Open Recommendations

Implement internal controls to oversee the reporting and data validation process.

Create a standard operating procedure to collect and handle data and define roles and responsibilities for enhanced operational efficiency

Develop a unified information system for use by the Commission, CNAs, and NPAs participating in the Program.

We recommend that USAID/Kenya and East Africa determine the allowability of $138,322 in ineligible questioned costs on pages 16, 17, 23, and 24 of the audit report and recover any amount that is unallowable.

We recommend that USAID/Kenya and East Africa verify that Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital corrects the two instances of material noncompliance detailed on pages 35 to 36 of the audit report.

Work with the National Targeting Center to establish other means to manage risks, if any, posed by visa holders who received interview waivers from the Dos.

Develop and implement a comprehensive plan to perform trend analyses and analyze risks posed by individuals whose consular interviews were waived by the Dos with data captured at mitigation plans., and using the results, develop and implement mitigation plans.

NRCS needs to prioritize the correction of outstanding inaccurate IIJA WFPO reporting on USAspending.gov and ensure existing award data are accurately reported to the public in accordance with OMB and DATA Act requirements.

NRCS needs to design and implement internal control activities over information processing to address inaccurate reporting identified in Recommendation 1 to ensure compliance with OMB and DATA Act requirements and the accuracy of future reporting of IIJA WFPO data on USAspending.gov.

NRCS should ensure it documents its merit review and selection process for competitive awards and adequately documents the methodology used to select the best projects for funding.

The Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer should evaluate the use and adaptability of the GCM to identify locations that would benefit from the expansion of services to underserved taxpayers.

The Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer should conduct an analysis to determine if it would be beneficial to increase opportunities of shared space with the SSA or other Federal or State agencies, i.e., U.S. Post Office, State Department of Motor Vehicle, specifically in locations where face-to-face taxpayer services are not currently being offered and the nearest location is over 100 miles away.

We recommend that USAID/Southern Africa verify that Centre for Community Impact corrects the two instances of material noncompliance detailed on pages 31 and 32 of the audit report.

The Under Secretary for Health conducts a review of the Veterans Integrated Service Network leaders awareness and oversight of the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care Systems operations including clinical staffing, hiring and retention of qualified candidates, and leaders adherence to high reliability organizational principles.

The Under Secretary for Health utilizes the above review to standardize Veterans Integrated Service Network leaders roles and responsibilities across the system to ensure each Veterans Integrated Service Network practices structured and robust oversight activities in support of high-quality healthcare delivery at each healthcare facility.

The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the circumstances that led to Veterans Integrated Service Network leaders lack of awareness of the 11-month curtailment of cardiothoracic surgeries and takes action as needed to ensure effective Veterans Integrated Service Network oversight of facility clinical operations.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director ensures facility leaders implement high reliability organization principles to plan for clinical operation changes that include stakeholders, service and section leaders, and staff input.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director ensures that the educational needs of the facilitys residents are evaluated and maintained during service and program changes, including on-site supervision, as required by Veterans Health Administration directive.

(U) Rec. 1.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Office of Defense Cooperation-Ukraine Chief, in coordination with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, update the 2023 Concept of Operation to make it clear that the requirements in the 2023 Concept of Operation have priority over the defense article control plan requirements for enhanced end?use monitoring initial loss notifications and final loss reports for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including clearly defined report timelines, contents, and procedures.

(U) Rec. 1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Office of Defense Cooperation-Ukraine Chief, in coordination with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, develop and publish procedures for faster retrieval of critical information from final loss report investigations.

(U) Rec. 2.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. European Command, in coordination with the Office of Defense Cooperation-Ukraine Chief, coordinate with the Ukrainian Armed Forces to revise the November 2023 Concept of Operation to require loss reports include enhanced end-use monitoring-designated defense articles potentially captured by an adversary.

1. We recommend that the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office align USPTO policy with departmental requirements to have all USPTO employees report all IT security incidents, including PII exposure, immediately (within 1 hour) once an incident is suspected or confirmed.

5. We recommend that the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office hold USPTO leadership accountable to comply with USPTO risk acceptance policies and procedures.

6. We recommend that the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office establish a requirement within USPTO risk acceptance policies and procedures to consider violations of the Privacy Act during IT security incidents.

7. We recommend that the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office reassess the non-mission-critical designation of TSDR and other systems supporting the trademark process.