Federal Reports

Objective: To determine whether the Social Security Administration ensured employees made complete and accurate capability determinations for disabled beneficiaries who previously had representative payees.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) assessed VA’s compliance with mandated reporting of staffing and vacancy data on its public website and its clarity in related explanations. The MISSION Act of 2018 requires VA to publicly release this information each quarter to promote transparency in personnel management. VA must also report yearly on the steps taken to achieve full staffing capacity and improve the onboarding timeline for certain facilities. The MISSION Act further requires the OIG to review VA’s data-reporting website and make recommendations for improvement.The OIG found VA complied with staffing and vacancy reporting requirements by publishing data on onboard personnel, gains and losses, vacancies, and time-to-hire. However, in its 2023 annual report, VA did not address the steps it took to improve the onboarding process at medical facilities that exceeded time-to-hire metrics, as required by the Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020; VA agreed to ensure this is addressed in future reports. Furthermore, the OIG identified opportunities for VA to improve the staffing and vacancy information reported on its public website. The review team found that VA could clarify the reason for reporting vacancies as funded and unfunded, define the scope for data in its annual reports, and ensure that data sources are described consistently across written procedures and published reports.The OIG made one recommendation to the assistant secretary for human resources and administration/operations, security, and preparedness to ensure the annual reports to Congress include the steps VA is taking to improve the onboard timeline for facilities where the duration of the onboarding process exceeds the metrics laid out in the VHA time-to-hire model, or successor model, in accordance with the Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.

DOI made progress in complying with 9 of the 13 responsibilities in the Geospatial Data Act. We found deficiencies impacting 4 responsibilities.

This report presents the results of our verification inspection of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) corrective actions for the four recommendations from the Office of Inspector General audit report SBA’s Microloan Program (Report 17-19).The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Microloan Program provides loans to nonprofit intermediary lenders (microlenders) that subsequently lend funds, in amounts of $50,000 or less, to small businesses and startups. In fiscal year 2023, microlenders approved microloans totaling $86.4 million for over 5,500 small businesses.We initiated this verification inspection to follow up on the four recommendations and determine whether SBA’s corrective actions are still operating as intended. Accordingly, our objective was to determine the effectiveness of SBA’s actions for 1) improving the information system to include outcome-based performance measurements and ensuring the data captured could be used to effectively monitor Microloan Program compliance, performance, and integrity 2) implementing a site visit plan to comprehensively monitor microloan portfolio performance and ensuring program results could be evaluated program-wide 3) updating SOP 52 00A to clarify requirements regarding evidence for use of proceeds and credit elsewhere and 4) updating the microloan reporting system manual to reflect current technology capabilities.We determined that all four recommendations were implemented and still operating as intended. Additionally, to ensure microlenders comply with program requirements, we suggested SBA review microloan files during annual site visits for proper use of proceeds and no credit elsewhere documentation.

The OIG received hotline complaints from five EPA scientists who raised multiple allegations of misconduct, including that the Agency took retaliatory actions from 2019 through 2022 after each scientist expressed differing scientific opinions and after they filed hotline complaints with the EPA OIG. We issued five separate reports of investigation, which individually address the specific retaliation allegations made by each scientist. The investigations determined that three out of the five scientists were retaliated against in violation of the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy after expressing differing scientific opinions. Of these three scientists, we found that one was also retaliated against after engaging in protected activities in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. These investigations underscore the indispensable role of the EPA OIG in protecting scientific integrity and whistleblowers at the EPA.

The OIG received hotline complaints from five EPA scientists who raised multiple allegations of misconduct, including that the Agency took retaliatory actions from 2019 through 2022 after each scientist expressed differing scientific opinions and after they filed hotline complaints with the EPA OIG. We issued five separate reports of investigation, which individually address the specific retaliation allegations made by each scientist. The investigations determined that three out of the five scientists were retaliated against in violation of the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy after expressing differing scientific opinions. Of these three scientists, we found that one was also retaliated against after engaging in protected activities in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. These investigations underscore the indispensable role of the EPA OIG in protecting scientific integrity and whistleblowers at the EPA.

The OIG received hotline complaints from five EPA scientists who raised multiple allegations of misconduct, including that the Agency took retaliatory actions from 2019 through 2022 after each scientist expressed differing scientific opinions and after they filed hotline complaints with the EPA OIG. We issued five separate reports of investigation, which individually address the specific retaliation allegations made by each scientist. The investigations determined that three out of the five scientists were retaliated against in violation of the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy after expressing differing scientific opinions. Of these three scientists, we found that one was also retaliated against after engaging in protected activities in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. These investigations underscore the indispensable role of the EPA OIG in protecting scientific integrity and whistleblowers at the EPA.

The OIG received hotline complaints from five EPA scientists who raised multiple allegations of misconduct, including that the Agency took retaliatory actions from 2019 through 2022 after each scientist expressed differing scientific opinions and after they filed hotline complaints with the EPA OIG. We issued five separate reports of investigation, which individually address the specific retaliation allegations made by each scientist. The investigations determined that three out of the five scientists were retaliated against in violation of the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy after expressing differing scientific opinions. Of these three scientists, we found that one was also retaliated against after engaging in protected activities in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. These investigations underscore the indispensable role of the EPA OIG in protecting scientific integrity and whistleblowers at the EPA.

The OIG received hotline complaints from five EPA scientists who raised multiple allegations of misconduct, including that the Agency took retaliatory actions from 2019 through 2022 after each scientist expressed differing scientific opinions and after they filed hotline complaints with the EPA OIG. We issued five separate reports of investigation, which individually address the specific retaliation allegations made by each scientist. The investigations determined that three out of the five scientists were retaliated against in violation of the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy after expressing differing scientific opinions. Of these three scientists, we found that one was also retaliated against after engaging in protected activities in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. These investigations underscore the indispensable role of the EPA OIG in protecting scientific integrity and whistleblowers at the EPA.

We audited HUD and its grantees’ monitoring of subrecipients and contractors in HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grants Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (ESG-CV) program to assess subrecipient monitoring in the program.  ESG and ESG-CV grantees often rely on subrecipients and contractors to carry out ESG-CV-funded activities on behalf of the grantees, and are required to monitor subrecipients to ensure that the purpose of the grant funds awarded is achieved and funds are spent on only eligible applicants and activities. HUD is responsible for ensuring that grantees are performing this oversight.  In August 2022, OIG found that 87 percent of ESG-CV grantees provided funds to subrecipients, and of that group 84 percent reported the pandemic affected their ability to effectively monitor subrecipients.  The ESG-CV funding represented a 1,379 percent increase to the regular 2020 annual ESG appropriation.  These factors place an increased importance on HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development’s (CPD) monitoring how well its grantees, in turn, monitor subrecipients and contractors.CPD conducts risk-based monitoring of its ESG-CV grantees to ensure that grantee monitoring of subrecipients met 2 CFR part 200 requirements.  Through this monitoring, CPD identified deficiencies in grantees’ subrecipient monitoring and CPD took steps to resolve these findings with the grantees.  In addition, CPD provided training on monitoring requirements and best practices.  CPD’s efforts to ensure that ESG-CV grantees appropriately monitored their subrecipients helped to safeguard the $3.96 billion in ESG-CV funds.  We also independently reviewed nine ESG-CV grantees that relied heavily on subgrantees and received significant pandemic response funding.  We found eight grantees could have improved their subrecipient monitoring, including inadequate or delayed subrecipient monitoring, lack of ESG-CV policies and procedures, and missing required information on agreements.  These three areas were similar to the issues CPD found when monitoring grantees.  CPD and some grantees stated that the pandemic impacted the grantees’ ability to monitor, citing staffing capacity issues due to the increase in CARES Act funding.  In addition, some grantees did not fully understand the ESG-CV subrecipient and contractor monitoring and agreement requirements.  While the issues we found were similar to those identified in CPD’s own monitoring of grantees, they demonstrate the importance of continued monitoring and training by CPD in the area of subrecipient monitoring.  We recommend that the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development take corrective action on subrecipient monitoring and agreement deficiencies cited for the eight ESG-CV grantees and provide additional guidance or technical assistance as needed to ensure that they understand the requirements, and develop and implement additional training and guidance for all ESG grantees.

An audit was conducted of the Denali Commission's charge cards (purchase and travel) to determine the level of risk of improper or fraudulent use of the cards. The risk was determined to be low for the period reviewed.

Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Federal Labor Relations Authority for Fiscal Year 2024

To see our report, click on the link below

We audited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD or Department) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity’s (FHEO) process for conducting civil rights compliance reviews.  FHEO’s operational readiness to carry out robust compliance reviews is critical to HUD’s goals to advance equity and support underserved communities.  Our objective was to survey and assess challenges FHEO faced in conducting compliance reviews. Based on our survey, FHEO is making progress in addressing several challenges in conducting civil rights compliance reviews, including (1) limited staff and resources, (2) the need for trained and experienced staff, (3) a lack of centralized guidance for conducting compliance reviews, (4) a lack of guidance for making strategic target selections, and (5) structural barriers that affect compliance reviews.  With increased resources and capacity, improved guidance, increased authority to determine and interpret civil rights related program requirements within the Department, and a commitment from all program offices, FHEO's compliance review function can be more effective in promoting compliance with civil rights laws.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) conducts individualized assessments of some land port of entry (LPOE) operations to evaluate workforce staffing, technology, and infrastructure improvements. While these assessments may have allowed OFO to optimize some LPOE operations, OFO does not integrate them or the data collected to enable a more comprehensive assessment across all LPOE operations.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reviewed GPO’s compliance with the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Actanti-gag provisions.

Seventeen Amtrak employees based at New York Penn Station or the NW Base in New Jersey, consisting of two Gang Foremen, four linemen, three truck drivers, six 3rd Rail welders, one trackman, and one electronic technician resigned in connection with an OIG investigation of alleged healthcare fraud. Five of those who resigned were among 10 current and former employees charged by indictment June 20, 2024, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud.The resignations occurred between July 15 and September 12, 2024. Our investigation found that the employees participated in an $11 million health care fraud scheme beginning in 2019 and continuing to June 2022 involving health care providers and others who recruited Amtrak employees—primarily from New Jersey and New York—to participate in the scheme. The employees were given cash payments in exchange for allowing the health care providers to use their patient and insurance information to submit fraudulent claims to Amtrak’s health care plan for services that they never provided or that were medically unnecessary.

The Office of Inspector General determined that the Tennessee Valley Authority’s portfolio management process is not operating as intended. Specifically, we found: • Some types of projects did not follow the portfolio management process as required by Tennessee Valley Authority-Standard Programs and Processes 19.003. In addition, TVA does not have a reverse capital flex list, as described in the Portfolio Management Guide. • Economic analyses were not performed for 9 of 17 projects reviewed with a forecasted cost greater than $10 million, although Tennessee Valley Authority’s Portfolio Management Guide states economic analyses are required for all projects equal to or greater than $10 million. • Economic analyses for two Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors approved projects had negative net present values, which indicates the projects might not add value to TVA. These analyses, as well as additional costs for one of the projects, were not provided to the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors.• Two purchase orders were issued prior to spend approval for one project, indicating a control gap.

The OIG examined whether VA’s regional Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) were effectively overseeing the supply chain management conducted by their medical facilities. Supply chain management is critical to preventing waste and ensuring unexpired medical products and equipment are available in good condition for patient care when and where they are needed. An audit team assessed data from 140 annual quality control reviews conducted in FY 2023 by the VISNs, in which medical facilities are evaluated on over 100 questions related to VHA requirements. The OIG team also reviewed the resulting corrective action reports. Cumulatively, the VISN supply chiefs’ assessments found that VHA facilities did not comply with supply chain management policy in about 18.5 percent of required areas. The OIG team conducted site visits to six medical facilities from different VISNs to delve further into their quality control reviews. Three of the facilities did not correct 127 of the 130 outstanding deficiencies for all six visited facilities, and the team discovered over 150 expired items that included catheters, syringes, blood collection tubes, and dental implants. The OIG team also learned of instances of delayed or canceled surgeries because supplies were unavailable. Challenges to medical facilities’ complying with supply management requirements included reports of staffing vacancies, leadership turnover, insufficient VISN support, and inadequate storage space. VISN supply chiefs also did not report all noncompliant practices, and Procurement and Logistics Office monitoring was inadequate to identify unimplemented corrective actions or inaccurate assessments. VA concurred with the OIG’s six recommendations to strengthen VISN oversight of facility supply chain management.

Management Advisory on the FTC’s Non-Federal Sourced Travel

We audited WSFR grants awarded by FWS to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure compliance and cost allowability.

This report summarizes the results of Sikich’s independent evaluation and contains nine new recommendations that will assist the agency in improving the effectiveness of its information security and its privacy programs and practices. NCUA management concurred with and hasidentified corrective actions to address the recommendations.

Cybersecurity remains one of NASA’s top management challenges. While NASA’s information security program maintained a Level 3 rating this year, it still falls short of what the Office of Management and Budget considers effective.

This report presents the results of the System and Organization Controls 1 Type 2 examination conducted in accordance with relevant attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Financial Management Service (FMS) description of its financial systems used to process user entities financial transactions throughout the period October 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The report contains an unmodified opinion on the description and controls that were suitably designed to provide reasonable assurance that the control objectives would be achieved.

The statutes creating the SRFs require states to conduct financial and compliance audits of their SRFs. The EPA's implementing regulations expressly or implicitly require, among other things, that the states send these audits to the OIG and that the OIG review the audits. Until our April 2023 request, the states have not submitted their audits to the OIG so that the OIG can determine whether those audits meet regulatory requirements.

VA is authorized by statute to procure healthcare resources from affiliates on a sole-source basis without regard to laws or regulations that require competition. VA policy requires that contracting officers request an Office of Inspector General (OIG) review or audit for any sole-source healthcare proposal with an anticipated annual value of at least $400,000. The OIG provides information that contracting officers may use as they negotiate fair and reasonable prices. In fiscal year 2023, the OIG completed 15 audits of sole-source healthcare proposals. The combined estimated contract value of these 15 preaward audits was about $125.8 million, and the OIG team identified approximately $37.3 million in potential cost savings. Following the OIG audits, the Veterans Health Administration sustained about $9.2 million in cost savings.Thirteen proposals reviewed had full-time-equivalent pricing. For these 13 proposals, the OIG determined the hourly rate pricing offered to the government was higher than the supported amounts, and the OIG recommended contracting officers obtain lower prices than those offered to the government.Two proposals reviewed had both hourly rate pricing and per-procedure pricing. The OIG found the affiliate offered rates higher than current Medicare rates for per-procedure pricing. In these two audits, the OIG recommended reimbursement rates that were 100 percent of the current Medicare rates for the per-procedure portion of the affiliate’s proposals.Finally, for 10 of the 15 contract proposals examined, the OIG found potential conflicts of interest for VA personnel who may be involved in the acquisition process and who also hold a position with the affiliate. In each instance, the OIG recommended the contracting officer request an opinion from VA’s Office of General Counsel as to whether these individuals would have a financial interest in the proposal.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) OIG reviewed the system of quality control for the audit organization of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) OIG in effect for the year ended March 31, 2024. A system of quality control encompasses the OIG's organizational structure and the policies adopted and procedures established to provide it with reasonable assurance of conforming in all material respects with Government Auditing Standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.The FTC OIG received an external peer review rating of pass. In the opinion of the FEC OIG, the system of quality control for the audit organization of the FTC OIG in effect for the year ended March 31, 2024, was suitably designed and complied with to provide the FTC OIG with reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity with applicable professional standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements in all material respects.

This report presents the results of our performance of the procedures agreed upon by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The report responds to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s requirements to assist the OPM in assessing the reasonableness of employee withholdings and U.S. Postal Service contributions reported in the Report of Withholdings and Contributions for Health Benefits, Life Insurance and Retirement.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this inspection to assess the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System’s stewardship and oversight of funds. This inspection assessed the following financial activities and administrative processes to determine whether appropriate controls and oversight were in place: managerial cost accounting information, open obligations oversight, purchase card use, and supply chain management operations.The OIG found the healthcare system did not consistently use managerial cost accounting information to enhance efficiency, help reduce costs, and make business decisions, and the system’s use did not fully align with federal financial accounting practices.The healthcare system did not fully comply with VA policies on obligations oversight, resulting in an estimated $87,000 that could have been put to better use and about $63,000 from accruals that were not reviewed and canceled in a timely manner. The system could improve management of open obligations by enhancing reviews of inactive obligations and creating an escalation process when services do not provide status of open orders.Concerning purchase card transactions, the OIG estimated the healthcare system may have incurred about $403,000 in questioned costs because of split purchases. The system could improve efficiency by complying with VA policies on split purchases or by considering contracts.Finally, the OIG found the healthcare system’s supply chain management did not ensure days-of-stock-on-hand metrics were met or that supply chain data were accurate. To improve inventory management, the system could strengthen processes and procedures to ensure stock data are recorded correctly and routinely monitored. Facility leaders reported that staffing shortages may have affected local oversight.The OIG made six recommendations to the healthcare system director. The recommendations address issues that, if unattended, may eventually interfere with financial efficiency practices and the stewardship of VA resources.

In line with the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 (referred to in this report as the public law), the OIG conducts reviews to determine whether certain manufacturers (1) made all their covered drugs available at a discount to the government through a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract and (2) correctly calculated and reported the drugs’ non-Federal Average Manufacturer Price (non-FAMP) on which the discount is based. The law helps ensure the government receives fair prices on pharmaceutical purchases. VA identifies covered drugs as those subject to the law that are commercially sold and approved by the Food and Drug Administration under a new drug application or biological licensing agreement. The reviews are not published because they contain sensitive commercial information.To promote transparency, this report summarizes the 15 reviews the OIG completed in FYs 2022 and 2023 to identify any instances of noncompliance with the public law. In conducting the individual reviews, the OIG teams evaluated non-FAMPs and related ceiling prices, late additions (items not placed on FSS contract within 75 days of being on the market), and failures to offer FSS-required price reductions that would have affected ceiling prices.Cumulatively, the OIG identified approximately $61.2 million in overcharges by manufacturers to the government. This amount includes approximately $27 million resulting from manufacturers’ noncompliance with the public law and about $34.1 million resulting from manufacturers’ violations of the price reduction clause in the FSS contract that were unrelated to the public law. VA has since collected approximately $59.3 million (about 97 percent) of the recommended amount from 11 of the 14 manufacturers. VA does not expect to collect overcharges from one manufacturer that filed for bankruptcy, and overcharges with two other manufacturers remained unresolved during the course of this review.

We found OSMRE was not adequately prepared to expend IIJA funds, and it continues to expend funds without effective processes in place.

To obtain further information about this Classified or Sensitive but Unclassified Report, please contact the OIG Office of Counsel atOIGCounsel@oig.treas.gov, (202) 927-0650, or by mail at Office of Treasury Inspector General, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC 20005.

To obtain further information about this Classified or Sensitive but Unclassified Report, please contact the OIG Office of Counsel at OIGCounsel@oig.treas.gov, (202) 927-0650, or by mail at Office of Treasury Inspector General, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC 20005.

An Amtrak mechanical foreman based in Miami, Florida, signed a civil settlement agreement on September 10, 2024, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida. The employee agreed to pay $6,000 in restitution and a penalty of $2,325 related to the fraudulent application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance. Our investigation found that the employee applied for an EIDL Advance for an alleged transportation business. We interviewed the employee and he admitted that his loan application was fraudulent, and the information contained in the application was not accurate. As a result, the employee received an EIDL Advance in the amount of $6,000 to which he was not entitled.

The federal government spends billions of dollars annually on pharmaceutical items through VA’s Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program. The OIG examines and reports on pharmaceutical proposals submitted to the VA National Acquisition Center for FSS contracts that have an anticipated annual value expected to exceed $5 million. The oversight reports help VA contracting officers negotiate fair and reasonable prices for the government but are not published due to sensitive commercial information that is protected from release under federal law.To promote transparency, this review summarizes the 17 nonpublic oversight reports the OIG completed in fiscal year 2023 regarding pharmaceutical FSS proposals. The 17 proposals had a cumulative 10-year estimated contract value of approximately $19.5 billion. Contract negotiations for 16 of the 17 pharmaceutical proposals had been completed as of the date of this report. Collectively, the OIG recommended $120.6 million in contract savings over the life of the contracts.In reviewing each pharmaceutical proposal, the OIG provided an opinion as to whether the proposal and commercial disclosures were accurate, complete, and current; made recommendations for pricing based on the vendor’s commercial selling practices; and evaluated and suggested alternative tracking customers, which are customers that serve as a benchmark for potential price reductions during the life of the contract. If tracking customers receive a price reduction, the government’s price should also be reduced.The OIG’s findings and recommendations in preaward reports issued in FY 2023 helped VA contracting officers reduce the cost of pharmaceutical items. Contracting officers obtained and saved taxpayers approximately $351,669 over the 10-year life of the awarded contracts.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a risk assessment of VA’s three charge card programs, which cover purchase cards for supplies and services; travel cards for official travel expenses; and fleet cards for fuel, maintenance, and repair of government-owned and -operated vehicles. These programs had over $5.6 billion in spending from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. The OIG conducted this risk assessment from August 2023 through January 2024. The team analyzed summary transaction data to assess charge card risk based on categories developed using data mining to identify potentially improper (including illegal and erroneous) charge card purchases. The team also reviewed VA policies, procedures, and other controls applicable to these charge card programs, as well as previously issued OIG reports and recommendations and results from OIG investigations of charge card misuse. Like the fiscal year 2020 assessment, the OIG concluded the Purchase Card Program is at medium risk of illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases. Data analysis, the volume and value of spending, and OIG investigations and reviews identified patterns of purchase card transactions that deviate from the Federal Acquisition Regulation and VA policies and procedures.In contrast, VA’s Travel and Fleet Card Programs have a low risk of illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases based on the data analysis and lack of related additional risk factors. The team reviewed travel card data from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. During the scope of this review, over 21,000 VA travel cardholders initiated about 615,000 transactions totaling approximately $90 million. From July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, VA fleet cards were used for over 165,000 transactions totaling approximately $17.5 million.

System Review Report

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

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) reviewed the system of quality control for the audit organization of the GAO OIG in effect for the year ended March 31, 2024. This report discusses their findings.

We audited WSFR grants awarded by FWS to Idaho’s Department of Fish and Game to ensure compliance and cost allowability.

The U.S. Postal Service’s mission is to provide timely, reliable, secure, and affordable mail and package delivery to more than 160 million residential and business addresses across the country. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviews delivery operations at facilities across the country and provides management with timely feedback in furtherance of this mission.

The U.S. Postal Service needs effective and productive operations to fulfill its mission of providing prompt, reliable, and affordable mail service to the American public. It has a vast transportation network that moves mail and equipment among about 330 processing facilities and 31,100 post offices, stations, and branches. The Postal Service is transforming its processing and logistics networks to become scalable, reliable, visible, efficient, automated, and digitally integrated. This includes modernizing operating plans and aligning the workforce; leveraging emerging technologies to provide world-class visibility and tracking of mail and packages in near real time; and optimizing the surface and air transportation network. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviews the efficiency of mail processing operations at facilities across the country and provides management with timely feedback to further the Postal Service’s mission.

The U.S. Postal Service’s mission is to provide timely, reliable, secure, and affordable mail and package delivery to more than 160 million residential and business addresses across the country. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviews delivery operations at facilities across the country and provides management with timely feedback in furtherance of this mission.

The U.S. Postal Service’s mission is to provide timely, reliable, secure, and affordable mail and package delivery to more than 160 million residential and business addresses across the country. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviews delivery operations at facilities across the country and provides management with timely feedback in furtherance of this mission.

We conducted oversight of Forest Service's (FS) funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Division J for Hazardous Fuels Management activities.

OIG evaluated the internal controls that the Farm Service Agency designed and established to respond to risks it identified related to (1) consistent and accurate reviews of applications for assistance and (2) reducing improper payments of the Inflation Reduction Act Section 22006 Extraordinary Measures Assistance program funds.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) OIG reviewed the system of quality control for the audit organization of the EAC OIG in effect for the year ended March 31, 2024. This report discusses their findings.

The U.S. Postal Service manages over 21 million Post Office (PO) Boxes throughout the country, collecting $1.5 billion in revenue in fiscal year (FY) 2023. As part of its Delivering for America plan, the Postal Service is focused on improving PO Box revenue, mainly through price increases. Vacancy rates continue to grow, however, and changes in customer preferences and operations pose unique challenges going forward.