OIG Finds Some Progress at State Department in Management of IT Investments
OIG found that IRM took some actions to address four open recommendations, but further improvements are needed to fully address the 2016 audit findings. Keep Reading
GAO Estimates Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund Catch-Up Payments
The U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund was established in 2015 to compensate people injured in acts of international state-sponsored terrorism. It allocated about $3.3 billion in payments across three rounds—in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Keep Reading
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GAO: NNSA Should Improve Management of Lithium Activities
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has facilities to process lithium—a key material in nuclear weapons. However, these facilities have deteriorated and NNSA has proposed a new facility to meet the demand for lithium. Keep Reading
OIG Finds TSA Did Not Assess Explosives Detection Canine Team Program for Surface Transportation Security
OIG reports that TSA has developed a deployment strategy based on risk for its explosives detection canine teams to airports, however there is no such strategy for surface transportation. Keep Reading
OIG: CBP Must Improve Aviation Fleet Acquisition Management
A new report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) says continued oversight and effective guidance is required to prevent aviation acquisitions taking longer to deliver, at a greater cost, and without needed capabilities. Keep Reading
GAO Slams DHS for Failing to Recognize Deteriorating Threat Environment that Led to Capitol Attack
The Department of Homeland Security has been condemned by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for its inflexibility and failure to designate January 6, 2021 as a special event. Keep Reading
Latest from HS Today
DoD Should Address Weaknesses in Contractors’ Oversight of Human Trafficking, GAO Says
For overseas missions, Defense contractors rely on foreign workers for services like construction and security. Some workers have alleged labor abuses, like wage withholding, despite the government's zero-tolerance policy on forced labor and human trafficking. Keep Reading
GAO: COVID-19 Response Revealed Opportunities to Strengthen Biodefense Preparedness
The Government Accountability Office found agencies don't routinely work together to monitor exercise results to identify potential patterns of problems. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
OIG: COVID-19 Support Presents Oversight Challenges for Transportation
COVID-19 has impacted the U.S. transportation industry in myriad ways, and DOT agencies have moved quickly to release the over $106 billion that Congress provided to help workers, families, and businesses deal with the pandemic. Keep Reading
OIG Audit Finds Security Risks Remain for FAA Information Systems
FAA ATO sets categorization levels of low, moderate and high, based on how much of an impact a security breach of an information system would cause a “loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability.” Keep Reading
CBP Must Improve Processes to Identify and Care for Migrants in Need of Medical Attention, OIG Says
Weaknesses in Customs and Border Protection policies, procedures, and oversight -- along with training gaps -- have left agents and officers challenged in spotting detainees who could be having medical emergencies and ensuring they receive needed care, according to an oversight report. Keep Reading
Bipartisan Report Shows Federal Agencies’ Cybersecurity Failures Leaving Americans’ Personal Information at Risk
Since the 2019 Portman-Carper report evaluating the same eight agencies, only the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established an effective information security program. Keep Reading
OIG’s Audit of DHS S&T Bankcard Program Indicates Risks
OIG found that while S&T had internal controls in place to ensure it managed and maintained its Bankcard Program as required, it did not always adhere to DHS and internal purchase card policies and procedures. Keep Reading
GAO Finds Cargo Screening Weaknesses as TSA Plans Covert Testing at Foreign Airports
The threat of explosives reaching the United States via air cargo is significant. Terrorists have attempted to use air cargo shipments to smuggle concealed explosives into the United States previously, and will continue to do so. Keep Reading
GAO: Congress Should Consider Updating Flood Insurance Purchase Requirement
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program requires homeowners with federally regulated mortgages to purchase flood insurance for properties located in high-risk areas. But some of FEMA's floodplain maps delineating those areas are outdated. Keep Reading
GAO Finds in COVID-19 Contracting Opportunities to Improve Practices to Assess Prospective Vendors
Contracting during an emergency can be challenging. For example, contracting officers had to buy things that their agencies don't usually buy, and faced pressure to award contracts quickly. Keep Reading
Contractor Paid Leave Reimbursements Could Provide Lessons Learned for Future Emergency Responses
The Departments of Defense, Energy, and Homeland Security, and NASA reported bills totaling $883 million for paid leave costs incurred by contractors. These agencies implemented policies and tracked reimbursements in different ways. Keep Reading
Survey Data Identify Opportunities to Strengthen Capacity Across Federal Agencies
GAO surveyed about 4,000 federal managers in 2020, and nearly all respondents said they had at least one type of evidence available for their programs. However, many fewer reported that their agencies had sufficient capacity (e.g., staff with skills) to develop and use evidence. Keep Reading
Senior Leaders Should Use Leading Companies’ Key Practices to Improve Federal Contracting Performance, Says GAO
The government buys a huge range of products and services, from military aircraft to common office supplies. The Government Accountability Office looked at how 7 leading companies manage procurement, and whether the federal government follows similar practices. Keep Reading
OIG Says CBP Has Placed Travelers’ PII at Risk of Exploitation
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has found that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not always protect traveler data from cybersecurity risks, despite a responsibility to do so. Keep Reading