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Report File
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Department of Homeland Security OIG
Other Participating OIGs
Department of Homeland Security OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Department of Homeland Security
Components
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Report Number
OIG-20-76
Report Description

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mismanaged the distribution of commodities in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico. FEMA lost visibility of about 38 percent of its commodity shipments to Puerto Rico, worth an estimated $257 million. Commodities successfully delivered to Puerto Rico took an average of 69 days to reach their final destinations. Inadequate FEMA contractor oversight contributed to the lost visibility and delayed commodity shipments. FEMA did not use its Global Positioning System transponders to track commodity shipments, allowed the contractor to break inventory seals, and did not ensure documented proof of commodity deliveries. Given lost visibility and delayed shipments, FEMA cannot ensure it provided commodities to Puerto Rico disaster victims as needed to sustain life and alleviate suffering as part of its response and recovery mission. In addition, FEMA’s mismanagement of transportation contracts included multiple contracting violations and policy contraventions that ultimately led to contract overruns of about $179 million and at least $50 million of questioned costs. We made five recommendations that, if implemented, should improve FEMA’s management and oversight of its disaster response activities. FEMA concurred with four of the five recommendations. Recommendations 1 through 4 are considered open and resolved. Recommendation 5 is considered resolved and closed.

Report Type
Audit
Location

PR
United States

Number of Recommendations
5

Open Recommendations

This report has 3 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number Significant Recommendation Recommended Questioned Costs Recommended Funds for Better Use Additional Details
3 No $0 $0

We recommend the FEMA Administrator establish robust transportation, supply chain, and general logistics contingency contracts to provide more timely and effective delivery of disaster support.

4 No $0 $0

We recommend the FEMA Administrator develop internal controls over contract administration from initiation to closeout. These controls should: 1) ensure all contract requirements are met in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and corresponding DHS and FEMA policies and procedures; 2) ensure training needs are met by procurement personnel and appropriate approvals are obtained prior to the award or modification of contracts; and 3) ensure contract oversight officials adequately review invoices, including verifying costs, to theextent possible, based on source documentation to ensure billed costs are supported and allowed.

5 No $0 $0

We recommend the FEMA Administrator Investigate FEMA’s transportation contracts in response to the Puerto Rico disaster for potential Anti-Deficiency Act violations and appropriately report the results of the review.

Department of Homeland Security OIG

United States