Open Recommendations

We recommend that the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Finance and Operations ensure that the office ofAcquisition, Grants, and Risk Management develops and implements a process for ensuring that contractor,subcontractor, grantee and subgrantee employees are notified in writing of their whistleblower protections in thepredominant native language of the workforce.

We recommend that the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Finance and Operations ensure that Federal Student Aidand Contracts and Acquisition Management staff are aware of and adhere to applicable Department policy (e.g.,Acquisition Alerts) and FAR requirements and that the Department's contract review processes are following currentrequirements and policy.

We recommend that the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Finance and Operations include reference to 2 C.F.R.200.300, which includes a specific reference to the Section 4712, or other language highlighting a grantee's responsibilityto inform their employees of whistleblower protections, in new Grant Award Notifications, similar to the specific referenceincluded in contract awards.

We recommend that the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Finance and Operations ensure that the contracts noted inthe OIG's review that included the incorrect clause are updated.

We recommend the Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations assign an office responsible for managing and overseeing the risk classification assessment process.

We recommend the Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations establish and implement a formal policy and procedure for using the risk classification assessment process. The policy should include requirements for when officers should apply the risk classification assessment process and how officers should sufficiently document justifications to ensure the rationales for their decisions are clear, especially when deviating from the risk classification assessment’s recommended decision.

We recommend Senior Vice President, Power Operations, and the Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer, Technology and Innovation, develop a contingency plan for the operational technology at the site.

We recommend Senior Vice President, Power Operations, and the Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer, Technology and Innovation, complete the ongoing inventory project for the operational technology at the site.

We recommend Senior Vice President, Power Operations, and the Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer, Technology and Innovation, document and implement operational technology system baselines and monitor systems for changes.

We recommend Senior Vice President, Power Operations, and the Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer, Technology and Innovation, design and implement cybersecurity monitoring, as appropriate, for the operational technology.

We recommend Senior Vice President, Power Operations, and the Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer, Technology and Innovation, perform a risk assessment and update it as needed.

We recommend that the OCFO implement written policies and procedures over the trust fund management and related systems in accordance with the GAO Green Book, including but not limited to: Processes for acceptance and usage of Payroll Office RITS' data. Processes for importing data from RITS to the FMCD2812 system, accounting and other functions conducted within the FMCD2812 system, and the uploading of data into the AIOS system. Extraction and use of financial systems reports in the FMCD2812 system.

We recommend that the OCFO implement written policies and procedures over the trust fund management and premium payment processes in accordance with the GAO Green Book, including but not limited to: Approval and payment of funds to the carriers via ACH. Approval and transfer of funds from the contingency reserve to the Letter of Credit system. Approval and transfer of funds from the contingency reserve to the FEHBP carriers via ACH. Explanations for the securities, maturity, and investment due dates for the FEHBP trust fund. Supervisory activities over trust fund management and premium payment processes activities. The TFM office's succession/contingency…

We recommend that OPM establish an enterprise-wide fraud policy or an antifraud strategy to ensure compliance with OMB Circular A-123 as it relates to implementation of GAO's Fraud Risk Management Framework.

We recommend the Assistant Commissioner, OFAM, CBP, develop and implement guidance to standardize the process of identifying, validating, prioritizing, and resolving critical repairs at CBP-owned LPOEs identified through the FCA process.

(U) Rec. 1.a: Report is Classified.

(U) Rec. 1.b: Report is Classified.

(U) Rec. 1.c: Report is Classified.

(U) Rec. 2.a: Report is Classified.

(U) Rec. 2.b: Report is Classified.

Coordinate with CBP to establish an effective approach to detain and remove inadmissible travelers.

Inventory inadmissible travelers released on parole between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2023, who failed to return for removal flights, and ensure that each of these inadmissible travelers is issued an NTA.

Ensure sufficient staffing to issue NTAs to released inadmissible travelers who fail to return for removal flights.

We recommend that USAID/Bureau for Management/Office of Acquisition & Assistance ensure that Jhpiego documents key processes and controls in its company policies and procedures to include the approval requirements associated with its access revocation process, new hire orientation checklist, initial salary determinations, international travel, travel expense report, invoices, and financial reports.

We recommend that USAID/Bureau for Management/Office of Acquisition & Assistance require FHI-360 to develop and implement procedures to include the Compensated Personal Absence rate in its supporting documentation and negotiations leading up to the execution of a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, unless USAID provides written approval to bill the rate on applicable awards.