Federal Reports

Except for identified questioned costs, reported DHS Purchase and Travel Card transactions for FY 2017 were appropriate and complied with relevant laws and regulations. The auditor, CohnReznick LLP, identified 17 control deficiencies within DHS Purchase and Travel Card Programs related to maintenance of purchase documentation, application of required procurement policies, price reasonableness determinations, price quotes/competitive bids, required sourcing, tax exemptions, and split purchases. The DHS Travel Card Program deficiencies related to maintenance of travel documentation, allowability of transactions per regulations, credit balance refunds, the prudent traveler standard, and improper use of a travel card. The auditor identified $43,508 in questioned costs for FY 2017 and made 12 recommendations. When implemented, these recommendations should ensure that Purchase and Travel Card transactions are appropriate and comply with relevant laws and regulations. The Office of the Chief Financial Officer concurred with six recommendations and non-concurred with six recommendations.

From fiscal years 2015 through 2018, in the midst of a growing opioid epidemic, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Transportation Security Administration, and U.S. Secret Service appropriately disciplined employees whose drug test results indicated illegal opioid use, based on their employee standards of conduct and tables of offenses and penalties. Additionally, during the same time period, components have either implemented or are taking steps to evaluate whether employees using prescription opioids can effectively conduct their duties. For example, components have established policies prohibiting the use of prescription opioids that may impact an employee’s ability to work, in addition to requiring employees to report such prescription opioid use. They have also implemented or are in the process of implementing measures to evaluate the fitness for duty of employees using prescription opioids. These policies establish consistent standards components can use to ensure they are allowing employees to use legally-prescribed opioids, while also ensuring their workforce is capable of effectively performing their duties. We made two recommendations to improve components’ oversight of illegal and prescription opioid use by employees. CBP and Secret Service concurred with the recommendations, which are both resolved and open.

At CMS's request, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Audit Services, Region VII pension audit team reviews the cost elements related to nonqualified plans and any other pension-related cost elements claimed by Medicare contractors through Final Administrative Cost Proposals (FACPs).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reimburses a portion of its contractors' nonqualified plan (nonqualified) costs.At CMS's request, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Audit Services, Region VII pension audit team reviews the cost elements related to nonqualified plans and any other pension-related cost elements claimed by Medicare contractors through Incurred Cost Proposals (ICPs).

The audit objectives were to determine whether program funds were managed in accordance with the ARC and Federal grant requirements

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