Federal Reports

HUD’s Office of Single Family Housing did not consistently monitor its Field Service Management (FSM) contractors’ property preservation and protection services.  Specifically, HUD provided inconsistent monitoring for 34 of the 79 statistically sampled records we reviewed, and these involved discrepancies between HUD’s assessment, the support, and the performance work statement.  HUD did not develop and apply a clear and uniform review framework to ensure that its process and procedures provided for effective FSM contract monitoring.  As a result, HUD (1) cannot ensure its REO inventory is being maintained in an adequate condition and (2) is not aware of whether contracting actions are needed to address deficient performance.  

We recommend that HUD (1) develop and implement uniform procedures for the FSM desk monitoring review, including a second level review for the FSM monitoring reviews and process for each inspection type; (2) update the FSM monitoring plan and FSM qualitative monitoring database to (a) clearly define the monitoring questions, (b) include a section for Q7 New Not Ready to Show properties, (c) define which routine inspection reports will be reviewed to conduct the routine inspection monitoring reviews and (d) develop a monitoring question to evaluate photo date stamps; and (3) ensure that program officials periodically provide all FSM CORs and staff involved in the monitoring process uniform property inspection training.

The Railroad Retirement Board Complied with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 for Fiscal Year 2024

OIG reviewed USDA’s compliance with improper payment and high-dollar overpayment requirements for FY 2024.

The Inspector General Act of 1978 requires the Inspector General to prepare semiannual reports summarizing the activities of the Office of Inspector General for the preceding six-month period. The semiannual reports are intended to keep the Secretary and Congress fully informed of significant findings, progress the Agency has made, and recommendations for improvement.

The FCC OIG’s audit concluded that FCC was compliant with respect to 10 Phase 1 programs and one Phase 2 program. However, FCC was non-compliant with PIIA overall because for two of the 13 assessed FCC programs (the USF-LL and the USF-HC Legacy programs), FCC complied with nine of the 10 required PIIA criteria.  The FCC OIG issued three findings and offered eight recommendations to improve FCC’s PIIA reporting.