Federal Reports

The Office of the Inspector General conducted a review of Human Resources (HR) to identify operational and cultural strengths and risks that could impact HR's organizational effectiveness. Our report identified strengths within HR related to (1) organizational alignment, (2) collaboration within the departments, and (3) management support from some HR management. However, we also identified risks related to (1) management responsibilities and behaviors, including (a) performance reviews, (b) opportunities for advancement, (c) training and resources, and (d) relationship issues with three managers; (2) execution of HR strategy and programs; (3) perceptions by some of unethical practices; and (4) inclusion that could negatively affect the ability of HR to contribute to the Chief Human Resources Office's mission and to the success of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The U.S. Postal Service has a substantial network of about 35,000 retail facilities, including post offices, stations, and branches. The Philadelphia Metropolitan District includes over 250 retail units with a combined retail revenue of over $175 million for fiscal year (FY) 2016. Retail and customer service operations are integral parts of the Postal Service’s ability to retain customers and ultimately generate revenue. The Postal Service aims to provide customers with a positive retail experience and efficient customer service operations. Our objective was to assess retail and customer service operations in the Philadelphia Metropolitan District. We selected this district as it was one of the most inefficient districts in the country during 2016 based on retail and customer service operation data.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) oversees implementation of health insurance provisions for the Affordable Care Act and works with States to establish marketplaces, which evaluate individuals' eligibility for qualified health plans (QHPs) and insurance affordability programs (i.e., the premium tax credit and cost-sharing reductions). Our prior reviews of seven State marketplaces found that not all of their internal controls were effective in ensuring that individuals were properly determined eligible for QHPs and insurance affordability programs. These deficiencies led us to review the effectiveness of CMS's oversight of State marketplaces. Our objective was to determine whether CMS provided effective oversight to ensure that State marketplaces determined individuals' eligibility for QHPs and insurance affordability programs according to Federal requirements.

This is our final audit report on the awarding of U.S. Census Bureau (the Bureau) noncompetitive contracts. Our objective was to determine whether the Bureau’s contracting personnel properly awarded noncompetitive contracts.