Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, policy and program implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Buenos Aires.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 18 recommendations: 17 to Embassy Buenos Aires and 1 to the Bureau of Information Resource Management. In its comments on the draft report, the Department concurred with 17 recommendations and did not fully concur with 1 recommendation. OIG considers all 18 recommendations resolved. The Department’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The Department’s formal responses are reprinted in their entirety in Appendix B.
What OIG Found
- The Ambassador and the Deputy Chief of Mission led Embassy Buenos Aires in a professional and collaborative manner. They communicated clearly with embassy staff and emphasized diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles.
- Aspects of internal control, safety, and security did not meet Department of State requirements and needed attention from embassy leadership.
- The embassy’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was consistent with Department risk management standards.
- The embassy’s deletion of nonimmigrant visa records did not adhere to Department standards.
- The embassy’s fire protection program did not meet Department standards, and the embassy did not take steps to mitigate risks at the chancery. The embassy also did not mitigate fire risks in its high-rise residences.
- The embassy did not comply with Department standards regarding motor vehicle or driver safety standards.
- The embassy’s information technology infrastructure did not meet Department physical security and installation standards.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Buenos Aires should conduct joint evaluation reviews with the government of Argentina for Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs-funded assistance.
Embassy Buenos Aires, in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, should develop and present options for Binational Fulbright Commission review to address reasonable balance between Argentine and U.S. Fulbright Educational Exchange participation.
Embassy Buenos Aires should delete nonimmigrant visa case records in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires should oversee nonimmigrant visa operations in the two consular outbuildings in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should mitigate the fire and life-safety risks of its high-rise residential properties that do not comply with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires should complete and document safety certifications for all embassy properties in the Post Occupational Health and Safety Officer Certification Application and correct any identified safety issue prior to occupancy, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires should obtain authorization from the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations to use shipping containers for permanent storage and office space or dismantle and remove them in accordance with Department requirements.
Embassy Buenos Aires should comply with all Department overseas motor vehicle safety standards for chauffeurs and incidental drivers under chief of mission authority.
Embassy Buenos Aires should enforce driver duty limits for all embassy drivers in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Buenos Aires, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should dispose of excess vehicles according to Department guidelines.
Embassy Buenos Aires should separate property management responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires, in coordination with the Bureau of Global Talent Management, should document an exception to Department guidance or process its mutual separation agreements in accordance with Department requirements.
The Bureau of Information Resource Management, in coordination with Embassy Buenos Aires, should configure SharePoint permissions to comply with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires should require information systems security officers to perform their duties in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires, in coordination with the Bureaus of Western Hemisphere Affairs and Information Resource Management, should remediate the network cabling infrastructure to comply with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires, in coordination with the Bureaus of Western Hemisphere Affairs and Overseas Buildings Operations, should relocate the telecommunications demarcation points outside limited access area communications rooms in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Buenos Aires should implement a records management program in accordance with Department standards.