Open Recommendations

(U) Rec 2: The DoD OIG recommended that the e Chief of Naval Operations conduct a review of Navy units responsible for conducting joint logistics over-the-shore missions and determine what recommendations should be made to the Secretary of the Navy on force structure, training, and equipment acquisition and maintenance to meet the Navy's requirement to conduct joint logistics over-the-shore. At a minimum, the Chief of Naval Operations' recommendations should include the development and implementation of an action plan to improve Naval Beach Group 1's readiness to meet established Service manning and equipment readiness standards, as well as any future joint…

(U) Rec 3.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command develop and implement a plan to meet their assigned responsibilities as the Joint Deployment and Distribution Coordinator for the DoD's joint logistics over-the-shore capabilities in accordance with DoD Instruction 5158.06, "Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise Planning and Operations." At a minimum, the plan should include requirements to coordinate with the geographic combatant commanders, Military Services, and Joint Staff to develop, implement, and annually refine both joint and Service-specific mission-essential task lists for the DoD's joint logistics over-the-shore capability.

(U) Rec 3.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command develop and implement a plan to meet their assigned responsibilities as the Joint Deployment and Distribution Coordinator for the DoD's joint logistics over-the-shore capabilities in accordance with DoD Instruction 5158.06, "Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise Planning and Operations." At a minimum, the plan should include requirements to conduct capabilities-based assessments, research, and development for joint logistics over-the-shore equipment and provide recommendations to the Military Services for retention, modification, retirement, or transition of systems to improve interoperability.

(U) Rec 3.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command develop and implement a plan to meet their assigned responsibilities as the Joint Deployment and Distribution Coordinator for the DoD's joint logistics over-the-shore capabilities in accordance with DoD Instruction 5158.06, "Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise Planning and Operations." At a minimum, the plan should include requirements to establish and chair a joint logistics over-the-shore working group that meets annually to identify and address gaps by aligning joint logistics over-the-shore planning, programming, budgeting, and execution functions with projected combatant command operational requirements. Membership in the working…

(U) Rec 3.d: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command develop and implement a plan to meet their assigned responsibilities as the Joint Deployment and Distribution Coordinator for the DoD's joint logistics over-the-shore capabilities in accordance with DoD Instruction 5158.06, "Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise Planning and Operations." At a minimum, the plan should include requirements to provide a report to the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff identifying ongoing challenges or gaps related to joint logistics over-the-shore and recommending policies, procedures, or actions necessary to better align the DoD's…

The Veterans Health Administration chief operating officer establishes a written policy or procedure to reasonably ensure that potential conflicts of interest or appearance of partiality concerns involving VHA employees are identified and remediated before contractor presentations to Veterans Integrated Service Network or facility leaders.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 director confirms that VA has initiated the process to seek recoupment of the critical skill incentive paid by VA to Ms. Skala that was attributable to a service period that she did not complete due to her retirement.

The assistant secretary for Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness directs a review to determine whether any VHA employee ranked GS‑15 or above awarded a critical skill incentive has left VA before completing their required service obligation, and, if so, whether VA has established a debt and initiated recoupment in the amount of the CSI attributable to the uncompleted period, and takes further corrective actions as warranted.

The Veterans Health Administration chief operating officer establishes a written policy or procedure to reasonably ensure that potential conflicts of interest or appearance of partiality concerns involving VHA employees are identified and remediated before contractor presentations to Veterans Integrated Service Network or facility leaders.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 director confirms that VA has initiated the process to seek recoupment of the critical skill incentive paid by VA to Ms. Skala that was attributable to a service period that she did not complete due to her retirement.

The assistant secretary for Human Resources and administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness directs a review to determine whether any VHA employee ranked GS-15 or above awarded a critical skill incentive has left VA before completing their required service obligation, and, if so, whether VA has established a debt and initiated recoupment in the amount of the CSI attributable to the uncompleted period, and takes further corrective actions as warranted.

Improve vulnerability management processes to ensure all vulnerabilities are identified and plans of action and milestones are created for vulnerabilities that cannot be mitigated by VA deadlines.

Implement a more effective baseline configuration process to ensure network devices are running authorized software that is configured to approved baselines and free of vulnerabilities.

Improve vulnerability management processes to ensure all vulnerabilities are identified and plans of action and milestones are created for vulnerabilities that cannot be mitigated by VA deadlines.

Implement a more effective baseline configuration process to ensure network devices are running authorized software that is configured to approved baselines and free of vulnerabilities.

Confirm with the New Hampshire Disability Determination Service that the actions taken to resolve the 2023 findings will address the 2024 findings.

Rec. 1.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Director, Defense Health Agency, reassess and revise the state prevailing rate methodology within
the TRICARE guidance to ensure the development of reasonable state
prevailing rates.

Rec. 1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Director, Defense Health Agency, develop and issue guidance to require Health Care Fraud Resolution, or another appropriate office, to review the developed state prevailing rates for reasonableness and consistency on an annual basis.

Rec. 1.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Director, Defense Health Agency, develop and implement an oversight mechanism to ensure that the TRICARE East and West Region contractors take timely and appropriate action to ensure the reasonableness of the new reimbursement rates in accordance with TRICARE Reimbursement Manual, Chapter 1, Addendum E, "Controls for Excessive Charges For Professional Services, And Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, And Supplies/Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition (DMEPOS/PEN) Services Without Established Rates."

Rec. 1.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) develop and implement procedures to: discontinue the reclassification of trainees enlisted under category IV eligibility for the Future Soldier Preparatory Course.

Rec. 1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) develop and implement procedures to establish In-Service Testing Program standards for all Service members before beginning basic training that are at least as stringent as Enlistment Testing Program standards.

Rec. 1.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) develop and implement procedures to ensure that the Future Soldier Preparatory Course meets all In-Service Testing Requirements.

Rec. 1.d: The DoD OIG recommended that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) develop and implement procedures to ensure that the applicants entering the Academic Skills Development Program meet the requirement that they not require English language training.

Rec. 1.e: The DoD OIG recommended that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) develop and implement procedures to ensure higher level oversight of program standards through designating the responsibility of Academic Skills Development Program information management to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).

USDA OIG has determined that this recommendation contains sensitive information and will not be publicly released due to privacy concerns.