Federal Reports

We issued this to determine whether overpayments were improperly posted under Social Security numbers (SSN) where the Social Security Administration (SSA) suspended or terminated Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits.

We audited Summit Construction and Environmental Services, LLC, because we received an anonymous complaint alleging that Summit Construction (1) did not perform lead-based paint evaluations in a timely manner, (2) did not produce adequate lead-based paint inspection reports in accordance with applicable requirements, and (3) showed favoritism toward certain contractors performing lead-paint inspections. Our objective was to determine whether the allegations in the complaint had merit. We focused the audit on determining whether Summit Construction (1) performed timely lead-based paint evaluations, (2) produced adequate lead-based paint evaluation reports, and (3) properly procured lead-based paint inspection services in accordance with its contract and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements.The allegations in the complaint had no merit. Summit Construction generally performed timely lead-based paint evaluations and produced adequate lead-based paint evaluation reports in accordance with its contract and HUD requirements. Also, Summit Construction was not required to follow Federal procurement requirements when procuring subcontractors for lead-based paint inspection services. This report contains no recommendations.

To see our report, click on the link below

This report presents the results of the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No.18 examination for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National FinanceCenter (NFC) description of its payroll/personnel and application hosting services used toprocess customer agencies’ transactions throughout the period October 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019.

What We Looked AtThe Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act of 2015 (FAST Act) directed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to commission the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to evaluate the methodology and data it uses to identify carriers that are not fit to operate commercial motor vehicles, and develop a corrective action plan in response. The FAST Act also directed our office to assess FMCSA's plan and its responses to our prior recommendations, as well as those from NAS and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Accordingly, our audit objectives were to (1) assess the extent to which FMCSA's corrective action plan addresses the NAS recommendations and relevant OIG and GAO recommendations and (2) identify challenges FMCSA may face when implementing the corrective action plan.What We FoundWhile FMCSA's corrective action plan addresses motor carrier safety interventions, it lacks implementation details for improving transparency and its assessment of carrier safety rankings. For example, in response to recommendations from NAS and GAO, the Agency is testing an Item Response Theory (IRT) statistical model to gauge how it prioritizes motor carrier safety interventions. Regarding the NAS recommendation on collecting more accurate and diverse types of data, FMCSA determined that much of the data either do not exist. As a result, FMCSA no longer plans to collect additional data. Similarly, the plan describes putting datasets on a publicly available website but does not discuss making them user-friendly, or outline costs and implementation steps--hindering FMCSA's efforts to make its data, safety measures, and rankings more transparent. Finally, the complexity of the IRT model may make implementation and public outreach difficult.Our RecommendationsWe made two recommendations to improve the corrective action plan FMCSA developed in response to the NAS study. FMCSA partially concurred with both recommendations. We consider the recommendations resolved but open pending completion of planned actions.

In accordance with our Annual Performance Plan Fiscal Year 2019, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a performance audit of USCP interactions with individuals with disabilities. OIG objectives were to determine whether the Department (1) established policies, procedures, and training designed to prepare sworn employees for interacting with individuals with disabilities during screening and arrest and (2) complied with laws, regulations, and guidance in place for screening and arresting individuals with disabilities. After a July 2019 meeting with stakeholders, OIG refined the objectives to include identifying (1) challenges, if any, officers faced while interacting with individuals with disabilities, and (2) whether the Department leveraged best practices information from knowledgeable sources. Our scope included policies, procedures, practices, and training as of August 2019, and data collected during the three previous fiscal years - FY 2016 through FY 2018.

In accordance with our Annual Performance Plan Fiscal Year 2019. the Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an analysis of the United States Capitol Police (USCP or the Department) wireless network and devices. OIG objectives were to determine if the Department (1) established adequate policies and procedures for the wireless network and devices, (2) established effective controls that would ensure the integrity of the wireless network and devices, and (3) complied with applicable laws, regulations, and guidance. Our scope included controls, processes, and operations from October 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019.