National Archives and Records Administration

What Needs to Be Done | Key Reports

The mission of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is to safeguard and preserve the records of the federal government, including presidential records, and ensure ready access to this information to the public, the President, Congress, and the courts. Agency business is increasingly being conducted using electronic documents—including e-mail—which continue to grow in volume and complexity.

Agencies do not always have adequate policies or procedures to ensure that electronic records, including e-mail records, are appropriately identified and preserved.
Highlights of GAO-08-742 (PDF)
NARA's oversight of federal records management has been limited.
Highlights of GAO-08-742 (PDF)
NARA has made progress in developing an Electronic Records Archive (ERA) to store digital federal and presidential records, but the expenditure plan for the system lacks detailed information on the system's cost, acquisition schedule, and performance.
Highlights of GAO-09-733 (PDF)
NARA lacks a contingency plan for the ERA system in the event of a failure or disruption.
Highlights of GAO-09-733 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

Agencies need to ensure that the electronic records policies and procedures follow NARA guidance.
Highlights of GAO-08-742 (PDF)
NARA needs to develop and implement an approach to overseeing agency records management programs that provides adequate assurance that agencies are following NARA guidance.
Highlights of GAO-08-742 (PDF)
NARA needs to provide detailed information in future expenditure plans on ERA program cost, schedule, and system performance to improve the utility of information reported to Congress on ERA system progress.
Highlights of GAO-09-733 (PDF)
NARA needs to develop and implement a system contingency plan for ERA that follows contingency guidance for federal systems.
Highlights of GAO-09-733 (PDF)

Figure: Master Copies of Electronic Records in NARA's Archives

Source: NARA.