NASA OIG Semiannual Report October 1, 2010 - March 31, 2011

"In January 2011, the NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) took the unusual step of sending a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of NASA's congressional oversight and appropriations committees highlighting a situation created by "holdover" language in NASA's fiscal year (FY) 2010 appropriation. The language prohibited NASA from terminating contracts related to the Agency's canceled Constellation Program or starting programs to implement the follow-on human space exploration program called for in the 2010 NASA Authorization Act. The OIG urged Congress to take immediate action to enable NASA to more efficiently redirect its funds to the priorities outlined in the Authorization Act. While not a traditional audit or investigative report, the letter seeks to fulfill the Inspector General Act's directive that OIGs should make recommendations to Congress concerning the impact of legislation on the "economy and efficiency" of their agencies."