Federal Reports

This audit report did not identify any findings or instances of non-compliance. Additionally, no potential instances of fraud, waste, and/or abuse.

This audit report shows Kearney noted five findings and 10recommendations.forThree of the five findings resulted in non-compliance with PIIA for three of FCC’s 10 programs,the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline (LL) program, USF Schools and Libraries (S&L)program, and the USF High Cost (HC) Legacy program. Additionally, Kearney identified othermatters related to the PIIA activities that are recommended for improvement.

What We Looked AtThe Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card is the Department’s foundation for securely identifying every individual seeking access to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) secure facilities and information systems. Once contractor employees no longer need that access, DOT officials must promptly collect and deactivate their PIV cards. In fiscal years 2020 and 2021, just over 1,000 DOT service contracts—which may have granted contractor staff access to secure DOT facilities and information systems—came to an end. Given that most of these contracts ended during the COVID-19 pandemic when DOT employees were in a state of maximum telework, there is an elevated risk that prompt and appropriate PIV card collection and deactivation may not have occurred. Accordingly, DOT-OIG initiated this audit to assess DOT’s oversight of contractor employee PIV cards issued in connection with performance of agency contracts. What We FoundDOT’s timely collection and deactivation of contractor employee PIV cards is compromised by fragmented processes and a lack of clear accountability. Counter to Federal and departmental procurement regulations and policies, DOT contracting officials do not always include required PIV card-related security clauses in contracts that grant contractor employees routine physical access to a federally controlled facility or information system. Without these required clauses in its contracts, DOT neglected to establish an important and legally enforceable accountability mechanism to help protect its secure facilities and systems. Further, DOT does not always promptly collect and deactivate contractor employee PIV cards as required, because it has not established clear accountability over this process. As a result, DOT is exposed to heightened security risks, potentially compromising the safety of its staff and achievement of its mission. Our RecommendationsWe made six recommendations to improve DOT’s collection and deactivation of contractor employee PIV cards. DOT concurred with all six recommendations and provided appropriate actions and completion dates. We consider all recommendations resolved but open pending completion of the planned actions.

We audited the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority’s public housing program based on significant deficiencies noted during our prior audit of the Authority. Our audit objective was to determine whether the Authority complied with Federal and its own requirements for procuring goods and services.The Authority did not always comply with Federal and its own procurement requirements. Specifically, for the contracts reviewed, it did not always (1) maintain complete and consistent documentation detailing the significant history of procurements, (2) properly execute contracts for pest control services, (3) maintain sufficient documentation to support the reasonableness of contract costs, and (4) include the minimum and maximum quantity or amount in its indefinite-quantity delivery contracts. Further, the Authority paid more than the contract value for services procured with one contractor. These issues occurred because the Authority lacked adequate oversight, procedures, and controls over its procurements to ensure compliance with Federal and its own requirements. As a result, HUD and the Authority lacked assurance that the Authority used Federal funds to pay for goods and services at reasonable costs.We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Cleveland Office of Public Housing require the Authority to (1) support the reasonableness of the costs paid for its unsupported procurement and contracting activities or repay its Public Housing Operating Fund or Capital Fund program from non-Federal funds for any amount determined not to be reasonable; (2) ensure that its staff is appropriately trained on Federal procurement requirements; and (3) implement adequate procedures and controls, including but not limited to, ensuring that proper documentation is maintained, contracts are procured in accordance with Federal and the Authority’s procurement requirements, procurement staff complies with Federal procurement requirements, and payments are appropriately reconciled. We also recommend that the Director of HUD’s Cleveland Office of Public Housing determine whether the Authority qualifies for an exemption from preaward review.

National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Semiannual Report to the NCUA Board and the Congress highlighting our accomplishments and ongoing work for the 6-month period ending March 31, 2023.

This Office of Inspector General Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program report describes the results of a focused evaluation of the inpatient and outpatient settings of the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System, which includes the Bob Stump VA Medical Center in Prescott and multiple outpatient clinics in Arizona. This evaluation focused on five key operational areas:• Leadership and organizational risks• Quality, safety, and value• Medical staff privileging• Environment of care• Mental health (emergency department and urgent care center suicide prevention initiatives)The OIG issued six recommendations for improvement in two areas:1. Medical staff privileging• Focused and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation processes2. Environment of care• Damaged or compromised sterile supplies• Safe and clean environment and clinical areas in good repair• Notices in areas subject to photography or video recording