Federal Reports

For our audit of the U.S. Department of Commerce's (the Department’s) collection, production, acquisition, maintenance, distribution, use, and preservation of geospatial data, our objective was to assess the Department’s progress toward compliance with the 13 covered agency responsibilities under section 759(a) of the Geospatial Data Act (Pub. L. No. 115-254, H.R. 302).We found the following: I. The Department should ensure its new geospatial data strategic plan aligns with the mission and design controls for adequate implementation. II. The Department should develop procedures to ensure compliance with its Policy on Planned Geospatial Acquisitions. III. Data harvesting issues are causing inconsistencies in Department metadata. IV. The U.S. Census Bureau should document compliance with metadata standards as part of its system of internal control for geospatial data.

In FY 2019, CIGIE continued to meet its mandated missions, and through this report, we present CIGIE’s accomplishments in FY 2019 reflecting our efforts in meeting our mandate. Together, the work of the OIG community resulted in significant improvements to the economy and efficiency of programs government-wide, with potential savings totaling approximately $40.8 billion. With the OIG community’s aggregate FY 2019 budget of approximately $2.5 billion, these potential savings represent an approximate $16 return on every dollar invested in the OIGs. In Background, we summarize the Council’s history and the Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016, the most recent enhancement to the Inspector General Act of 1978. We also highlight some of the accomplishments of CIGIE’s standing committees in FY 2019. Then, in Strategic Plan Business Goal Accomplishments, we describe CIGIE’s accomplishments under FY 2019’s four major strategic business goals. Next, we summarize current issues of concern to CIGIE members in Key Legislation Affecting the IG Community and Shared Management and Performance Challenges. We then offer perspective on IG Community Accomplishments and provide Contact Information for CIGIE Members. Finally, we recognize the recipients of the most noteworthy 2019 Annual CIGIE Awards.

As required by the Inspector General Act of 1978 (as amended), this Semiannual Report summarizes the activities of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General for the preceding 6-month period.