The U.S. Department of the Interior Did Not Always Appropriately Classify and Approve Information Technology Purchases

Title Full

Date Issued

Monday, September 22, 2025

Submitting OIG

Department of the Interior OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of the Interior

Components

Office of the Chief Information Officer

Report Number

2024-ISP-031

Report Description

We found that nearly $40 million in IT-related purchase requests were incorrectly classified and did not receive appropriate IT approval as required.

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

Open Recommendations

This report has 4 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
2024-ISP-031-01	Yes	$0	$0
We recommend that OCIO assess and update its IT-related user product code list to streamline the selection process for Financial and Business Management System users.
2024-ISP-031-02	No	$0	$0
We recommend that OCIO develop a user product code guide with examples of IT-related purchases for which these codes may be used.
2024-ISP-031-03	No	$0	$0
We recommend that OCIO develop and provide training to purchase request creators and approvers on how to identify the appropriate user product codes for IT-related purchase requests.
2024-ISP-031-04	No	$0	$0
We recommend that OCIO require all affected bureaus and offices to develop a review process to examine their purchase requests originally classified as "other" and reclassify any purchases with an appropriate IT user product code as necessary.