Federal Reports

Objective: To determine whether the Social Security Administration properly identified, expedited, and processed disability applications that qualified as a priority case.

ePostage is an electronic postage program that provides small merchants a convenient way to print labels, pay postage, and drop off packages at a post office rather than designated facilities for large customers. The Postal Service collected billions in ePostage revenue in fiscal year 2023, and future program growth aligns with its Delivering for America goals to serve small and medium businesses. Effective ePostage management to verify correct postage and enforce program requirements is critical for the Postal Service to protect revenue and operations and meet its planned goals.

The Office of the Inspector General determined the Cumberland Energy Solution project complied with most elements of scope management and the bid process. However, we identified certain areas under each process that need improvement to help mitigate potential Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) risk. In summary:• TVA’s Cybersecurity, a business unit under TVA’s Technology and Innovation business unit, was not included as a stakeholder throughout the project. • TVA did not adequately mitigate risks related to the use of equipment from nondesignated countries. Specifically,- Cybersecurity concerns related to the use of equipment from a nondesignated country had not been evaluated. - Some procurements were not evaluated for compliance with the Trade Agreements Act.• The Cumberland Energy Solution project risk register could be improved related to (1) project staffing and (2) gas pipeline construction. • TVA’s contract pricing strategies may cause TVA to pay inflated costs.