Open Recommendations

We recommend that FWS require the Department to update Department policy to include language on covered employees being paid overtime when they reach the compensatory time maximum balance.

We recommend that FWS require the Department to develop a control to help enforce Department policy on the employee use of compensatory time off to limit cash payments for overtime.

We recommend that FWS require the Department to train Department supervisors on policies and procedures related to monitoring and managing employee compensatory time.

The Chief Data and Analytics Officer should ensure that the agency’s audit trail repository accurately displays and reports all CDW login information.

The Chief Data and Analytics Officer should develop procedures to ensure that all CDW servers are included in configuration compliance scans as required.

As expeditiously as possible, the Commissioner of the Fiscal Service should ensure that the financial agency agreement (FAA) for Direct Express Program cardholder services includes adequate provisions to help ensure that open SR notices are reviewed timely and that investigations are concluded within 10 business days per Regulation E or that the cardholder receives provisional credit no later than the 10th business day; and as recommended in our July 2019 report, Fiscal Service should use banking regulator reports to monitor compliance with the FAA and service level requirements.

Work with ARC to resolve the questioned cost totaling $20,083 for ARC funded personnel cost.

Revise policies and procedures to ensure payments made with federal funds are allowable in accordance with the grant agreements terms and requirements of the Uniform Guidance.

Work with ARC to resolve the questioned cost totaling $2,565 for unsupported non-ARC Other (in-kind) match costs.

Work with ARC to resolve the questioned cost totaling $4,738 for unsupported non-ARC Personnel match cost.

Revise policies and procedures to perform quality control reviews of expenses incurred to ensure match costs reported to ARC are accurately reflected and fully supported by documentation in accordance with the grant agreement terms and the Uniform Guidance.

Implement mechanisms to better communicate and reinforce Post Office Box program priorities and oversight requirements, including performing up-time scans, completing annual audit and semi-annual overflow reviews, collecting reactivation fees, and completing box closures.

Develop a comprehensive, strategic assessment of the Post Office Box program, which would include analysis of how key program components, such as prices, utilization, service, and marketing, impact on current and prospective customer segments and demand across the country.

Implement a plan when deploying future
Matrix Regional Sorters to provide necessary training to maintenance staff
for a smooth and timely transition from contractor support.

Define needed maintenance tasks for both the contractor and Postal Service staff to perform, including the timing and frequency of assigned/required maintenance tasks for the Matrix Regional Sorter.

Analyze the Matrix Regional Sorter performance to determine if goals are attainable and, if not, determine
realistic goals for each facility with a Matrix Regional Sorter, updating any cost savings projections if necessary.

Assess its contract award actions and take necessary steps to resolve the award-related deficiencies associated with the ballistics research assistant services contract.

Determine how to appropriately remedy its management and use of an improper personal services contract.

Evaluate any potential conflicts of interest related to Contractor-1, including reviewing past procurements that involved Contractor-1, to determine if the procurement processes were fair and transparent and whether additional actions should be taken to resolve any identified issues.

Review the additional option years to determine if they are appropriate and compliant with applicable regulations.

Evaluate the lapses that occurred in the FBI's management and oversight of this contract. This evaluation should include determining the best course of action for resolving the $4,928 payment discrepancy, while taking into consideration Contractor-1 receiving less than the firm-fixed-price amount on the relevant task orders. In addition, the FBI should analyze prior OIG reported contract issues to determine if additional action is needed to enhance the FBI's contracting practices due to similar issues occurring in this contract.

We recommend that the Assistant Secretary for OSERS require RSA to design and document procedures for its annualreview process. The procedures should be in the form of written policies and procedures or protocols, and designed toensure compliance with applicable requirements, including those covered in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and theDepartment’s “Guide for Managing Formula Grant Programs.”

We recommend that the Assistant Secretary for OSERS require RSA to strengthen its process for selecting State VRagencies to monitor by (a) incorporating a risk factor that accounts for an agency’s technical assistance needs (such asnumber of requests made or complexity of technical assistance needs) into the accountability model used to help selectagencies and (b) establishing a reasonable time period (for example, 8 to 10 years) during which all agencies must bemonitored (through periodic onsite monitoring or offsite monitoring) by RSA at least once.

CO make a determination regarding the allowability of questioned costs identified in this report, recover those amounts determined to be unallowable, and determine whether additional steps are needed to validate the allowability of costs.

Develop a tool to analyze the data in CBFish and identifying potential issues.