Open Recommendations

We recommend that the PBS Commissioner ensures PBS personnel responsible for measurement and verification activities: are adequately trained to understand how to perform their oversight responsibilities in accordance with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program guidance; independently witness, verify, and document the ESCO’s baseline measurements; and adhere to PBS’s policy to ensure O&M contractor employees do not serve as government witnesses for ESPCs.

We recommend that the PBS Commissioner ensures the project team establishes communication protocols by developing an effective communication plan that is consistent with the PBS Project Management Practice Guide V.2 to prevent the government from incurring unnecessary costs.

We recommend that the PBS Commissioner ensures contracting officers authorize contract changes and implement them through contract modifications, in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

Rec. 1.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Health Informatics Division Chief Health Informatics Officer develop and implement a process to monitor and resolve, at least quarterly, scheduling requests routed to the unknown queue.

Rec. 1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Defense Health Agency Health Informatics Division Chief Health Informatics Officer configure MHS GENESIS to alert clinicians when an order has an error before generating a scheduling request that routes to the unknown queue.

We recommend the DHS Chief Information Officer strengthen oversight to ensure components adhere to DHS’ policies to remediate all known information security weaknesses in a timely manner.

Update the Key Performance Indicators as BEYOND continues into its next phase tailored to specific lead participant operational objectives and FAA goals.

Consolidate all BVLOS drone flight data across multiple programs and FAA offices into a single searchable repository to enable comprehensive trending and analysis.

Develop and implement a process to enhance clarity and transparency across lines of business with program participants regarding how the Agency is using collected drone operational flight data to inform policy efforts and identify any informational gaps and opportunities.

Develop and implement a process to validate drone partnership program data that enhances accuracy and reduces manual workload.

Issue a formal policy on how to incorporate societal and economic benefit data into future operational assessments for specific BVLOS drone operations.

Develop and implement a standardized approach to commence a new community engagement collection and education effort in the next phase of BEYOND.

Create a mechanism in BEYOND to add new lead participants to both replace lead participants who drop out of the program and to enhance geographic and programmatic diversity.

Work with ARC to resolve the costs questioned totaling $693,374 for non-ARC match construction costs.

Develop policies and procedures for determining the allowability and allocability of costs, record retention, and procurement standards as required under the Uniform Guidance.

Develop policies and procedures to ensure GL grant expenditures are reconciled with supporting documentation to reflect accurate reporting of financial information.

Work with ARC to resolve the reporting discrepancies of non-ARC matching cost share expenditures to reflect the total cost incurred.

We recommend that the Deputy Secretary ensure that EDA, NIST, NTIA, and the GEMS project reconcile the extent to which those bureaus’ grants management requirements can be met by GEMS.

We recommend that the Deputy Secretary ensure that EDA, NIST, NTIA, and the GEMS project develop plans, cost estimates, and schedules to consolidate grants management to the extent possible in GEMS, in accordance with Department goals.

We recommend that the Deputy Secretary ensure that the OCIO reviews the adequacy of the Department’s system of internal control (policies, procedures, and governance bodies) for major IT investments and makes changes to ensure operating units comply with policy and procedures and appropriate officials are held accountable for compliance.

We recommend that the Deputy Secretary ensure that the OCIO reviews the adequacy of EDA’s system of internal control of IT investments provided both through its memorandum of understanding with the Office of the Secretary for OCIO services and other applicable means (policies, procedures, and governance bodies).

We recommend that the Deputy Secretary ensure that the OCIO conducts training on IT investment policy and procedures and QSMO requirements for appropriate personnel.

We recommend that the Deputy Secretary assess the GEMS project’s workforce needs and take appropriate steps as indicated.

We recommend that the Deputy Secretary ensure the project defines and implements management controls for requirements in
accordance with GAO’s Agile Assessment Guide.

We recommend that the Deputy Secretary ensure the project has support for cost estimation and better defines and
implements its cost management controls in accordance with the Department’s Cost Estimating Guide.