June 20, 2001

Department of Energy's Implementation of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996

In 1996, Congress passed the Clinger-Cohen Act (Act) to enhance the management and control of information technology. The Act requires Federal Agencies to appoint a Chief Information Officer and to employ a performance-and-results-based approach to managing information technology investments. Congress also has placed significant emphasis on improving efficiencies by better leveraging information technology investments across the Government. The effective use of such resources holds the promise of significant advances in efficiency and reduced cost of operations. In Fiscal Year 2001, the Department estimated that it would expend about $1.4 billion for information technology investments, a significant portion of which supports advanced and scientific supercomputing initiatives. Under these circumstances, it is essential that the Department develop and implement an effective information technology management, investment and control process. The purpose of this report is to highlight problems that have been identified and reported over time with the Department's implementation of Clinger-Cohen requirements. The report is based on a recap of major information technology related audit reports and a review of the Department's implementation initiatives.