Federal Reports

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

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

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

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

We determined Procurement has made Purchasing Card Program changes to address control weaknesses identified in our previous report on the program; however, travel and travel-related expenses are still being charged to the purchasing cards. We also noted (1) weaknesses in supervisory review and approval of purchasing card statements, (2) disallowed and questionable purchasing card transactions, (3) purchasing cards issued without required documentation, and (4) TVA policies and on-line training modules that do not clearly and consistently define acceptable purchasing card use for hospitality expenses. Procurement has stated that subsequent to our review period, actions were taken to address weaknesses in supervisory review and approval of purchasing card statements. Procurement agreed with all but three recommendations and we concur with TVA management's planned actions. However, we noted increased risk associated with not addressing the three recommendations.

We determined (1) not all purchasers of hospitality had completed the hospitality training module, (2) some purchases were not charged to the correct cost classification, (3) TVA's Hospitality Policy did not require use of TVA Form 17901, Pre-approval of TVA Hospitality Expenditure, (4) TVA's Hospitality Policy did not address use of a TVA purchasing card for purchasing hospitality, and (5) TVA's pre-approval form did not require assessment of reputation risk. In addition, we found TVA's hospitality spending had decreased by 70% since our 2004 review. Management generally agreed with our findings and is taking appropriate corrective action.

We determined that HED appears to be following the policies and procedures set forth in their tool management policy for the distribution and reclamation of tools at the fossil plant sites. HED procedures and key control activities ensure that HED leased tools are adequately tracked and accounted for. However, the computer inventory tracking system does not accurately reflect HED tools available for lease, and documentation related to the disposal of tools and inventory adjustments could be improved. Management agreed with our findings and has taken or plans to take appropriate corrective actions.

Determined the (1) Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 LLRW estimate appeared reasonable when unforeseen incurred LLRW disposal costs were taken into account and (2) the processes, methodology, and assumptions used to develop the FY 2006 disposal estimates were consistent with those used in developing the FY 2005 estimates. In addition, we verified that the LLRW expense and liability accounts were adjusted quarterly in accordance with TVA Nuclear Business Practice 263. However, we noted (1) the process and methodology for developing LLRW estimates is not documented and there is a potential lack of cross-training and (2) no physical inventory is currently done at the plants to ensure proper accounting for all LLRW. Management agreed with our findings and has taken or plans to take appropriate corrective actions.

We determined that while TVA's June 2002 proposed COOP appears to address major COOP requirements as stated in Federal Preparedness Circular 65 and provides guidance for the preparation of site-, activity-, or business-unit specific plans, TVA's COOP lacks proper implementation and support. Management agreed with our findings and has taken or plans to take appropriate corrective actions.

This report presents the results of our self-initiated review of U.S. Postal Service actions to safeguard employees from Hurricane Katrina. Our objective was to determine whether employees were safeguarded prior to the landfall of Katrina.

We determined that approximately 95 percent of the items selected for review from items in BLN's construction inventory records pertaining to 213 commodities were actually warehoused at BLN. We also noted that the sales price of the inventory will likely be less than the original purchase cost due to the condition of the materials. This report was issued to management for informational purposes only.

We identified no instance where PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not comply in all material respects with Government Auditing Standards in its review of TVA's interim financial information for the first quarter of FY 2006.

As a result of our review of the procedures and key control activities used to track and account for tools at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (Inspection No. 2005-526I), we performed an inspection to asses the processes and key control activities used to track and account for tools at WBN. TVA Nuclear (TVAN) Business Practice 226 (BP-226), Tool and Equipment Accountability, dated August 27, 2000:<br><br>Established and implemented a plant accountability system for tools and equipment. Strengthened and standardized existing tool and equipment accountability practices. Provided for periodic reporting to control and minimize equipment losses. Our inspection found a significant lack of tool accountability/tracking resulting from (1) noncompliance with processes and key control activities prescribed by TVAN BP-226, and (2) other process/control weaknesses. Management agreed with our findings and has initiated corrective actions.

We reviewed and evaluated the control design and documentation for the time reporting process to determine whether key financial reporting risks were addressed in the control framework. In summary, we determined process control documentation was inadequate in the areas of establishing responsibility for accurate time reporting, and monitoring of time reported, which resulted in inconsistencies in time reporting processes used at TVA sites. TVA management agreed with our findings and initiated corrective actions to improve guidance. Summary Only

This report is Limited Official Use. To obtain further information, 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 20220.

This report is Limited Official Use. To obtain further information, 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 20220.

We reviewed $64.5 million of costs billed to TVA by a contractor for subcontracted engineering services performed at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 1. We determined TVA had been over billed $34,958. The overbilling included (1) $20,243 of temporary living allowance (TLA) payments that had not been approved by TVA, (2) $8,019 of relocation payments made to an employee who had already been paid to relocate to BFN by another contractor, (3) $3,623 of travel expenses that were either ineligible, over contractual limits, or should have been included in overhead, and (4) $3,073 of fees that should have been credited back to TVA. The contractor subsequently credited TVA for the $3,073 of fees. TVA management is planning to review the TLA certifications to determine if retroactive approval is justified and to recover any payments associated with unapproved certifications. Management is reviewing the remaining findings to determine the action it plans to take. Summary Only

EAC OIG, through a contract with Department of Interior OIG, audited $8.7 million in funds received by the California Office of the Secretary of State under the Help America Vote Act. The objectives of the audit were to (1) identify those transactions in which funding was used for an unallowable purpose or without required documentation or support; and (2) estimate the total amount of money, if any, that the Office spent on unallowable purposes or that was not supported by required documentation.

This report is Sensitive But Unclassified. To obtain further information, 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 20220.

To assist TVA in preparing for compliance in fiscal year 2007 with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX 404), we reviewed the documentation and design of certain financial reporting controls determined by the Controller's organization to be in scope for SOX 404 compliance and reporting. In summary, we reviewed 15 processes and made recommendations to management for improvements and obtained information about management's remedial actions planned or taken. Summary Only

We reviewed $5.1 million of cost billed to TVA by a contractor for subcontracted welding services performed at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 1. We determined TVA had been billed $295,067 for (1) per diem payments that exceeded contract per diem limits; (2) ineligible and unsupported per diem, relocation, and equipment costs; and (3) ineligible fees. TVA management informed us they agreed with our audit findings and plan to take action to recover the overbilled amounts from the contractor. Summary Only

We completed agreed-upon procedures and issued a report to the U.S. Treasury Financial Management Service and Government Accountability Office to assist in the preparation and audit of the fiscal year 2006 U.S. government-wide consolidated financial report. Summary Only

Each quarter federal agencies, including TVA, submit intragovernmental balances by federal trading partner (TP) to the U.S. Treasury (UST) to assist in preparing the annual governmentwide consolidated financial report. To facilitate TVA's reconciliation with its TPs at yearend, we reviewed the FY 2005 3rd quarter intragovernmental information reported to UST. In summary, we found (1) Intragovernmental balance information as reported generally agreed with the third-quarter financial statements, (2) some inaccuracies in the data submitted in the U.S. Treasury Intragovernmental Reporting and Analysis System, indicated the need for better controls to ensure data reported is accurate and representative of balances in TVA's financial statements, and (3) the Controller organization made reasonable efforts to explain and resolve any material differences in the balances reported by TVA and those reported by its federal trading partners.

We performed an inspection to determine why Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has incurred significant coal adjustments stemming from TVA's receipt of coal through Calvert City Terminal (CC). TVA has contracted with CC through 2008 for transloading, stockpiling, and blending coal. We determined that the inventory adjustments on coal received through CC may be a result of several issues, including (1) differences in CC and TVA Fuel Management System recorded weights, (2) CC's rail unloader scale and barge unloader scale not being certified, (3) missing rail cars included in inventory as received because they were still listed on the manifest, and (4) stockpiles continuing to have coal removed and added after lines are drawn for inventory flyovers.However, we also noted CC is now requiring scale certification, and the results of the coal inventory flyovers were within the acceptable margin of error. Accordingly, the report was issued to management for informational purposes, and management has requested a follow-up review one year after scale certification has occurred. Summary Only

TVA contracted with the independent certified public accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to audit the balance sheets as of September 30, 2005 and 2004, and the related statements of income, changes in proprietary capital, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2005. The contract required the audit be done in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Our review disclosed no instances where PricewaterhouseCoopers did not comply, in all material respects, with generally accepted government auditing standards.

This report is Sensitive But Unclassified. To obtain further information, 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 20220.

Financial Statement Audit for Fiscal Year 2005

We audited $18.4 million of payments TVA made to a contractor for chemicals and water treatment services during Fiscal Year 2004 and found 23 percent of the payments were authorized by technical contract managers who did not have adequate controls in place to ensure the products or services had been received. Additionally, we found the prices billed by the contractor were in compliance with the contract except for (1) $6,266 of overbillings, and (2) an estimated $322,579 of payments for products with unsupported prices. TVA management plans to (1) implement more effective controls over receipt, (2) recover the $6,266 overbilling, and (3) obtain appropriate documentation for the unsupported prices or recover billings that lack supporting documentation. Summary Only

We reviewed adjustments to provisional billings of indirect costs submitted by a contractor. We determined the contractor's adjustments for calendar years 2002 through 2004 were overstated $80,615 due to errors in the contractor's reconciliation of previously billed costs. Also, we found the contractor owed TVA additional credits totaling $28,829. The contractor agreed with our findings and submitted adjusted invoices that included credit for the questioned amounts. Summary Only

As part of our annual audit plan, we audited the asset retirement obligation (ARO) controls relied on by management to ensure the ARO balances in the TVA's financial statements are accurate and complete. Controls over the balance in this and other related ARO accounts included quarterly reconciliations of the general ledger balances and underlying support for the cost estimates maintained in a worksheet format for each plant. We tested the reconciliations and determined the controls over the ARO process were operating effectively to ensure balances were accurately stated, in all material respects, in TVA's June 30, 2005, financial statements.

Semiannual Report to Congress

Winning Performance is the process TVA uses to manage its performance. It is a single, integrated process that includes strategic planning, operational planning and budgeting, performance monitoring and reporting, and employee development and compensation. We performed procedures agreed-upon by management to assist in determining the validity of the fiscal year 2005 payout. In summary we found (1) changes to the FY 2005 goals were properly approved with one exception which will not impact the payouts, (2) actual year-to-date inputs for each indicator agreed with the respective reason for improvement sheet with one exception which will not impact the payouts, (3) actual inputs for the eight TVA-wide metrics agreed with the underlying support provided by the Strategic Business Units, and (4) the payout percentages were mathematically accurate after noted exceptions were corrected. Summary Only

The enclosed report presents the results of the audit of the Commission’s financial statements for the fiscal year

The Office of the Inspector General was requested by the Vice President, BFN Unit 1 Restart, to review tool management associated with the restart project. TVA is providing all necessary tools for the BFN Unit 1 Restart. Work is primarily being completed by engineering and modification contractors, 1,500 of which are craft laborers who have tool needs/requirements. We assessed the processes and key control activities used to track and account for tools purchased for the BFN Unit 1 Restart and on-going BFN operations. We found a significant lack of tool accountability/tracking resulting from (1) noncompliance with TVA Nuclear Business Practice 226, Tool and Equipment Accountability, prescribed processes and key control activities and (2) other process/control weaknesses. Management agreed with our findings and plans to initiate corrective actions.

We reviewed a contractor's material cost adjustments and profit sharing calculations and determined the contractor (1) had understated the material cost adjustment due TVA by $5,933 and (2) could not provide verifiable documentation of the material weights used in its catalyst production. TVA management agreed with our findings and is taking action to recover the amount owed to TVA. Additionally, since the contractor could not provide verifiable documentation of its material weights, TVA is negotiating a contract change to limit future cost adjustments to the contractor's preferred customer price. Summary Only

Visitors to the Inspector General's office here at TVA must walk past a large picture of the Fontana Hydro Plant. The inscription at Fontana, etched 63 years ago, reads, “1942 - Built for the people of the United States of America.” This simple phrase epitomizes the vision that gave birth to TVA. TVA was not to be merely another well-intentioned government program. The focus was not bricks and mortar. The focus was the American people. Whether it was power production, navigation, flood control, malaria prevention, reforestation, or erosion control, this New Deal innovation was about making life better in the Tennessee Valley.Today, TVA has many stakeholders, but ultimately it belongs to the people. The return on the investment made by the American people in TVA continues to yield readily observable benefits. The present day stewards of TVA are entrusted with continuing the legacy of public benefit and accountability. The OIG is one of those stewards responsible for identifying fraud, waste, and abuse, and promoting economy and efficiency through our audits, inspections, and investigations. Our work adds an additional level of transparency to TVA. The ultimate result is a more efficient, productive, and accountable organization.With issuance of this semiannual report to Congress, we are for the first time also publishing some audit and inspection reports on our website. My belief is that making these audits and inspections available is consistent with TVA’s obligation to be accountable to the public. In the future, we will post selected audit and inspection reports on our website as they are completed rather than releasing them with the semiannual report. Many of my Inspector General (IG) colleagues who are members of the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE) follow this practice as well. There are, of course, audit and inspection reports that cannot be released; for example, those containing security information or those which if released would put TVA and/or a contractor at a competitive disadvantage.Finally, I am pleased the PCIE selected an OIG review team for an Award of Excellence in recognition of the team’s efforts to help TVA prepare for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Congress enacted the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to bring more transparency to corporate financial reporting. The TVA Board and TVA management continue to demonstrate a commitment to making necessary improvements to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. To assist in this effort by helping management evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of financial reporting controls, the TVA OIG is performing process control reviews of most major processes across TVA. The PCIE Award of Excellence recognizes the significance of this undertaking as being an achievement at the forefront of the IG community.

This Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the activities of our office for the 6-month period

We compared invoiced vendor/terminal weights to TVA delivered weights for both WCF rail and barge coal deliveries. We found (1) significant variances between vendor/terminal invoiced weights and TVA delivered weights, (2) weights were not recorded for many coal shipments, and (3) delivery weight documentation requirements or retention policy did not exist. Management agreed with our findings and plans to initiate corrective actions. OIG Investigations is reviewing selected trend variances to determine if any warrant further inquiry. Summary Only

We reviewed controls pertaining to program and data backup storage and retrieval for TVA's data centers and the physical controls of an offsite storage facility to determine if controls surrounding the backup storage and retrieval process were adequate to ensure ongoing system operations, and if physical and environmental controls were sufficient to protect the off-site facilities from unauthorized access and environmental hazards. We determined that both the (1) storage and retrieval process controls and (2) environmental controls need improvement. Management agreed with our findings and plans to initiate corrective action. Summary Only

We reviewed $615.5 million TVA paid a contractor from 1999 through 2004 for providing modification and supplemental maintenance services for TVA's fossil plants. We questioned $833,655, including (1) payroll taxes and G&A costs where recovery rates for these costs had been applied to non-salary costs, (2) additional G&A costs where craft employees had been classified as nonmanual craft supervisors, and (3) temporary living allowance payments for employees who may not have been eligible to receive the payments because they did not have adequate certifications and documentary evidence of permanent residences. TVA is (1) planning to recover any overbilled costs and (2) assessing our finding regarding the contractor's classification of craft employees as nonmanual craft supervisors. Summary Only

We reviewed the physical and environmental controls at two of TVA's data centers to determine the adequacy of (1) physical controls to ensure only authorized access to system resources and (2) environmental controls to appropriately protect computing assets from hazards. We determined both data centers' physical access controls and one data center's environmental controls need improvement. TVA management agreed with the findings and initiated or plans to initiate corrective actions needed to implement our recommendations. Summary Only

We reviewed TVA's progress in complying with federal security requirements. We found that TVA's security program structure is adequate to meet federal requirements, and TVA is making substantial progress in correcting significant security deficiencies. Summary Only

We determined TVA was overbilled $56,023 (out of $5.3 million that had been billed) for services performed at BFN Unit 1 by a subcontractor. The overbilling occurred because the subcontractor used a craft labor classification that was not provided for by its subcontract. We also determined the subcontractor had not adjusted its workers compensation insurance costs to actual for the premium years ended July 1, 2003, and July 1, 2004, although its subcontract agreement required it. TVA is assessing our recommendations. Summary Only