro requesting a review on how the Social Security Administration (SSA) manages and oversees billions of dollars in information technology (IT) investments.
“The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that IT investments by the federal government, including the SSA, have too frequently failed to deliver capabilities in a timely manner. They also incur cost overruns or schedule slippages while contributing little to mission-related outcomes,” Ferguson said. “These investments often lack disciplined and effective management in such areas as project planning, investment management, and program oversight and governance.”
In his letter to Dodaro, Ferguson states that the need for these systems to maintain operations and stay up to date is not only critical for Social Security beneficiaries, but for every worker and business in America.
“Over the past decade, the SSA has spent over $16 billion on IT and cybersecurity and has budgeted an additional $2.1 billion for IT in fiscal year 2023. Despite these sizable IT investments, upgrades to the SSA’s systems continue to be delayed to the detriment of Americans seeking services from the agency,” Ferguson said in the letter.
In the letter, Ferguson listed several questions, including an explanation on how SSA manages and oversees its IT investments. He also asked to what extent the SSA’s IT investment policies and procedures align with federal guidance and best practices on systems development and acquisition.
Other questions included:
● To what extent do the SSA’s IT investment practices adhere to its policies and procedures?
● To what extent do the SSA’s IT investment policies and procedures ensure the agency receives the expected performance over the lifetime of an investment?
● To what extent has the SSA assessed its acquisition workforce to ensure that it has the capacity and skills to award, manage, and oversee contracts to support SSA’s IT investments?
● To what extent has the SSA identified (a) non-acquisition personnel supporting acquisitions; and (b) non-acquisition personnel’s acquisition training needs?
