# GAO Flags DOGE System Access Gaps

A September 29, 2026, GAO review of DOGE teams’ access to federal agency information systems from March 2025 through September 2026 found that six agencies did not provide complete records or respond fully, preventing GAO from verifying the scope of access or whether safeguards were applied. The systems covered sensitive functions including contracts, grants, finances, and personnel. The review identifies an oversight and documentation concern for contractors supporting federal systems, but no specific solicitation, contract award, or immediate procurement opportunity.

- Contractors supporting agency systems should ensure access permissions, activity logs, security and privacy training, background checks, and user agreements are documented and available for audit, as applicable to their work.
- Agencies’ difficulty establishing who accessed sensitive systems and whether safeguards were followed may increase scrutiny of access controls, least-privilege permissions, and audit-ready records in contractor-supported environments.
- Because the signals identify no procurement action, contractors can use the findings to review their existing system-access documentation and controls rather than treat this as a bid opportunity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

### Sources
- [GAO: Agencies Failed to Provide Full Records on DOGE System Access – MeriTalk](https://www.meritalk.com/articles/gao-agencies-failed-to-provide-full-records-on-doge-system-access) - MeriTalk
- [Agencies largely stonewall GAO on audit of DOGE’s data practices | FedScoop](https://fedscoop.com/gao-report-doge-data-security-federal-agencies) - FedScoop
- [Agencies withheld records needed to verify DOGE data safeguards, GAO says - Nextgov/FCW](https://www.fcw.com/policy/2026/09/agencies-withheld-records-needed-verify-doge-data-safeguards-gao-says/416305) - Nextgov/FCW