Open Recommendations

Determine whether the expenditure of $486,000 of questioned costs spent on 3,000 useable square feet on the fitness center are supported and allowable.

Conduct a survey of the fitness needs of CPSC employees.

Use the results of the survey to develop an appropriate fitness program that meets the agency’s mission requirements at an economical cost to the government.

Evaluate alternative usage, including relinquishment, of the fitness center space.

Evaluate the appropriate funding source(s) to promote employee commitment to regular participation in a physical fitness program.

Based on results of the evaluations performed in conjunction with recommendation numbers 40 and 41, take action to adopt strategies that promote the efficient delivery of a fitness program for agency employees at an economical cost to the government.

Evaluate the agency’s conference rooms for each space’s respective best and highest use.

Based on the results of the evaluation performed for recommendation number 43, take action to utilize each space in their respective best and highest use in a cost-effective manner.

Collect data showing where National Product Testing and Evaluation Center staff spend their time, lab versus office space, and analyze how space is actually used to determine if the current space allocation best meets CPSC needs.

Based on reported results in recommendation number 45, adopt strategies to promote the efficient utilization of space at National Product Testing and Evaluation Center at an economical cost to the government.

The Commissioner, TE/GE Division, should share this report and recommendation with the Department of the Treasury Office of Tax Policy to consider a legislative proposal to amend I.R.C. § 501 and any other required provisions of law to clearly and specifically define community benefit, including the level of services and activities that are sufficient to meet the community benefit standard in the current industry.

The Commissioner, TE/GE Division, should update processes to ensure the proper identification and review of all tax-exempt hospitals subject to a CBAR.

The Commissioner, TE/GE Division, should share this report and recommendation with the Department of the Treasury Office of Tax Policy to consider a legislative proposal to amend I.R.C. § 501 and any other required provisions of law to establish baseline criteria for tax-exempt hospital FAP eligibility.

The Commissioner, TE/GE Division, should update guidance to include reasons for excluding dual status governmental unit and certain church-affiliated hospitals from the CBARs because they are statutorily mandated.

Embassy Harare should monitor and document public diplomacy grants in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Harare should bring its Consular Section records management program into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Harare should implement a written fraud prevention strategy and accompanying standard operating procedures in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Harare should implement a process to coordinate its foreign assistance programming in accordance with Department guidelines.

Embassy Harare should update standard operating procedures to assist staff in managing federal assistance awards in accordance with Department guidelines.

Embassy Harare should manage federal assistance awards in accordance with Department guidelines.

Embassy Harare should bring its payroll for locally employed staff into compliance with Department standards and coordinate with the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services to determine whether alternatives to cash payroll exist so funds used to pay for cash replenishment fees could be put to better use.

Embassy Harare should bring its fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Harare should establish and implement a standard operating procedure for tracking and processing employee accounts receivables in accordance with Department requirements.

Embassy Harare should bring its cashiering operations into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Harare should clear outstanding travel advances in accordance with Department standards and put overdue travel advance funds of up to $22,712 to better use.