Natural Resources and Environment Team

The Government Accountability Office's Natural Resources and Environment Team serves as a specialized division within the GAO, focusing on oversight and evaluation of federal programs related to environmental protection, natural resources management, and energy policy. As part of the legislative branch's primary auditing agency, this team conducts performance audits, program evaluations, and investigations to ensure federal environmental and resource management activities operate efficiently, effectively, and in compliance with established laws and regulations. The team provides objective analysis and recommendations to Congress regarding environmental policies, resource conservation efforts, and sustainable development initiatives across various federal departments and agencies.

The Natural Resources and Environment Team has recently awarded several contracts focused on tribal engagement and scientific expert coordination. In December 2024, the team awarded a $44,202.60 delivery order to the Self Governance Communication & Education Tribal Consortium Inc. for Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council Planning and Convening Meeting services, with performance extending through April 2025. This followed a similar $32,760 delivery order to the same contractor in September 2024 for Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council Oversight and Administrative Support, with performance through September 2025. These awards indicate the GAO's commitment to incorporating tribal and indigenous perspectives into its environmental and natural resource oversight activities.

Additionally, in May 2024, the team awarded a $26,628 firm-fixed-price delivery order to the National Academy of Sciences to provide expert coordination services specifically for developing an expert list on offshore wind energy development. This contract had a performance period through August 2024 and demonstrates the team's interest in securing specialized scientific expertise to inform its evaluation of renewable energy initiatives. All three awards were executed as delivery orders under existing Indefinite Delivery Contracts, suggesting the Natural Resources and Environment Team maintains ongoing relationships with specialized service providers to support its oversight mission. The contracts reveal the team's priorities in both engaging with tribal stakeholders and accessing scientific expertise to inform its evaluations of environmental and natural resource programs.