Where To Report Waste

Fraud, Abuse, Or Retaliation

Oversight of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program

Submitting OIG:

Department of Agriculture OIG

Report Description:

We reviewed the process FAS used to award $300 million in ATP funding during FY 2019.

Date Issued:

Monday, August 29, 2022

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Agriculture

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

07601-0001-24

Component, if applicable:

Foreign Agricultural Service

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Audit

Questioned Costs:

$300,000,000

Funds for Better Use:

$0

Number of Recommendations:

4

View Document:

Attachment	Size
07601000124FRredactedpublic.pdf	8.23 MB

Related Open Recommendations

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation	Additional Details
1	Open	Yes	Oversight of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program
Approve and implement a written policy that is designed to ensure FAS complies with Federal grant requirements, as well as published program regulations, when awarding grants. This policy should include, at a minimum, a merit reviewer conflict of interest policy and a policy to document decisions throughout the grant selection process, especially if deviations from the process occur. This policy should also include the assigned roles and responsibilities and the processes and procedures that FAS personnel will use to follow relevant grant and program regulations.
2	Open	Yes	Oversight of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program
Develop and implement a plan to train personnel on how to perform their assigned roles and responsibilities as prescribed in the new grant policy. This plan should also include information and guidance on how and when to elevate issues for resolution at the appropriate level of responsibility.
3	Open	Yes	Oversight of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program
Develop and implement a plan to ensure FAS personnel are held accountable for the roles and responsibilities assigned to them in this new policy related to ensuring compliance with all applicable Federal regulations when awarding grants.