Federal Reports

We investigated allegations that two U.S. Park Police officers used excessive force against two members of the news media during the operation to disperse protesters in and around Lafayette Park on June 1, 2020.

For our evaluation of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA’s) plan for the implementation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding through its Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, our objective was to determine whether EDA followed federal and U.S. Department of Commerce (Departmental) guidelines to award and disburse CARES Act funding through the program. Specifically, we focused on (1) how EDA selected applicants to receive CARES Act funds through the RLF program, (2) whether EDA ensured that RLF pre-disbursement requirements were met prior to disbursing CARES Act funds, and (3) how EDA is monitoring CARES Act funds after they have been disbursed to RLF recipients. We found that EDA I. had a process to select applicants and award CARES Act funds on a competitive and noncompetitive basis through the RLF Program; II. generally ensured that RLF pre-disbursement requirements were met before disbursing CARES Act funds; and III. had a process for monitoring the CARES Act funds after the funds were disbursed.

Objective: To determine whether the Social Security Administration (SSA) properly applied res judicata for waiver requests made after a previous request was denied.

This audit report did not identify any findings or instances of non-compliance. Additionally, no potential instances of fraud, waste, and/or abuse.

This audit report shows Kearney noted five findings and 10recommendations.forThree of the five findings resulted in non-compliance with PIIA for three of FCC’s 10 programs,the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline (LL) program, USF Schools and Libraries (S&L)program, and the USF High Cost (HC) Legacy program. Additionally, Kearney identified othermatters related to the PIIA activities that are recommended for improvement.

What We Looked AtThe Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card is the Department’s foundation for securely identifying every individual seeking access to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) secure facilities and information systems. Once contractor employees no longer need that access, DOT officials must promptly collect and deactivate their PIV cards. In fiscal years 2020 and 2021, just over 1,000 DOT service contracts—which may have granted contractor staff access to secure DOT facilities and information systems—came to an end. Given that most of these contracts ended during the COVID-19 pandemic when DOT employees were in a state of maximum telework, there is an elevated risk that prompt and appropriate PIV card collection and deactivation may not have occurred. Accordingly, DOT-OIG initiated this audit to assess DOT’s oversight of contractor employee PIV cards issued in connection with performance of agency contracts. What We FoundDOT’s timely collection and deactivation of contractor employee PIV cards is compromised by fragmented processes and a lack of clear accountability. Counter to Federal and departmental procurement regulations and policies, DOT contracting officials do not always include required PIV card-related security clauses in contracts that grant contractor employees routine physical access to a federally controlled facility or information system. Without these required clauses in its contracts, DOT neglected to establish an important and legally enforceable accountability mechanism to help protect its secure facilities and systems. Further, DOT does not always promptly collect and deactivate contractor employee PIV cards as required, because it has not established clear accountability over this process. As a result, DOT is exposed to heightened security risks, potentially compromising the safety of its staff and achievement of its mission. Our RecommendationsWe made six recommendations to improve DOT’s collection and deactivation of contractor employee PIV cards. DOT concurred with all six recommendations and provided appropriate actions and completion dates. We consider all recommendations resolved but open pending completion of the planned actions.