Report 11-12 - SBA’s Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill April 7, 2011

This report summarizes OIG's review performed in response to a July 2, 2010 letter received from Senator Olympia J. Snowe. The letter inquired about the Small Business Administration's (SBA) strategy for developing economic relief to small business owners impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Specifically, we were asked to provide: (1) total expenditures and additional resources committed by the SBA to assisting disaster victims of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; (2) performance benchmarks that have been reached as a result of the investment; and (3) recommendations for ensuring that SBA's disaster response is cost effective and targeted toward the needs of those concerned. We have previously responded to Senator Snowe regarding the first two requests. Since the third request was to provide recommendations, this report has been addressed to the Agency.

The objectives of this audit were to 1) determine whether SBA's disaster response was most cost effective and targeted toward the needs of those concerned, and 2) provide recommendations for improvement of cost effectiveness and targeting the needs of those concerned.