Federal Reports

We did not substantiate allegations that a former DOI Secretary violated the Ethics Pledge and Federal conflict of interest rules.

Independent Review of 4003(b) Loan Recipient’s Validation Memo – Eastern Airlines, LLC

As part of our annual audit plan, we audited costs billed to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by Fisher Contracting Company (Fisher) under Contract No. 13155 for coal combustion residual construction services. Our audit objectives were to determine if (1) costs were billed in accordance with the terms of the contract and (2) tasks were issued using the most cost efficient pricing methodology. Our audit scope included about $47.9 million in costs billed to TVA from February 12, 2018, through February 28, 2022. This included approximately $42.5 million for fixed price projects, $5.3 million for cost reimbursable projects, and $89,985 for time and material projects. In summary, we determined:Fisher overbilled TVA $80,324, including (1) $48,183 for overbilled labor costs, (2) $23,383 for duplicate material costs, (3) $7,758 for ineligible equipment costs, and (4) $1,000 for ineligible insurance costs.The use of fixed price payment terms on projects caused TVA to pay at least $4.35 million more than it would have if cost-reimbursable payment terms had been used for those projects. Additionally, if TVA utilized cost-reimbursable pricing for the remaining contract spend, it could potentially avoid $28.7 million in future costs.(Summary Only)

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) Vet Center Inspection Program provides a focused evaluation of aspects of the quality of care delivered at vet centers. This report focuses on Midwest district 3 zone 1 and four selected vet centers: Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo in Ohio; and South Bend in Indiana. The OIG inspection focused on five review areas: leadership and organizational risks; quality reviews; suicide prevention; consultation, supervision, and training; and environment of care.Generally, district leaders had a good understanding of quality improvement principles and implemented district-wide quality improvement programs in response to VA All Employee Survey results. District 3 zone 1 Vet Center Service Customer Feedback survey results were below the national average in all areas except satisfaction with overall quality of services at the vet center. The OIG issued one recommendation to the district director specific to annual in-service training; this recommendation was closed at the time of publication.The OIG conducted an analysis of vet center quality reviews required to ensure compliance with policy and procedures. The OIG made five recommendations for clinical and administrative quality reviews and two recommendations for morbidity and mortality reviews. The suicide prevention review included a zone-wide evaluation of electronic client records, and a focused review of the four selected vet centers. The OIG issued nine recommendations—seven specific to electronic client records and two for selected vet centers’ suicide prevention and intervention processes. The consultation, supervision, and training review evaluated the four selected vet centers. The OIG identified concerns with external clinical consultation, supervision, audits, and training, and issued four recommendations. The environment of care review evaluated the four selected vet centers. The OIG made two recommendations.

Federal and State agencies and tribes share responsibility for addressing orphaned wells with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act authorizes $11.3 billion in appropriations to address abandoned mine lands.