Open Recommendations

In accordance with Public Law 117-2, § 5003(a)(4)(A)(i) take immediate action to review and recover improper payments from the 14 affiliated business groups disclosed by RRF applicants for a total of $55,067,326 in excess funds paid, beyond the $10 million limit per affiliated group.

Review the 16,345 applicants that disclosed having an affiliated business to determine if the amounts collectively awarded to the applicant and affiliates exceeded the $10 million maximum and recover any excess awards.

Embassy Lilongwe should bring its fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should conduct the required annual review of the Zomba Mountain Cottage to determine whether the property is economical to retain and if continued U.S. government ownership of the property is justified.

Embassy Lilongwe should manage its bulk fuel operation in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should obtain authorization from the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations to use shipping containers for storage or remove them in accordance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should bring its furniture and appliance pool program into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should bring its property management procedures into compliance with Department standards.

Embassy Lilongwe should bring its local compensation plan and practices into alignment with Department authorizations.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to resolve the Federal share ($1,497,008) of unallowable questioned costs related to the acquisition of an aircraft.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to implement policies and procedures to ensure the costs of capital assets are properly allocated to WSFR grants based on the proportional benefits the grants receive.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to resolve the Federal share ($33,728) of questioned costs related to unallowable merit-based incentive pay charged to WSFR grants.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to implement policies and procedures to ensure merit-based incentive benefits allocated to a grant code do not exceed the value of the benefits earned on that grant.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to implement policies and procedures to ensure costs of tuition reimbursements receive prior written approval from the FWS.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to resolve the Federal share ($16,021) of questioned costs related to unallowable administrative leave costs.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to require the Department to implement policies and procedures to ensure administrative leave costs are scrutinized for relation to grant purpose.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to resolve the Federal share ($4,043) of unsupported questioned costs related to the payout of employees' annual leave costs charged to the grant.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to implement policies and procedures to ensure that leave paid to employees is properly allocated to a grant code and does not exceed the value of leave earned on that grant.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to develop policies and procedures to identify and evaluate potential sources of program income on grants.

We recommend that the FWS require the Department to resolve damage to real property due to trespassing cattle.

Update NMSS informal guidance, as needed, with up-to-date examples for staff to consistently determine the severity level of Part 37 violations.

Update the Enforcement Policy and Enforcement Manual to specifically reference Title 10 C.F.R. Part 37 requirements; include in these updated documents any necessary references to the newly updated informal guidance; and, disseminate the updated documents for staff consideration when determining the severity level of Part 37 violations.

EXIM’s Office of Human Capital, in coordination with the Office of General Counsel, should revise the Conduct, Performance, and Discipline Policy to either define the standards of conduct or cite EXIM’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as well as clarify policy language to ensure that all EXIM employees are held to the same standards of conduct, regardless of the employee's appointment status.

Coordinate with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer to ensure its methodology to develop Field Office staffing requirements meets OMBrequirements.

Evaluate its method of determining Regional staffing levels and consider whether a method that evaluates the level of work associated with thecases in addition to the case intake is more appropriate and what, if any, impact the ratios of R cases to C cases may affect the level of work.