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Report File
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Department of Commerce OIG
Other Participating OIGs
Department of Commerce OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Department of Commerce
Components
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Report Number
OIG-24-018-I
Report Description

We contracted with the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), an independent firm, to perform this evaluation. Our office oversaw the evaluation’s progress to ensure that IDA performed it in accordance with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency’s Quality Standards for Inspection and Evaluation (December 2020) and contract terms. However, IDA is solely responsible for the attached report and the conclusions expressed in it. The evaluation objective was to determine whether NOAA Fisheries grantees and subrecipients accounted for and expended pandemic relief funds provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and subsequent funding authorizations in accordance with federal laws and regulations. IDA found that (1) a dashboard helped NOAA monitor execution progress of most funding; however, NOAA had little to no oversight of CAA funding for the Tribes; (2) some states and territories employed more rigorous processes and internal controls to identify potential incorrect payments; and (3) some states, Tribes, and territories were slower to distribute funds and less effective at targeting fishery participants with greater than 35 percent loss.

Report Type
Inspection / Evaluation
Agency Wide
Yes
Number of Recommendations
3
Questioned Costs
$25,014,000
Funds for Better Use
$19,000,000

Open Recommendations

This report has 3 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number Significant Recommendation Recommended Questioned Costs Recommended Funds for Better Use Additional Details
1 Yes $0 $0

1. We recommend the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator continue to use, update, and monitor the dashboard.

2 Yes $25,014,000 $0

2. We recommend the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator determine roles and responsibilities for oversight between NOAA and BIA. NOAA should ensure biannual progress reports for CAA funding for Tribes are collected and reviewed for compliance and take corrective action as necessary, including expediting funding that has not yet been distributed.

3 Yes $0 $19,000,000

3. We recommend the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator increase attention and oversight for states, Tribes, and territories that have not completed CAA disbursements.

Department of Commerce OIG

United States