GAO calls for more detailed electronic records expenditure plan

The Government Accountability Office has given the National Archives and Records Administration mixed reviews on its 2006 expenditure plan for electronic records.

Since 2001, NARA has been working to acquire an e-archiving system that looks to address critical issues in the creation, management, and use of federal records. The agency must submit its fiscal-year expenditure plans to congressional Appropriations committees.

GAO recommends that the U.S. archivist ensure that future expenditure plans include enough information for Congress to effectively oversee the program. NARA's 2006 plan partially met capital planning and investment control requirements and partially complied with NARA's technology framework.

NARA did comply "with acquisition rules, requirements, guidelines, and system acquisition management practices of the federal government," GAO said.