Open Recommendations

Update their methodology to evaluate merchant data compliance to include analyzing the volume of packages without unique data for each platform.

Some or all of the recommendation is not publicly available due to concerns with information protected under the Freedom of Information Act.

Identify and address Merchant Rate Card platforms' technical compliance issues to improve rate accuracy.

Require quarterly business reviews to include data analytics to validate the platforms charge accurate postage and fees and resolve platform issues.

Coordinate with platforms to collect previously undetected short-payments resulting from postage discrepancies identifiable based on package information transmitted to the Postal Service.

Coordinate with platforms to refund previously undetected over-payments resulting from postage discrepancies identifiable based on package information transmitted to the Postal Service.

Review current outreach strategies, including staffing assignments, and make appropriate changes to optimize resources, ensuring maximum awareness of available assistance to disaster survivors.

Implement processes to gather feedback from applicants that would assist the agency in monitoring the effectiveness of its outreach methods.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration develop and implement internal controls to ensure that performance progress reports are complete before finalizing an awards monitoring plan and report.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration develop and implement oversight and governance processes for the use of Artificial Intelligence for reviewing awards performance reports.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $400 in questioned costs related to HIAS Inc.s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0242) for a meal that was contractually required to include wine are allowable and (b) recover any costs determined to be unallowable.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $2,324 in questioned costs related to Fondazione Associazione Volontari Per Servizio Internazionales cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0207) for a contracted social worker are supported and (b) recover any costs determined to be unsupported.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $2,430 in questioned costs related to Pan American Development Foundation Inc.s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0344) for clothing are allowable and (b) recover any costs determined to be unallowable.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine the correct Modified Total Direct Cost and associated indirect cost reimbursement related to Fondazione Associazione Volontari Per Servizio Internazionales cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0207) and (b) recover any costs (at least $36,891) determined to be in excess of what is allowable.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $108,000 in unsupported costs related to Fondazione Associazione Volontari Per Servizio Internazionales cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0207) for beneficiary housing are supported and (b) recover any costs determined to be unsupported.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration develop and implement internal controls to ensure that non-federal entities meet the single or program-specific audit requirement before receiving an award.

We recommend the CBP Office of Intelligence develop and issue policy for identifying and screening SIAs.

We recommend the CBP Border Patrol develop and implement a process for timely disseminating FCMs to agents conducting interviews.

We recommend the CBP Border Patrol develop and implement a process for timely disseminating FCMs to agents conducting interviews.

The Chief, Criminal Investigation, should ensure that the CIS and SME are familiar with seizure memorandum requirements. This includes ensuring that seizure memorandums are completed with key activity information; and enforcing, monitoring, and adhering to guidelines.

The Chief, Criminal Investigation, should ensure that steps are taken to preserve the form of the digital asset seized. Policies and procedures should be implemented to restore a seized digital asset to its original currency type in the event the asset is converted to a different digital currency type to execute the seizure.

The Chief, Criminal Investigation, should implement policies and procedures to ensure that cases are appropriately transferred and adhere to the evidentiary chain of custody requirements when a special agent leaves the IRS.

The Chief, Criminal Investigation, should establish an inventory system that can manage seized digital assets to include accurately tracking the quantity of digital assets to the fractional digit, and ensure that there is consistent treatment of all seized digital assets within its tracking system.

The Chief, Criminal Investigation, should update the Pre-Seizure Planning of Digital Assets and the Custody and Storage of Seized Assets guidelines to accurately reflect the processes to follow from seizure to disposition of seized digital assets.

The Chief, Criminal Investigation, should update internal guidelines to include time frame requirements for preparing the seizure memorandum and updating records in AFTRAK.