Report Contents
What OIG Audited
In June 2022, 21 governments throughout the Americas, including the United States, signed the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, which focuses on efforts that allow migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and persons in situations of vulnerability to integrate into host countries. In support of these efforts, the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) received more than $100 million in funding for assistance programs in 17 Western Hemisphere countries. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this audit to determine whether selected recipients of PRM cooperative agreement funds supporting stability and assistance efforts in the Western Hemisphere (1) achieved the goal of socioeconomically integrating beneficiaries into their host countries and (2) expended funds in accordance with federal requirements, Department policies and guidance, and award terms and conditions. To perform the audit, OIG reviewed three cooperative agreements related to efforts in Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador.
What OIG Found
OIG determined that the three selected award recipients reviewed for this audit achieved their goal of socioeconomically integrating beneficiaries into host countries. Specifically, OIG verified that all 30 selected beneficiaries tested for this audit received assistance finding employment, starting a business, or strengthening an existing business. However, OIG also found that two of the three award recipients did not always meet reporting requirements and one of those also did not report accurate information. Consequently, OIG could not confirm the extent to which these award recipients achieved intended results for some performance indicators specified in the awards. Furthermore, OIG found that PRM’s oversight efforts generally fulfilled the awards’ substantial involvement requirements; however, one award recipient submitted an incomplete final performance progress report, and when PRM used an Artificial Intelligence tool to summarize the recipient’s performance achievements, the resulting Artificial Intelligence summary was also incomplete. As a result, PRM did not fully determine whether the recipient successfully met all objectives specified in the award. With respect to the expenditure of funds, OIG tested 114 expenditures, valued at $238,795, and found that the selected award recipients generally expended funds in accordance with requirements. However, OIG identified three expenditures (3 percent), valued at $5,154, that were unallowable ($2,830) or unsupported ($2,324). OIG also found that one award recipient claimed an indirect cost reimbursement that was higher than allowed ($36,891) and lacked internal controls related to the provision of temporary housing for beneficiaries ($108,000). As a result, OIG is questioning an additional $144,891 in costs. Furthermore, OIG found that PRM did not ensure that this award recipient met the single or program-specific audit requirement, which is necessary to validate that the award recipient complied with internal controls requirements.
What OIG Recommends
OIG offered eight recommendations to address the deficiencies identified in this report and to determine the allowability of costs OIG is questioning. Based on PRM’s response to a draft of this report, OIG considers all eight recommendations resolved, pending further action. A synopsis of PRM’s comments to the recommendation offered and OIG’s reply follow each recommendation in the Audit Results section of this report. PRM’s response to a draft of this report is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration develop and implement internal controls to ensure that performance progress reports are complete before finalizing an award’s monitoring plan and report.
OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration develop and implement oversight and governance processes for the use of Artificial Intelligence for reviewing awards’ performance reports.
OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $400 in questioned costs related to HIAS Inc.’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0242) for a meal that was contractually required to include wine are allowable and (b) recover any costs determined to be unallowable.
OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $2,324 in questioned costs related to Fondazione Associazione Volontari Per Servizio Internazionale’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0207) for a contracted social worker are supported and (b) recover any costs determined to be unsupported.
OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $2,430 in questioned costs related to Pan American Development Foundation Inc.’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0344) for clothing are allowable and (b) recover any costs determined to be unallowable.
OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine the correct Modified Total Direct Cost and associated indirect cost reimbursement related to Fondazione Associazione Volontari Per Servizio Internazionale’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0207) and (b) recover any costs (at least $36,891) determined to be in excess of what is allowable.
OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $108,000 in unsupported costs related to Fondazione Associazione Volontari Per Servizio Internazionale’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO23CA0207) for beneficiary housing are supported and (b) recover any costs determined to be unsupported.
OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration develop and implement internal controls to ensure that non-federal entities meet the single or program-specific audit requirement before receiving an award.