Open Recommendations

Based on the results of its actions taken for sample allegations, take corrective action for the remaining population of 14,777 beneficiaries whose allegations were still pending.

Establish a process to periodically follow up on the recovery of organizational payee overpayments established in the Social Security Online Accounting and Reporting System to ensure employees take additional action to recover misused benefits.

Update SSA policy in the Program Operations Manual System to ensure employees are required to document formal misuse determinations when they review evidence.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, (a) finalize and publish definitions and descriptions for temporary structures and related terminology, (b) update applicable policies and process documents, and (c) communicate this information to all Department of State employees who have responsibility for real property at overseas posts.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (a) draft and publish guidance in the Foreign Affairs Manual requiring posts to request authorization and permits before changing the intended and permitted use of any structure and (b) communicate this information to all Department of State employees who have responsibility for real property at overseas posts.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations update the Real Property Application User Manual to (a) improve the guidance provided for data entry, including guidance related to standardization and streamlining of naming and categorization, and (b) include information related to structure type consistent with the definitions published in response to Recommendation 1.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), develop and implement a process to periodically reconcile data between the Real Property Application and key DS databases, including the Published Waivers/Exceptions database, Deficiency Database, and Published Physical Security Surveys database.

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations develop and implement policies and procedures to request a certification from posts indicating that they do not have any unauthorized shipping containers.

We recommend that DNFSB’s Chief Information Security Officer acquire resources to adequately support the procurement, onboarding and implementation of requirements across all EL maturity tiers to ensure events are logged and tracked in accordance with OMB M-21-31.

The Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, should coordinate with relevant bureaus to modify contracts identified by OIG to include the required whistleblower clause.

The Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, should issue an instruction to all contracting officers to insert the clause in FAR 52.203-17 into all future contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in accordance with Department guidance.

The Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, should develop a mechanism to regularly communicate to Department of State grantees their responsibility to inform their employees of whistleblower protections.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media should insert the clause in FAR 52.203-17 into all future contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in accordance with Civilian Agency Acquisition Council guidance.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media should develop a mechanism to regularly communicate to USAGM grantees their responsibility to inform their employees of whistleblower protections and consider adding an explicit requirement to its four grantee agreements.

The agency assigns a key role in the organizational structure that has the overall responsibility to manage human resources for overseas PSCs.

The agency creates or modifies data collection tools to gather the data necessary to conduct comprehensive reviews of human resources management for overseas PSCs that could improve performance outcomes and operational effectiveness.

The agency conducts a comprehensive review of human resources management for overseas PSCs to improve performance outcomes and operational effectiveness.

The agency develops a plan to implement improvements identified in the comprehensive review of human resources management for overseas PSCs.

The agency ensures that each post establishes a hiring process that includes a standard timeline for hiring and clarifies the responsibilities of staff that have a role in the process.

The agency establishes grievance policies and procedures for overseas PSCs that includes guidance about how grievances are raised and resolved.

The agency establishes a standard operating procedure that ensures staff handbooks are updated timely and effectively.

The agency ensures that posts develop and document an awards program that outlines eligibility criteria and process.

The agency develops and implements a plan to train USDH and local staff for their human resources management responsibilities.

We recommend that the Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection discontinue use of commercial telemetry data until the Privacy Impact Assessments are completed and approved.

We recommend that the Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement discontinue use of commercial telemetry data until the Privacy Impact Assessments are completed and approved.