Report Contents
(U) What OIG Inspected
(U) OIG inspected the executive direction, program and policy implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Santiago.
(U) What OIG Recommends
(U) OIG made 14 recommendations to Embassy Santiago. (U) In its comments on the draft report, Embassy Santiago concurred with all 14 recommendations. OIG considers all 14 recommendations resolved. The embassy’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The embassy’s formal response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
(U) What OIG Found
- (U) Embassy Santiago’s Chargé d'Affaires and acting Deputy Chief of Mission set a positive leadership climate, modeling integrity, openness, and concern for embassy staff.
- (U) The embassy implemented restrictions to maintain the health and safety of personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- (U) Embassy Santiago did not exercise adequate financial oversight of the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Chile.
- (U) The embassy did not conduct seismic safety assessments for all residences, as required by Department of State standards.
- (U) Embassy Santiago’s contracting officer’s representative program did not comply with Department standards.
- (U) The embassy’s information systems security officers failed to perform all required information systems security duties.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Santiago, in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, should develop and implement a plan to provide full financial oversight over the binational Fulbright Commission.
Embassy Santiago, in coordination with the Bureaus of Overseas Buildings Operations and Consular Affairs, should provide a wheelchair accessible interview window for consular applicants, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santiago should develop and implement a fraud prevention strategy in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santiago should complete and document safety certifications for all embassy residences in the Post Occupational Safety and Health Officer Certification Application, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santiago, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should perform seismic evaluations of its residential properties in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santiago should dismantle and remove its shipping containers and portable structures in accordance with Department requirements or obtain authorization from the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations to use the shipping containers as permanent storage.
Embassy Santiago should comply with all Department Overseas Motor Vehicle Safety standards for chauffeurs and incidental drivers under chief of mission authority.
Embassy Santiago should bring its contracting officer’s representative program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Santiago should close out procurement files in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santiago should manage its bulk fuel operation in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santiago should conduct and submit an annual housing market survey in accordance with Department requirements.
Embassy Santiago should submit its hotel and restaurant reports to the Bureau of Administration’s Office of Allowances, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santiago should complete all information systems security officer responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Santiago should retire records in accordance with Department records management standards.