Federal Reports

DHS’ information security program was effective for fiscal year 2018 because the Department earned the targeted maturity rating, “Managed and Measurable” (Level 4) in four of five functions, as compared to last year’s lower overall rating, “Consistently Implemented” (Level 3). We attributed DHS’ progress to improvements in information security risk, configuration management practices, continuous monitoring, and more effective security training. By addressing the remaining deficiencies, DHS can further improve its security program ensuring its systems adequately protect the critical and sensitive data they store and process.

Our objective was to determine whether the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, New York Division, implemented effective controls for accountable property, case management, and training. Based on risk analysis of closed case count and workhours, number of hotline referrals, and National Compliance Review occurrence, we selected the New York Division for our review.

Each year over 301,000 Postal Service employees participate in the Uniform Program. As part of the program, eligible employees, such as letter carriers, window clerks, and postal police officers, are issued a Uniform Allowance Purchase Card (UAPC) to purchase approved uniform items from licensed vendors. In calendar years (CY) 2016 to 2018, there were an average of 196 licensed vendors as part of the program. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of management controls over the Postal Service’s Uniform Program. Our scope included UAPC transactions for CY 2016 through 2018, which included 1.1 million transactions and $235.7 million in purchases.

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) FinancialManagement Services (FMS) description of its financial systems used to process user entitiesfinancial transactions throughout the period October 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

What We Looked AtWe reviewed the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's single audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, in order to identify findings that affect directly awarded Department of Transportation programs. An independent auditor prepared the single audit report, dated December 19, 2018.What We FoundWe found that the report contained a subrecipient monitoring finding that needs prompt action from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) management.RecommendationsWe recommend that FTA ensures that the Authority complies with the subrecipient monitoring requirements.

What We Looked AtWe reviewed the Terre Haute Regional Airport Authority's single audit report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, in order to identify findings that affect directly awarded Department of Transportation programs. An independent auditor prepared the single audit report, dated March 8, 2019.What We FoundWe found that the report contained a special tests and provisions finding, and an allowable costs/cost principles and reporting finding that need prompt action from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) management.RecommendationsWe recommend that FAA ensures that the Authority complies with the special tests and provisions and allowable costs/cost principles and reporting requirements.

OIG data analytics identified the Newport, KY, Post Office with the highest amount recorded to Account Identifier Code (AIC) 553, Refund Postage and Fees, during fiscal year (FY) 2019, Quarter (Q) 3 in the Ohio Valley District (57 percent of district total of $70,023). During this period, this unit reported a total of $39,581, which is a significant increase from FY 2019 Q1 total of $167 and Q2 total of $12.2 In addition, the refunds in AIC 553 for the same period in FY 2018 was $94. The objective of this audit was to determine whether postage and fee refunds were valid, properly supported, and processed at the Newport Post Office.