Open Recommendations

In accordance with Public Law 117-2, § 5003(a)(4)(A)(i) take immediate action to review and recover improper payments from the 14 affiliated business groups disclosed by RRF applicants for a total of $55,067,326 in excess funds paid, beyond the $10 million limit per affiliated group.

Review the 16,345 applicants that disclosed having an affiliated business to determine if the amounts collectively awarded to the applicant and affiliates exceeded the $10 million maximum and recover any excess awards.

Embassy Lilongwe should comply with Department guidance for consular cashier operations.

Embassy Lilongwe should bring its nonimmigrant visa application process into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should implement standard operating procedures for management of federal assistance awards to ensure compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should bring its safety, health, and environmental management program into compliance with Department standards.

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

Embassy Lilongwe, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should conduct the required annual review of the Zomba Mountain Cottage to determine whether the property is economical to retain and if continued U.S. government ownership of the property is justified.

Embassy Lilongwe should manage its bulk fuel operation in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should obtain authorization from the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations to use shipping containers for storage or remove them in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should bring its furniture and appliance pool program into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should bring its property management procedures into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should administer its contracts in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should close out procurement files in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should bring its local compensation plan and practices into alignment with Department authorizations.

Embassy Lilongwe should implement a procedure for the post records coordinator to coordinate with the embassy’s sections on implementing records management requirements.

Embassy Lilongwe should complete all information systems security officer responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to resolve the Federal share ($1,497,008) of unallowable questioned costs related to the acquisition of an aircraft.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to implement policies and procedures to ensure the costs of capital assets are properly allocated to WSFR grants based on the proportional benefits the grants receive.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to resolve the Federal share ($33,728) of questioned costs related to unallowable merit-based incentive pay charged to WSFR grants.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to implement policies and procedures to ensure merit-based incentive benefits allocated to a grant code do not exceed the value of the benefits earned on that grant.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to implement policies and procedures to ensure costs of tuition reimbursements receive prior written approval from the FWS.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to resolve the Federal share ($16,021) of questioned costs related to unallowable administrative leave costs.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to require the Department to implement policies and procedures to ensure administrative leave costs are scrutinized for relation to grant purpose.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to resolve the Federal share ($4,043) of unsupported questioned costs related to the payout of employees' annual leave costs charged to the grant.