Open Recommendations

Adopt mechanisms to improve the accuracy of its information-sharing data and the completeness of its information about the outcomes of internal and external referrals and use this information to better assess the value and effectiveness of its information sharing practices, with the goal of providing enhanced oversight of FFLs.

The U.S. Mission to the European Union, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs, should review the need for the Senior Consular Representative position and make adjustments as necessary to meet both U.S. consular policy objectives and Department standards for effective use of resources.

Embassy Beirut, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs, should implement a plan to mitigate, to the maximum extent practicable, safety risks associated with the area outside the pedestrian gate used by consular customers, in accordance with Department guidelines.

Embassy Beirut, in coordination with the Bureaus of Consular Affairs and Overseas Buildings Operations, should provide protection from the elements for consular applicants, in accordance with Department standards.

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

Embassy Beirut, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should report all unauthorized construction projects and rectify each project in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Beirut 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 requirements.

Embassy Beirut should bring its contracting officer’s representative program into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Beirut should enforce driver duty limits for all embassy drivers in accordance with Department guidelines.

Embassy Beirut should require the Beirut Recreation Association Board of Directors to comply with Department standards and its own by-laws regarding its oversight responsibilities.

Embassy Beirut should implement internal controls to ensure government resources are used in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Beirut should train locally employed information management staff in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Beirut should perform information systems security officers’ duties in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Beirut should comply with Department standards for managing its dedicated internet networks.

Embassy Beirut should implement a records management program in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Beirut, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should relocate stored items to climate-controlled storage outside the unclassified server room to conform to Department and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

Rec. 1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Army Contracting Command-Rock Island Executive Director request a refund from the contractor for any excess payment or arrange for payment to the contractor for any under-billed costs identified by the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

Rec. 1.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Army Contracting Command-Rock Island Executive Director issue guidance to reinforce the importance of the contracting officer and contracting officer's representative roles and involvement in review of invoices prior to payment.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, comply with Department of State guidance to address the schedule delay for New Embassy Compound Mexico City, Mexico. Specifically, OBO, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, must (1) determine the type of delay (excusable, nonexcusable, or compensable), (2) document the delay, (3) develop the government’s position, (4) discuss the government’s position with the contractor, (5) adjust the government’s position based on the discussions with the contractor, and (6) prepare a final decision.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, working collaboratively with Caddell Construction Co, LLC, develop and implement an action plan to ensure the Project Execution Schedule meets all the purposes outlined in Contract Specification 013205, paragraph 1.4 for Contract SAQMMA17C0287, NEC Mexico City, Mexico.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, evaluate and respond to the Time Impact Analysis (TIA) prepared by the contractor to determine whether a schedule extension was justified for the unilateral modification P00066 to the New Embassy Compound Mexico City, Mexico. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Department of State policy, OBO, in collaboration with the Bureau of Administration, must (1) prepare a prenegotiation memorandum and a findings of fact that include a TIA, (2) issue a decision on the prenegotiation memorandum, (3) proceed with negotiations, including discussion…

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, assess time as part of their independent government cost estimate process and evaluate and respond to the Time Impact Analysis (TIA) prepared by the contractor for all outstanding requests for proposals to the New Embassy Compound Mexico City, Mexico, project when preparing an independent government cost estimate. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Department of State policy, OBO, in collaboration with the Bureau of Administration, must (1) prepare a prenegotiation memorandum and a findings of fact that include TIAs, (2) issue…

Revise Security and Hazardous Materials Safety Order 1600.20 guidance to avoid overlap or contradiction with similar procedures contained in FAA Order 1600.38.

We recommend that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services correct the inaccurately reported deficiencies that we identified for the sampled nursing homes.

We recommend that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services correct existing programming in ASPEN that prevented the 56 emergency preparedness deficiencies from being reported on Care Compare.