As part of our annual audit plan, we performed an audit of costs billed to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by USA DeBusk, LLC (DeBusk) for industrial cleaning services provided under Contract Nos. 12042 and 17143. Our audit objective was to determine if the costs were billed in compliance with the terms of the contracts. Our audit scope included approximately $16 million in costs billed between January 1, 2021, and November 30, 2022, including $13.3 million in costs billed under Contract No. 12042 and $2.7 million billed under Contract No. 17143. In summary, we determined DeBusk overbilled TVA $21,157 in travel costs, including (1) $14,033 for ineligible daily commuting costs and (2) $7,124 in unsupported per diem costs. In addition, we identified opportunities to improve contract administration by TVA. Specifically,Pricing schedules for Contract No. 12042 were missing and could not be provided by TVA. As a result, we were unable to determine whether $12.97 million in labor, equipment, and travel costs billed to TVA were in compliance with the contract's pricing schedules or TVA's Project Maintenance and Modification Agreement. TVA could have saved an estimated $12,082 in fuel surcharges by stipulating the use of a fuel adjustment index more closely aligned with TVA's service region. Both contracts contained contradictory compensation terms and may not have conveyed the parties' intent regarding travel and temporary living allowance reimbursements.Invoice packages submitted to TVA for approval did not contain all of the required supporting documentation or match the costs billed through TVA's Maximo system.(Summary Only)
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Tennessee Valley Authority OIG
Other Participating OIGs
Tennessee Valley Authority OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Tennessee Valley Authority
Report Number
2023-17413
Report Description
Report Type
Audit
Agency Wide
Yes
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0