Federal Reports

The Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) requires each agency’s Inspector General to conduct an annual independent evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the information security program (ISP) and practices of its respective agency.  Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) ISP and practices as defined by the FY 2025 IG FISMA Reporting Metrics.  Our audit scope was limited to answering the fiscal year (FY) 2025 IG metrics, which include 20 core and 5 supplemental IG metrics. The FISMA methodology considers metrics at a maturity level 4 (managed and measurable) or higher to be at an effective level of security.

Based on our analysis of the FY 2025 IG metrics and associated maturity models, we determined TVA's ISP and practices were operating in an effective manner as defined by the FY 2025 IG FISMA Reporting Metrics.  However, we identified areas for improvement in both the core and supplemental metrics to further improve TVA’s ISP and practices. 

An Amtrak senior management official based in Washington, D.C., resigned from his position on July 17, 2025, and a senior director in Florida, resigned from his position on August 22, 2025. At the time of their resignations, both employees were under investigation by our office for alleged conflicts of interest with Amtrak vendors that were not disclosed to the company. The former senior management official is not eligible for rehire.

In October 2023, the U.S. Postal Service deployed a major change to operations when it began piloting its Local Transportation Optimization (LTO) initiative. The initiative was designed to reduce the number of transportation trips to and from select post offices and increase the amount of mail transported on each trip. In addition, mail collected at optimized post offices remained there until the next day, delaying its entry into sorting operations. As of January 2025, the Postal Service had implemented LTO across 17 regions, including 56 post offices in the New Orleans region. The Postal Service has since expanded the LTO pilot program to a nationwide initiative, renaming it to Regional Transportation Optimization, and adjusted service standards. Implementing potential cost saving initiatives that result in mail taking longer to reach customers increases the risk that customers find quicker and more reliable alternatives. 

Because this report contains Controlled Unclassified Information, it is not being released to the public.

The Department of Wildlife ensured grant funds and license revenue were used for allowable activities and complied with laws and requirements.  

The Office of Inspector General performed an audit of IRA—Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) to evaluate USDA’s internal controls related to consistent and accurate reviews of applications for assistance and proper disbursements of DFAP.

Note: This report contains sensitive content that is being withheld from public release. Any monetary impact amounts redacted from this report are not reflected in monetary totals.