Final answer:
The OIG is mandated to review government agency performance, similar to the GAO, which is Congress's primary audit and oversight arm, producing nonpartisan and fact-based reports on a range of budgetary issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is mandated by public law to perform activities that assess the efficiency and effectiveness of different government agencies. Such requirements are in place to facilitate regular conversations between the agency and its political principals about the agency's performance and potential areas for improvement. The role of the OIG is somewhat similar to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which is Congress's most powerful oversight tool. The GAO provides auditing, evaluation, and investigative services to Congress and executive agencies, aiming to operate in a fact-based and nonpartisan manner. It produces approximately nine hundred reports annually, informing Congress about budgetary issues pertaining to various sectors, including education, health care, and defense. Furthermore, the GAO presents its own annual performance and accountability report to Congress, detailing its achievements and any remaining weaknesses.