Where To Report Waste

Fraud, Abuse, Or Retaliation

The Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Needs to Improve Internal Controls Over Its Travel Card Program

Submitting OIG:

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Date Issued:

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Health & Human Services

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

A-03-19-00501

Component, if applicable:

Office of the Secretary

Office of the Secretary

Office of the Secretary

Office of the Secretary

Type of Report:

Audit

Questioned Costs:

$0

Funds for Better Use:

$0

Number of Recommendations:

2

Related Open Recommendations

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation	Additional Details
271343	Open	No
We recommend that the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs develop and distribute to staff a quick reference document that includes: o key staff responsibilities for coordinating and vouchering both invitational and staff travel in accordance with the FTR and the HHS Travel Policy Manual and the resources available to staff for ensuring that travel card transactions are compliant with these Federal travel regulations and o a requirement that staff and supervisors read and sign the HHS Traveler Agreement.
271344	Open	No
We recommend that the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs establish an oversight program that includes the following: o approving officials reviewing and signing travel authorizations and vouchers only after verifying that the types of expenses claimed are authorized and allowable, the amounts claimed are accurate, and the required receipts are attached to the voucher, o Program Coordinators verifying that all cardholders take the initial IBA card training course, and o Program Coordinators regularly using the online reporting capabilities provided by the servicing bank to monitor for potential travel card misuse and delinquency trends.