Federal Reports

At the request of the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Supply Chain, we examined the cost proposal submitted by a company for civil projects and coal combustion residual program management work at TVA's steam electric power plants. Our examination objective was to determine if a company's cost proposal was fairly stated for a planned <br> $50 million contract.In our opinion, the company's cost proposal was overstated. Specifically, we found:The company's proposed costs for a Cumberland Fossil Plant project included overstated (1) overhead/general and administrative rates, (2) equipment costs, (3) labor burden rates, and (4) temporary living allowance costs. In addition, the company's Cumberland Fossil Plant proposal included (1) a fee rate that exceeded the maximum allowable fee rate in TVA's request for proposal and (2) understated bond costs.</li> The company's proposed rate attachments included (1) noncraft wage ranges that did not reflect the company's current wage ranges, (2) incorrect and missing labor billing rates, (3) excessive time and material rates, and (4) excessive equipment rental rates.</li>We estimated TVA could avoid $5.57 million on the planned $50 million contract by (1) negotiating appropriate reductions to the company's proposed overhead/general and administrative rates, equipment costs, labor burden rates, and temporary living allowance costs; (2) limiting the company's fee rate to the request for proposal's maximum allowable rate; and (3) negotiating appropriate revisions to the company's bond costs to reflect its actual bond costs. In addition, we suggest TVA negotiate revisions to the company's contract rate attachments to correct errors and more accurately reflect the company's actual wage ranges and costs.(Summary Only)

WakeMed Raleigh Campus (the Hospital), located in Raleigh, NC, complied with Medicare billing requirements for 187 of the 263 inpatient claims that we reviewed. However, the Hospital did not fully comply with Medicare billing requirements for the remaining 76 claims, resulting in net overpayments of approximately $250,000 for the audit period. On the basis of our sample results, we estimated that the Hospital received overpayments of at least $697,000 for the audit period. These errors occurred primarily because the Hospital did not have adequate controls to prevent the incorrect billing of Medicare claims within the selected risk areas that contained errors.

As Millennials come into their economic prime, understanding how they use mail and the ways to best serve their needs is of crucial importance to the Postal Service. The OIG therefore conducted qualitative and quantitative research to provide a more comprehensive view of how Millennials – defined in this paper as adults aged 18 to 34 – engage with the Postal Service.The OIG found that while there are some differences in how much Millennials usage various postal products compared with older generations, their satisfaction with USPS is similar. Our research indicates there are two primary opportunities to appeal to young consumers: enhancing convenience and increasing customization. The OIG also found that Millennials’ living arrangements are an important indicator of their engagement with and perception of the Postal Service. This research could be important for USPS’s product development and outreach strategies with Millennials.

The Office of Inspector General assessed NASA’s progress in maximizing utilization of the ISS to accomplish its human exploration objectives and examined the challenges associated with transitioning the Station to commercial operations and its eventual retirement.

The Tennessee Valley Authority estimates the dispatch costs for coal and gas on a combination of elements including fuel pricing, physical operating characteristics, estimates of variable operating and maintenance costs, and other variables. Since heat rates are one of the primary physical characteristics used in the calculation of dispatch costs, we performed an evaluation to determine if inputs used in the development of heat rate curves were calculated accurately. The scope of our review was limited to the July 2017 heat rate updates for coal and combined cycle (CC) plants.We determined some of the inputs used for the July 2017 heat rate curves were not calculated correctly. Specifically, we determined the hourly heat rates were incorrect for four of the five CC plants. We did not determine the impact of any inaccurate calculations. We were unable to verify the accuracy of the data used to calculate coal hourly reference heat rates due to inconsistencies in system settings or data not being available. However, we did determine the hourly reference heat rates were not calculated for 6 hours at one of the eight coal plants.

OIG is committed to ensuring that beneficiaries receive quality care and to safeguarding the hospice benefit. OIG has produced numerous evaluations and audits of the hospice program, including in-depth looks at specific levels of care and settings. OIG has also conducted criminal and civil investigations of hospice providers, leading to the conviction of individuals, monetary penalties, and civil False Claims Act settlements. Through this extensive work, OIG has identified vulnerabilities in the program. This portfolio highlights key vulnerabilities and presents recommendations for protecting beneficiaries and improving the program.

OIG's audit objective was to determine whether the Census Bureau established and administered blanked purchase agreements in accordance with laws, regulations, and agency guidance.