Inspection of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

Date Issued

Monday, September 23, 2024

Submitting OIG

Department of State OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of State OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of State

Components

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

Report Number

ISP-I-24-16

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

External Link

https://www.stateoig.gov/report/isp-s-24-16a

Open Recommendations

This report has 12 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
2	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs should implement a detailed plan for the coordinated performance of all program evaluation requirements bureau-wide, including systematic briefings to bureau leadership on evaluation results.
3	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Global Talent Management, should assess its outyear requirements for program management staffing and develop a bureau workforce plan that uses available personnel authorities, mechanisms, and funding sources to address ongoing staffing needs and balances the need for consistent staffing with the need for flexibility.
4	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, should develop a legislative strategy to secure funding and authorities that enable the bureau to use Foreign Military Sales fees and foreign assistance program funds for staffing so that it can meet its responsibilities for management and oversight of foreign assistance programs and arms transfers.
6	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs should develop and implement parameters and oversight procedures for Foreign Military Financing administrative funds used by the Department of Defense.
9	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs should bring licensing reviews into compliance with federal standards.
10	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs should implement a centralized contract tracking system in compliance with federal acquisition regulations.
11	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs should bring the contracting officer's representative program into compliance with Department standards.
12	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should bring its contract and contracting officer's representative files into compliance with Department and federal guidance.
13	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should clarify roles and responsibilities for site visits conducted by staff other than designated contracting officer's representatives.
16	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs should ensure oversight practices are consistent with reporting requirements in interagency agreements.
19	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Information Resource Management, should complete the assessment comparing bureau assets and inventory against Bureau of Information Resource Management data and correct any discrepancies.
21	No	$0	$0
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Information Resource Management, should determine a cross-domain solution to allow data transfers between systems.