Federal Reports

We reviewed TVA's process for ensuring it does not knowingly contract with vendors that have been: (1) debarred or suspended by the federal government and/or (2) found unsatisfactory within TVA. In summary, we determined:TVA does not have formal procedures for ensuring TVA does not knowingly contract with vendors that have been debarred or suspended by the federal government. However, Procurement requires its Contract Managers/Procurement Agents to review the Excluded Parties Listing System (EPLS), which is the federal government's database of debarred and suspended vendors, before awarding contracts over $100,000. Although we found TVA had not awarded contracts to vendors that were included on the EPLS during our review period (2005-2008), TVA's process was not always followed and/or documented.The Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) include certain requirements that if implemented by TVA could improve TVA's process and further ensure that TVA does not do business with contractors and subcontractors that are debarred or have committed a civil or criminal offense.TVA does not have a formal process for internally identifying vendors that have been found unsatisfactory within TVA. The lack of such a process could result in TVA not being aware of problems it has had with vendors prior to awarding contracts to them.We recommended TVA Procurement develop written procedures detailing its vendor debarment process. In addition, TVA should improve its process by requiring more verification of the debarment status of contractors and subcontractors as prescribed by the FAR, including certifications and notifications by contractors regarding debarment and/or civil or criminal actions. TVA should also develop a process for (1) identifying TVA vendors that should be on a "watchlist" based on certain serious offenses committed by the vendor and (2) reporting any significant misconduct by contractors to the federal government. Summary Only

EAC OIG, through the independent public accounting firm of Clifton Gunderson LLP, conducted this evaluation to determine whether EAC had implemented effective controls to ensure compliance with internet usage policies.

We found TVA's process for the disposal of surplus computer equipment does not adequately protect TVA resources or track the disposition of surplus equipment. Specifically, (1) the equipment inventory in HP Service Desk was not correctly updated when equipment was removed from service; (2) equipment transferred from Information Services (IS) to Technology Initiative (TI) was not tracked to prevent unnecessary storage, loss, or theft; (3) TI did not maintain an inventory of equipment received for disposal or reconcile equipment received with equipment that was put in surplus by IS, and (4) the disposition records maintained by TI do not account for the disposition of 6,631, or 63.9 percent, of the computers put in surplus by IS.