USDA Compliance With Anti-Gag Provisions

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Date Issued

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Submitting OIG

Department of Agriculture OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Agriculture OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Agriculture

Report Number

50801-0001-23

Report Description

OIG reviewed USDA’s compliance with a specific provision of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012.

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 9 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	Yes	$0	$0
Ensure the responsible office updates 3099-001 to include the required anti-gag provision within the policy.
2	Yes	$0	$0
Agricultural Marketing Service needs to update its NDA form(s) to include the required anti-gag provision.
4	Yes	$0	$0
Agricultural Research Service needs to update its NDA policy to include the required anti-gag provision.
5	Yes	$0	$0
Economic Research Service needs to update its NDA policy to include the required anti-gag provision.
6	Yes	$0	$0
Foreign Agricultural Service needs to review and update active NDAs for current Foreign Agricultural Service federal employees signed after November 27, 2012, to ensure they include the required anti-gag provision.
7	Yes	$0	$0
Food and Nutrition Service needs to update its NDA form(s) to include the required anti-gag provision. Food and Nutrition Service also needs to review and update active NDAs for current Food and Nutrition Service Federal employees signed after November 27, 2012, to ensure they include the required anti-gag provision.
8	Yes	$0	$0
Forest Service needs to update its NDA policies and form(s) to include the required anti-gag provision. Forest Service also needs to review and update active NDAs for current Forest Service Federal employees signed after November 27, 2012, to ensure they include the required anti-gag provision.
9	Yes	$0	$0
National Agricultural Statistics Service needs to update its NDA policy and form(s) to include the required anti-gag provision. National Agricultural Statistics Service also needs to review and update active NDAs for current National Agricultural Statistics Service Federal employees signed after November 27, 2012, to ensure they include the required anti-gag provision.
11	Yes	$0	$0
Office of the Chief Financial Officer needs to update its NDA form(s) to include the required anti-gag provision.