The U.S. Department of the Interior Has an Opportunity To Protect Its Research and Development

Submitting OIG:

Report Description:

The DOI has no policies or guidance specifically addressing foreign government sponsored talent recruitment programs or conflicts of commitment.

Short / Alternative Report Title:

Date Issued:

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of the Interior

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

2022–CGD–023

Component, if applicable:

Departmentwide

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Inspection / Evaluation

Questioned Costs:

Funds for Better Use:

Number of Recommendations:

View Document:

Attachment	Size
Final-Management-AdvisoryResearch-and-Development.pdf	4.17 MB

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation
2022-CGD-023-01	Open	Yes
We recommend that the DOI develop and implement a process through which relevant stakeholders (for example, a working group consisting of the Departmental Ethics Office, the U.S. Geological Survey, etc.) can identify and address potential conflicts of commitment relating to foreign risk pending the National Science and Technology Council issuance of National Security Presidential Memorandum–33 implementation guidance.
2022-CGD-023-02	Open	No
We recommend that the DOI issue interim guidance defining potential conflicts of interest, including financial interests, conflicts of commitment, and outside employment that may affect DOI research.
2022-CGD-023-03	Open	No
We recommend that the DOI issue interim guidance regarding DOI employee participation in foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs.
2022-CGD-023-04	Open	No
We recommend that the DOI issue interim guidance addressing conflicts of commitment with respect to solicitations, notices of funding opportunities, and awards.
2022-CGD-023-05	Open	No
We recommend that the DOI develop a process to identify, review, and remediate foreign influence risk indicators for DOI employees.
2022-CGD-023-06	Open	No
We recommend that the DOI provide training concerning foreign influence to contracting officials, grant officers, and offices involved with scientific integrity, including conflicts of interest as defined in the newly developed interim guidance, the U.S. Constitution’s “Foreign Emoluments Clause” (U.S. Const. art. I, § 9, cl. 8), and foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

2022-CGD-023-01

Open

Yes

We recommend that the DOI develop and implement a process through which relevant stakeholders (for example, a working group consisting of the Departmental Ethics Office, the U.S. Geological Survey, etc.) can identify and address potential conflicts of commitment relating to foreign risk pending the National Science and Technology Council issuance of National Security Presidential Memorandum–33 implementation guidance.

2022-CGD-023-02

Open

We recommend that the DOI issue interim guidance defining potential conflicts of interest, including financial interests, conflicts of commitment, and outside employment that may affect DOI research.

2022-CGD-023-03