This indicator describes a major service that ES provides to its customer base via the IT Tower -- that being full installation, maintenance (including print supplies), and repair services for a growing base of high performance printing resources located at the Department’s headquarters. The sources for these data are the Cartridges Technologies Incorporated (CTI) Systems, and the ES Tableau Data Environment.

This element/indicator measures the Department’s progress in managing risk through reducing the use of high-risk contracting authorities. High-risk contracting authorities, such as noncompetitive contracting, cost-reimbursement contracts, and time-and materials and labor-hour contracts, pose special risks of overspending. The Department’s high-risk contracting percentage for the base year (FY2009) was 53.4%, and OMB directed that we maintain a 10% reduction from the FY 2009 based on the share of dollars obligated under new contract actions that use high-risk contracting authorities for future FYs. The Department's target is 46.9%, which is a 10% reduction from the FY 2009 base. The target is depicted as a percentage. A percentage equal to or lower than 46.9% is favorable. Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) is the data source that is used for information pertaining to high-risk contracting activities and is the single source for U.S. government-wide procurement data.

This indicator reflects the requirement to maintain compliance and alignment with OMB initiatives, including the guiding principles reflected in the OMB system modernization requirements (split projects into smaller, simpler segments with clear deliverables; focus on most critical needs first; and provide ongoing, transparent project oversight) data center consolidation requirements, and cloud computing requirements (Infrastructure as a Service; Software as a Service). A Score of "1" indicates compliance. A Score of "0" indicates non-compliance. The data is a subjective rating based on the Department’s interactions with OMB, Treasury, and GSA regarding the modernization of the Department's financial, acquisition, and property management systems.

This indicator ensures that the Department of Commerce is accountable to the American people, and that no repeat Significant Deficiencies, formerly known as “Reportable Conditions,” (i.e., deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls) and material weaknesses remain unaddressed.

Sound acquisition practices help guard against inefficiency and waste and improve the ability to obtain quality supplies and services that are on time and within budget. There are many ways to achieve savings through more effective acquisition practices, including: ending contracts that do not meet program needs; negotiating more favorably priced contracts; developing more strategic acquisition approaches; and reengineering ineffective business processes. This element will measure the Department’s progress in reducing spending through more effective acquisition practices.

This indicator measures the number of the Department's acquisition workforce members receiving targeted training on innovative and underutilized procurement and program management techniques through the acquisition innovation lab (The Lab).

Ongoing near real-time awareness and assessment of information security risks to support risk management decisions

This indicator reflects the result of the Financial Statement Audit. The goal is to receive an “unmodified” audit opinion. There are several types of audit opinions: (1) unmodified, in which the Auditor concludes that the Financial Statements give a true and fair view in accordance with the financial reporting framework used for the preparation and presentation of the Financial Statements [SCORE = 1]; (2) modified, in which the Auditor encounters a situation that does not comply with generally accepted accounting principles, however, the rest of the financial statements are fairly presented [SCORE = -1]; and (3) disclaimer, which is issued when the Auditor cannot form, and refuses to present, an opinion on the financial statements [SCORE = 0].

This indicator describes a major service that ES provides to its customer base via the HR Tower -- that being the timely processing of Personnel Action Requests (PARs) which are used to accommodate all categories of pay and non-pay related personnel changes for in-scope bureau employees. Examples include (but are not limited to) interim appointments, return-toduty, change-in-duty station, cash awards, relocation incentive, locality pay, and many others. The sources for these data are: Treasury HR system (HRConnect); NFC Payment system (PAYE and subsystems); ES ServiceNow system; and the ES Tableau Data.