The Strategic National Stockpile Was Not Positioned To Respond Effectively to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Date Issued

Monday, October 16, 2023

Submitting OIG

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Health & Human Services

Components

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response

Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response

Report Number

A-04-20-02028

Report Type

Audit

Special Projects

Pandemic

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 6 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
24-A-04-003.01	No	$0	$0
We recommend that ASPR mitigate the risk presented by relying on foreign supply chains and JIT inventory strategies when determining annual Stockpile purchases.
24-A-04-003.02	No	$0	$0
We recommend that ASPR develop a strategic plan for the Stockpile, that clearly defines the goals and objectives of the Stockpile, and the Stockpile's roles and responsibilities for responding to emergency events, including pandemics.
24-A-04-003.03	No	$0	$0
We recommend that ASPR work to increase the Stockpile's annual funding to keep pace with the Stockpile's increased responsibilities.
24-A-04-003.04	No	$0	$0
We recommend that ASPR reinstate the annual planning and review process and issue to Congress an updated PHEMCE SIP, PHEMCE Multiyear Budget, and Stockpile Annual Review Report.
24-A-04-003.05	No	$0	$0
We recommend that ASPR develop a plan and timeline for fully integrating the Stockpile within ASPR.
24-A-04-003.06	No	$0	$0
We recommend that ASPR develop a response plan, to include communication plans, for situations in which the Stockpile needs to respond to changes in roles and responsibilities during large-scale emergency responses.