Where To Report Waste

Fraud, Abuse, Or Retaliation

BLS Could Do More to Identify Data Limitations and Increase Transparency

Submitting OIG:

Department of Labor OIG

Date Issued:

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Labor

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

17-24-001-11-001

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Audit

Special Projects:

Questioned Costs:

$0

Funds for Better Use:

$0

Number of Recommendations:

4

Report updated under NDAA 5274:

No

View Document:

Attachment	Size
17-24-001-11-001.pdf	5.24 MB

Additional Details Link:

https://www.oig.dol.gov/public/reports/oa/2024/17-24-001-11-001.pdf

Related Open Recommendations

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation	Additional Details
1	Open	Yes
We recommend the Acting Commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics perform a nonresponse bias study or imputation assessment to determine if bias exists in the Consumer Price Index and Import and Export Price Index economic information due to the increased use of imputations.
2	Open	Yes
We recommend the Acting Commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on the nonresponse bias study or imputation assessment, establish, as applicable, a threshold at which the Consumer Price Index and Import and Export Price Index must publicly disclose the amount of imputations used. Update program policies and procedures to include the established threshold and document how to publicly disclose when the threshold is met.
3	Open	Yes
We recommend the Acting Commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics determine if the Calendar Year 2021 Import and Export Price Index coverage ratio improved and, if not, determine the appropriate course of action.
4	Open	Yes
We recommend the Acting Commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics update the Import and Export Price Index Handbook of Methods to include the publication criteria that ensure the index is representative of the population as well as what exceptions can be made.