Federal Reports

The objective of our audit was to determine whether USPTO’s processes and activities for acquisition planning are effective and consistent with established practices, procedures, and regulations. Overall, we found that USPTO’s processes and activities for acquisition planning were ineffective and not consistent with established regulations, policies, and procedures. Specifically, we found the following:I. USPTO’s policies and procedures did not provide sufficient guidance on the use of its Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Guidelines acquisition procedures. II. USPTO did not retain key documents, and documents developed during acquisition planning were insufficient and not supported. III. USPTO did not adhere to federal regulations relating to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Business Development program (the 8(a) Program).

We contracted with Ernst & Young LLP (EY), an independent certified public accounting firm, to perform the audit. This management letter summarizes EY’s findings and recommendations related to PBGC’s internal control deficiencies and other matters. The issues noted in this report are not significant; and, therefore, the deficiencies were not required to be reported in the Independent Auditor’s Report (AUD-2024-02) issued on November 15, 2023. In FY 2023 EY had issued four new recommendations and closed 14 prior years' recommendations with the total of six open recommendation remaining at the end of FY 2023. EY will continue working with PBGC to resolve these recommendations.

Our objective was to review and report information about USDA’s use of social media for transparency and disclosure.

In accordance with our Annual Performance Plan Fiscal Year 2023, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a review of United States Capitol Police (USCP or Department) Insider Threat Capabilities. Our objectives were to (1) assess the Department's Insider Threat capabilities and (2) compare those practices to those of partner agencies. Our scope included operations, existing policies, and procedures related to the Department's Insider Threat capabilities.

Fiscal Year 2023 Independent Evaluation of the SEC’s Implementation of the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014, Report No. 580