Inspection of the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance should formalize its strategic planning process to include establishing a strategic planning unit with responsibility for setting priorities that reports to the Assistant Secretary, identifying emerging issues, and recommending appropriate deployment of the bureau’s resources.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance, in coordination with the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, should develop a policy paper, cleared at the deputy assistant secretary level, outlining the policy parameters of bureau activities involving the Biological Weapons Convention.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance should develop and implement a plan to strengthen its capacity to lead on emerging and regional arms control, strategic stability, extended deterrence, transparency, and compliance challenges in East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance should issue formal guidance on the preparation of the Annual Compliance Report to bureau drafters and editors that incorporates best practices in report production.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance, in coordination with the Bureau of Human Resources, should complete an organizational assessment of the Nuclear Risk Reduction Center, with the objective of implementing the appropriate supervisor-to-employee ratio for the office.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance should complete an internal review, culminating in a written report, of leave and time and attendance records for the Nuclear Risk Reduction Center office for the period from March 2013 through March 2014 and take corrective action, if warranted.

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should establish a fully operational alternate work site for the Nuclear Risk Reduction Center’s government-to government communications links.

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should document and annually test a contingency plan for its government-to-government communications links.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance, in coordination with the Bureau of Information Resource Management, should prepare a memorandum of understanding on support to the Nuclear Risk Reduction Center network.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should institute acquisition planning procedures to provide for full and open competition to the maximum extent practicable for External Research Board-funded projects.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance, in coordination with the Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, should create a comprehensive, multiyear workforce development plan.

The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance, in coordination with the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and the Bureau of Human Resources, should create or convert mid-level positions at the bureau’s overseas delegations and missions for Civil Service employees.