Open Recommendations

Embassy Abuja should obtain authorization from the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations to use shipping containers for storage and office space or dismantle and remove them in accordance with Department.

Embassy Abuja should dispose of excess expendable and nonexpendable property in accordance with Department guidelines.

Embassy Abuja should adhere to travel regulations in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Abuja should manage the fuel and motor vehicle transportation coupon program in accordance with Department guidance.

Embassy Abuja should review its unliquidated obligations in accordance with Department standards and put up to $1.2 million to better use.

Embassy Abuja should review and revise locally employed staff position descriptions and classify them in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Abuja should complete all information systems security officer responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Abuja should install emergency power-off switches inside the server rooms adjacent to each egress door, in accordance with Department standards.

We recommend that Retirement Services update their SOP to provide guidance on when exceptions to pulling a credit report would be warranted. The SOP should also discuss alternate procedures to validate income and expenses, when Retirement Services cannot obtain the credit report.

We recommend that the OCFO and Retirement Services develop policies and procedures to ensure that the total (gross) amount of the overpayment(s) is reported as an improper payment, along with controls to validate the proper amount is reported.

The Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, and the Commissioner, Small Business/Self-Employed Division, should consider expanding the use of soft notices to address potentially erroneous PTC claims. These notices should provide individuals with information specific to the eligibility or reporting requirements related to the potential error the IRS identified and suggest the filing of an amended return, if an error has occurred.

The Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, should notify the 317,418 taxpayers we identified, who potentially received less PTC than they were entitled or repaid more APTC than required, that they may qualify for additional PTC or overpaid APTC and encourage them to file an amended Tax Year 2021 return, if applicable.

The Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, should develop processes, such as the use of courtesy letters to notify individuals of their potential eligibility, to proactively assist taxpayers who, based on available tax return and Exchange data, potentially claimed less PTC than entitled or paid more APTC than required.

We recommend that the BIA develop a method to track and monitor the closeout process of Public Law 93-638 agreements.

We recommend that the BIA develop a methodology for identifying Public Law 93-638 agreements where the completion of specific administrative tasks would result in ability to close agreements.

We recommend that the BIA take appropriate action on the 183 agreements with $5,070,072 in unused funds identified in this report.

We recommend that the Deputy Assistant Secretary work with the Authority to assess the risk of potential improper payment for projects PW273 and PW100 and vouchers 576322, 583423, and 578761.

We recommend that the Deputy Assistant Secretary instruct the Authority to train the CMU staff on the newly developed policies and procedures and obtain technical assistance from HUD as needed.

Establish a process to regularly determine whether back-end edit routines should be added, updated, or discontinued to increase the accuracy and number of reinstatements.

Track all back-end edit routine costs to regularly determine whether each edit routine is a prudent use of SSA’s limited resources.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to address the questioned costs related to unfunded liabilities totaling $1,366,999 (Federal share) in consultation with appropriate U.S. Department of the Interior offices to determine if the costs are allowable pursuant to Federal regulations and award terms and conditions.

Capture and analyze the issues identified in whistleblower claims (for instance, by using relevant SAIN/UIL) and confirm whether the issues were substantiated in an examination using Forms 211 and 11369 and other relevant documentation, whether through modifications to e-Trak or through the replacement for e-Trak.

The assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer implement a more effective vulnerability management program to identify all critical security deficiencies on the network and to remediate vulnerabilities within policy timelines.

The St. Cloud VA Medical Center director ensure video surveillance systems are operational and monitored for the data center.

Validate that appropriate physical and environmental security measures are implemented and functioning as intended.