Open Recommendations

For the contract activities during the period of January 1, 2020, through April 2022, the Director should require the Authority to implement adequate procedures and controls, including but not limited to ensuring that (1) proper documentation is maintained, (2) contracts are procured in accordance with Federal and the Authority's procurement requirements, (3) procurement staff complies with Federal procurement requirements, and (4) payments are appropriately reconciled.

We recommend that the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Programs refund $282,643 to the Federal Government.

We recommend that the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Programs require subrecipients to provide and retain supporting documentation for invoices submitted for reimbursement under Federal grants as recommended in Bulletin No. 5.

We recommend that the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Programs conduct a periodic review of supporting documentation (i.e., invoices, payroll registers, and time and effort reports) for subrecipient expenditures submitted to DSU for reimbursement.

We recommend that the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Programs provide training to State employees responsible for conducting pre-award risk assessments of potential subrecipients of Federal grant funds.

We recommend that the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Programs conduct annual site visits as required within the terms and conditions of the grant award that include program and fiscal reviews.

We recommend that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services remediate the seven security control findings OIG identified.

We recommend that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services update security controls to align with the most current NIST SP 800-53 requirements.

We recommend that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services enhance policies and procedures to periodically identify and assess whether security controls are in place and operating effectively in accordance with the most current NIST SP 800-53 controls and remediate weak controls timely.

Embassy Brussels should advise and brief U.S. citizens in Belgium in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Brussels, in coordination with the Bureaus of Consular Affairs and Overseas Buildings Operations, should provide a wheelchair-accessible restroom option for consular customers.

Embassy Brussels, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.

The U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in coordination with Embassy Brussels, should require that all residences are inspected and certified in the Post Occupational Safety and Health Officer Certification Application in accordance with Department standards.

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

Embassy Brussels should bring its contracting officer's representative program into compliance with Department standards.

The U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in coordination with Embassy Brussels, should submit its living quarters expenditure reports in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Brussels, in coordination with the Bureaus of Budget and Planning, the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, European and Eurasian Affairs, and Global Talent Management, should implement a plan to fully fund the locally employed staff defined benefit pension plan to comply with Belgium's labor laws and address long-term funding concerns.

Embassy Brussels should cease paying for residential internet for vacant residences that do not have an alarm system connected to internet, in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Brussels should categorize, assess, and authorize its locally developed applications in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Brussels should replace the unauthorized wireless access points operating within its facilities with an approved wireless network.

Embassy Brussels, in coordination with the U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, should obtain proper approval for its video conferencing system in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Brussels, in coordination with the U.S. Mission to the European Union and the U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, should implement a records management program that complies with Department standards.

We recommend the DHS Chief Financial Officer ensure FEMA conducts payment integrity testing of the Funeral Assistance program.

We recommend the DHS Chief Financial Officer ensure FEMA assesses and conducts payment integrity testing, as applicable, for any program with COVID-19 funding that meets the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 threshold.

We recommend the DHS Chief Financial Officer ensure DHS’ Risk Management and Assurance Division follows OMB requirements for programs that do not comply with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019, as stated in Appendix C of OMB Circular A-123.