Open Recommendations

EXIM's Office of External Engagement should identify and implement due diligence activities, as needed, to mitigate the potential risks based upon its risk profile, such as determining when character, reputational, and transaction integrity (CRTI) reviews or other ethical, legal, law enforcement, Office of Inspector General, or non-public source reviews are needed.

We recommend that the Acting Assistant Administrator for USAID's Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean document management controls for U.S. foreign assistance to Colombia such as by defining key terms, inserting specific appropriations law language in activity-specific statutory checklists for any new obligations, and clarifying how limitations apply to unspent prior year funds.

We recommend that the Acting Assistant Administrator for USAID's Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean formalize guidance for implementing USAID's more restrictive stance of not providing assistance that targets demobilized combatants.

Define in policy
a. the process that examiners should use to request access to files in the Supervision Examination System.
b. the criteria that managers and regional analysts should use to assess whether a need to know exists in accordance with the least privilege principle.
c. the requirement that regional analysts document an examiner’s need to know before granting access to supervision files in the Supervision Examination System.
d. consequences for accessing confidential supervisory information without a need to know or providing access to confidential supervisory information when a need to know does not exist.

Update the document handling directive to require supervision staff to share files by emailing Supervision Examination System links.

Develop and require training for CFPB staff involved in the examination process for the policy and guidance resulting from recommendations 1 and 2.

Update the guidance for prioritizing and scheduling examinations to reflect the current link sharing practice and to limit access to the supporting analysis to those with a need to know.

Update the guidance for managing breaches of confidential supervisory information to include expectations for
a. assessing and documenting the level of harm associated with a breach.
b. counseling, training, or taking other measures to hold CFPB staff responsible for breaches accountable, as appropriate, and documenting such actions.
c. analyzing the causes of breaches to identify trends and implement appropriate control adjustments, as necessary.

Develop required training on the updated guidance after it is implemented.

Update the CFPB’s confidential information breach response directive to
a. provide guidance for assessing the risk to institutions affected by breaches of confidential supervisory information and notifying those institutions.
b. define the roles and responsibilities for those involved in the process.

Rec. 1.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness revise and reissue policy requiring the Military Departments to follow a uniform process to identify, notify, and report child abuse allegations to parents or legal guardians across all DoD-sanctioned activities, including child development centers.

Rec. 1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness revise and reissue policy requiring the Military Departments to follow a uniform process to maintain parental or legal guardian notification documentation for child abuse allegations across all DoD-sanctioned activities, including child development centers.

Rec. 2.a: The DoD OIG recommended that, when the revised DoD policy is issued, the Chief, Army Child and Youth Services revise and reissue policy to align with the requirements established in the updated DoD policy in Recommendation 1 requiring uniform parental or legal guardian notifications of child abuse allegations.

Rec. 2.b: The DoD OIG recommended that, when the revised DoD policy is issued, the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations revise and reissue policy to align with the requirements established in the updated DoD policy in Recommendation 1 requiring uniform parental or legal guardian notifications of child abuse allegations.

Rec. 2.c: The DoD OIG recommended that, when the revised DoD policy is issued, the Director, Marine and Family Programs revise and reissue policy to align with the requirements established in the updated DoD policy in Recommendation 1 requiring uniform parental or legal guardian notifications of child abuse allegations.

Rec. 2.d: The DoD OIG recommended that, when the revised DoD policy is issued, the Director, Air Force Policy and Resources revise and reissue policy to align with the requirements established in the updated DoD policy in Recommendation 1 requiring uniform parental or legal guardian notifications of child abuse allegations.

We recommend that FWS require the Department to provide training regarding subaward monitoring and public reporting requirements to all grant managers and others responsible for the administration of subawards to ensure policies and procedures are being followed in compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations and State policy.

(U) Rec. 1: The DoD OIG recommended that the Chief of Staff of the Army conduct a review of Army units responsible for conducting joint logistics over-the-shore missions and determine what recommendations should be made to the Secretary of the Army on force structure, training, and equipment acquisition and maintenance to meet the Armys requirement to conduct joint logistics over-the-shore. At a minimum, the Chief of Staffs recommendations should include the development and implementation of an action plan to improve the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) readiness to meet established Service manning, training, and equipment readiness standards, as well as any…

(U) Rec. 2: The DoD OIG recommended that the Chief of Naval Operations conduct a review of Navy units responsible for conducting joint logistics over-the-shore missions and determine what recommendations should be made to the Secretary of the Navy on force structure, training, and equipment acquisition and maintenance to meet the Navys requirement to conduct joint logistics over-the-shore. At a minimum, the Chief of Naval Operations recommendations should include the development and implementation of an action plan to improve Naval Beach Group 1s readiness to meet established Service manning and equipment readiness standards, as well as any future joint mission…

(U) Rec. 3.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command develop and implement a plan to meet their assigned responsibilities as the Joint Deployment and Distribution Coordinator for the DoDs joint logistics over-the-shore capabilities in accordance with DoD Instruction 5158.06, Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise Planning and Operations. At a minimum, the plan should include requirements to coordinate with the geographic combatant commanders, Military Services, and Joint Staff to develop, implement, and annually refine both joint and Service-specific mission-essential task lists for the DoDs joint logistics over-the-shore capability.

(U) Rec. 3.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command develop and implement a plan to meet their assigned responsibilities as the Joint Deployment and Distribution Coordinator for the DoDs joint logistics over-the-shore capabilities in accordance with DoD Instruction 5158.06, Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise Planning and Operations. At a minimum, the plan should include requirements to conduct capabilities-based assessments, research, and development for joint logistics over-the-shore equipment and provide recommendations to the Military Services for retention, modification, retirement, or transition of systems to improve interoperability.

(U) Rec. 3.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command develop and implement a plan to meet their assigned responsibilities as the Joint Deployment and Distribution Coordinator for the DoDs joint logistics over-the-shore capabilities in accordance with DoD Instruction 5158.06, Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise Planning and Operations. At a minimum, the plan should include requirements to establish and chair a joint logistics over-the-shore working groupthat meets annually to identify and address gaps by aligning joint logistics over-the-shore planning, programming, budgeting, and execution functions with projected combatant command operational requirements. Membership in the working group…

(U) Rec. 3.d: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command develop and implement a plan to meet their assigned responsibilities as the Joint Deployment and Distribution Coordinator for the DoDs joint logistics over-the-shore capabilities in accordance with DoD Instruction 5158.06, Join Deployment and Distribution Enterprise Planning and Operations. At a minimum, the plan should include requirements to provide a report to the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff identifying ongoing challenges or gaps related to joint logistics over-the-shore and recommending policies, procedures, or actions necessary to better align the DoDs…

The Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 director confirms that VA has initiated the process to seek recoupment of the critical skill incentive paid by VA to Ms. Skala that was attributable to a service period that she did not complete due to her retirement.

The assistant secretary for Human Resources and administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness directs a review to determine whether any VHA employee ranked GS-15 or above awarded a critical skill incentive has left VA before completing their required service obligation, and, if so, whether VA has established a debt and initiated recoupment in the amount of the CSI attributable to the uncompleted period, and takes further corrective actions as warranted.

Improve vulnerability management processes to ensure all vulnerabilities are identified and plans of action and milestones are created for vulnerabilities that cannot be mitigated by VA deadlines.

Implement a more effective baseline configuration process to ensure network devices are running authorized software that is configured to approved baselines and free of vulnerabilities.

Confirm with the New Hampshire Disability Determination Service that the actions taken to resolve the 2023 findings will address the 2024 findings.

Rec. 1.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Director, Defense Health Agency, reassess and revise the state prevailing rate methodology within the TRICARE guidance to ensure the development of reasonable state prevailing rates.

Rec. 1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Director, Defense Health Agency, develop and issue guidance to require Health Care Fraud Resolution, or another appropriate office, to review the developed state prevailing rates for reasonableness and consistency on an annual basis.

Rec. 1.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Director, Defense Health Agency, develop and implement an oversight mechanism to ensure that the TRICARE East and West Region contractors take timely and appropriate action to ensure the reasonableness of the new reimbursement rates in accordance with TRICARE Reimbursement Manual, Chapter 1, Addendum E, Controls for Excessive Charges For Professional Services, And Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, And Supplies/Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition (DMEPOS/PEN) Services Without Established Rates.

Rec. 1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) develop and implement procedures to establish In-Service Testing Program standards for all Service members before beginning basic training that are at least as stringent as Enlistment Testing Program standards.

Rec. 1.c: The DoD OIG recommended that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) develop and implement procedures to ensure that the Future Soldier Preparatory Course meets all In-Service Testing Requirements.

Rec. 1.d: The DoD OIG recommended that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) develop and implement procedures to ensure that the applicants entering the Academic Skills Development Program meet the requirement that they not require English language training.

Rec. 1.e: The DoD OIG recommended that the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) develop and implement procedures to ensure higher level oversight of program standards through designating the responsibility of Academic Skills Development Program information management to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).

Verify that Yozmot Atid corrects the two instances of material internal control deficiencies detailed on pages 22-24 of the audit report

Verify that Yozmot Atid corrects the four instances of material noncompliance detailed on pages 30-37 of the audit report

We recommend that FMC:
1. Documents the rationale for using the allocation base and its review of the allocation basis at least every two years and considers:
a. Current operational practices, data, and cost structures;
b. The appropriateness of the user fees base(s);
c. Actual user fees collected versus the actual costs to FMC of collecting the user fees based on available data.

HRK recommends the following:
1. Reviewing and documenting the methodology for calculating indirect costs to ensure all costs are considered;
2. Creating an annual process to analyze the actual user fees collected versus the actual costs to FMC of the user fees services based on available data.

HRK recommends that FMC implement a system to track annual occurrences of each user fee service, recording the hours worked and employees involved in processing them from start to finish. This would provide reliable data for accurate estimations.

We recommend that FMC:
1. Documents its review and rationale for the inclusion and exclusion of offices during its biennial review and considers:
a. Current operational practices, data, and cost structures;
b. The appropriateness of exclusion of offices in the indirect cost calculation.

We recommend that FMC:
1. Use available technology to more effectively capture information to minimize the chance of human error; and
2. Use available technology to link data used in the calculation to reconciled data sources.

We recommend that FMC:
1. Create an overarching policy, following Section 8 of OMB A-25, User Charges, as the overall policy document, to include the following:
a. The policy should address who holds the overall authority over the policy;
b. The policy should establish a working group of all offices involved in the biennial review of the procedures used, including inputs for direct and indirect costs, including collection methods; and
c. The policy should outline the overall approval hierarchy of calculated user fees.

2. Refine the User Fees procedures document to detail the overall processes, procedures, rationale, data inputs/outputs, and…

(U) Rec. A.1.a: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the 5th Air Force direct the Commander of the 374th Airlift Wing to develop and implement a plan for storing hazardous waste in accordance with U.S. Forces Japan guidance when the existing hazardous waste storage facility is full.

(U) Rec. A.1.b: The DoD OIG recommended that the Commander of the 5th Air Force direct the Commanders of the 35th Fighter Wing and the 18th Wing to determine whether the Commands have procedures in place for personnel to follow when the existing hazardous waste storage areas are full. If procedures do not exist, direct the Commanders to develop and implement procedures for storing hazardous waste in accordance with U.S. Forces Japan guidance.

(U) Rec. C.4: This recommendation is Controlled Unclassified Information

1. We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Administration instruct the Director, Performance, Research and National Technical Assistance Division (or designee, including the Interim RLF Coordinator) to review and make a determination regarding the allowability of the $4,020,050 in questioned costs with the respective RLF operators’ loans that were made to ineligible borrowers and not used for their intended purposes.

2. We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Administration instruct the Director, Performance, Research and National Technical Assistance Division (or designee, including the Interim RLF Coordinator), to take appropriate actions for all noncompliances identified, such as suspending or terminating the RLF operator’s grant if not in compliance with federal regulations and their RLF plans.

3. We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Administration instruct the Director, Performance, Research and National Technical Assistance Division (or designee, including the Interim RLF Coordinator), to ensure EDA provides oversight of the RLF operators to ensure loans are made to eligible borrowers and used for their intended purposes.

4. We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Administration instruct the Director, Performance, Research and National Technical Assistance Division (or designee, including the Interim RLF Coordinator), to develop procedures to ensure that the Risk Analysis System identifies areas of concern (such as high delinquent, default, or write off rates) and require that appropriate corrective actions are taken to address these areas of concern.