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Recommendations

Department of State

444

Open Unclassified Recommendations¹

$15,045,004

Open Unclassified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits¹

134

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations²

$0

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits²

416

Open Classified Recommendations³

$218,173,822

Open Classified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits³

U.S. Agency for Global Media

0

Open Unclassified Recommendations¹

$0

Open Unclassified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits¹

36

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations²

$0

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits²

0

Open Classified Recommendations³

$0

Open Classified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits³
Department recommendations include 49 recommendations that are associated with the International Boundary Water Commission.
 
recommendation icon
Compliance Follow-Up Review of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program
AUD-MERO-23-01
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Unit, the National Visa Center, and data scientists, revise the Standard Operating Procedures for Quarterly Congressional Reports to include specific steps and procedures for calculating and reporting average processing times for Department of State-controlled stages of the Afghan SIV application process so that reported data reflect the actual average processing times.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official, in coordination with the National Visa Center and the Afghan SIV Unit, design and implement control activities in accordance with the Government Accountability Office’s Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government to monitor, verify, and validate the accuracy and completeness of the Department of State-controlled data used to generate the average processing time reported in the Afghan SIV quarterly reports.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs, design and implement control activities in accordance with the Government Accountability Office’s Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government to verify and validate the accuracy and completeness of the information obtained from the entities involved with processing Afghan SIV applications.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Open Resolved

    OIG recommends the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official (SCO) develop and implement a policy and procedures to establish ongoing interagency coordination with all designated SCOs until the Afghan SIV program concludes.

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official (SCO) develop and implement a policy and procedures to monitor the implementation of improvements to address known challenges within the Afghan SIV program.

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Open Resolved

    OIG recommends the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official (SCO) develop and implement an updated staffing plan to adjust resources for all Department of State offices involved with the Afghan SIV program to reduce the current Afghan SIV application backlog.

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Open Resolved

    OIG recommends the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official develop a process and procedures to monitor the implementation, effectiveness, and efficiency of the staffing plan for all Department offices involved in the Afghan SIV program to reduce the current Afghan SIV application backlog.

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Open Resolved

    OIG recommends that the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official (SCO), in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD) SCO, establish a memorandum of understanding between the Department of State (Department) SCO and the DoD SCO defining the roles and responsibilities of the Department and DoD for efficiently and accurately collecting employment documentation of Afghan SIV applicants who worked for DoD contractors. The Department and DoD SCOs should also meet regularly to address efficient employment verification until the Department resolves the backlog of Afghan SIV applications.

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs, review obstacles to timely Afghan SIV processing at each phase of the process and present a list of requirements to the Office of Consular Systems and Technology to optimize SIV systems through Consular Systems Modernization or within legacy systems.

recommendation icon
Targeted Inspection of the U.S. Agency for Global Media: Editorial Independence and Journalistic Standards and Principles
ISP-IB-23-01
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    The U.S. Agency for Global Media should update its firewall guidance and procedures and disseminate the updates to agency and network staff.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    The Office of Cuba Broadcasting should implement a strategic communication plan that conveys journalistic standards objectives and priorities to staff.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    The Office of Cuba Broadcasting should create written policies or procedures that define the editorial review process to ensure that all content is reviewed before broadcast.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented

    The Office of Cuba Broadcasting should develop and disseminate to staff written procedures governing how journalistic standards lapses will be addressed, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the various personnel and offices involved.

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented

    Voice of America should require all language services to complete the annual program reviews according to network and U.S. Agency for Global Media policies.

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented

    Voice of America should develop and distribute to staff a written action plan for each annual program review, to include how action items will be implemented and enforced.

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Closed Implemented

    Voice of America should develop and disseminate to staff, including through training, written procedures governing how journalistic standards lapses will be addressed, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the various personnel and offices involved.

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Closed Implemented

    Voice of America should clarify the roles and authorities of the Standards Editor in implementing standards-related guidance for all staff.

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Closed Implemented

    The U.S. Agency for Global Media should offer the Office of Cuba Broadcasting a Spanish-language option for training on journalistic standards and principles.

recommendation icon
Evaluation of the Department of State’s Compliance with the Authorities Act
ESP-22-04
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    The Under Secretary for Management should develop standard guidance for all reporting entities, clarifying which allegations the Department should report to OIG under the Authorities Act and defining the terms “serious misconduct” and “head of the Department entity,” and include affected stakeholders in the development of the guidance.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    The Under Secretary for Management should develop a standard approach to tracking reporting dates to ensure compliance with the law and update internal guidance accordingly.

recommendation icon
Audit of Nonexpendable Personal Property at U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq
AUD-MERO-22-44
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, establish, implement, document, and communicate, to those conducting the annual physical inventory, a policy and procedures to ensure that the annual physical inventory includes all accountable property at the embassy, as required by 14 Foreign Affairs Manual 416.1.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration reconcile differences between the definitions for accountable property contained in the Integrated Logistics Management System – Annual Inventory Modernization module and 14 Foreign Affairs Manual 416.1 and communicate to overseas posts what property should be included in posts’ annual inventories.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, develop, implement, document, and communicate a policy and procedures requiring Accountable Property Officers to conduct periodic physical inventory spot checks of nonexpendable property.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, develop, implement, document, and communicate a policy and procedures to secure the keys and limit access to the destruction yard holding area at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center to only those people who need access to the area.

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, develop, implement, document, and communicate a policy and procedures requiring that, upon receipt, all (a) nonexpendable property is promptly inspected, documented, and affixed with a barcode label and (b) identifying information is added into the Integrated Logistics Management System – Asset Management module in a timely manner.

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, take actions to ensure that all existing property in storage facilities has been (a) affixed with a barcode label and (b) added into the Integrated Logistics Management System – Asset Management module.

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration conduct a review of the integration of the Integrated Logistics Management System – Asset Management and the Computerized Maintenance Management System to ensure that all updated information is being communicated between systems.

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, develop, implement, document, and communicate a policy and procedures to designate sufficient staff with access to the Integrated Logistics Management System to maintain continuous property management operations in each office responsible for managing nonexpendable property.

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Closed Implemented $12,900,000 Significant

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, determine (a) how much of the nonexpendable property associated with the 24 residential purchase orders made from 2010 to 2021 was used, how much remains in storage, and how much has been disposed of, along with the reasons for disposal, and (b) whether the questioned costs of $12.9 million expended for their purchase were necessary and reasonable.

  10. Recommendation Number
    10
    Closed Implemented $7,600,000 Significant

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, determine (a) how many of the 15,785 nonexpendable property assets, valued at $7.6 million, were used, how many remain in storage, and how many have been disposed of, along with the reasons for disposal, and (b) whether maintaining these 15,785 assets in storage is necessary and reasonable.

  11. Recommendation Number
    11
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, develop, implement, document, and communicate a policy and procedures, consistent with 14 Foreign Affairs Manual 412, to require that personnel responsible for purchasing clearly demonstrate a bona fide need supporting the purchase of nonexpendable property.

  12. Recommendation Number
    12
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, develop, implement, document, and communicate a policy and procedures for nonexpendable property reordering, consistent with 14 Foreign Affairs Handbook-1 H-419.1(a) that prevents the embassy from carrying an excessive amount of nonexpendable property, establishes a reasonable stocking level, and limits replenishment orders to only maintain that level.

  13. Recommendation Number
    13
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, develop, implement, document, and communicate a policy and procedures to require the use of the Integrated Logistics Management System – Analytics module to manage and utilize existing nonexpendable property at post and to properly plan the procurement of nonexpendable property that the embassy needs.

  14. Recommendation Number
    14
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, develop, implement, document, and communicate a policy and procedures to provide information and periodic training to U.S. Embassy Baghdad staff who manage nonexpendable property on the capabilities and proper use of the Integrated Logistics Management System – Analytics module to ensure that the embassy efficiently manages and utilizes existing nonexpendable property at post and properly procures nonexpendable property that the embassy needs.

recommendation icon
(U) Management Assistance Report: Department of State Process To Authorize Information Systems To Operate Requires Additional Attention
AUD-IT-22-42
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented Significant

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented Significant

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  10. Recommendation Number
    10
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

recommendation icon
(U) Audit of the Department of State FY 2022 Information Security Program
AUD-IT-22-43
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed New Report

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

recommendation icon
Inspection of the Global Engagement Center
ISP-I-22-15
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Acceptable Alternative

    The Global Engagement Center, in coordination with the Bureau of Global Talent Management, should conduct an organizational assessment and align the center’s organizational structure with operational needs.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should clarify and codify the roles and responsibilities of the Policy, Plans, and Operations Division and the Interagency and International Coordination Cell in the Foreign Affairs Manual.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should approve a plan to implement its Functional Bureau Strategy, update its major programs to include key priorities, and assess its execution by conducting regular reviews with its staff, in accordance with Department standards.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should appoint an evaluation coordinator with decision-making authority to conduct evaluations appropriate to its portfolio, in accordance with Department standards.

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should review risks to its strategic objectives, implement processes for identifying and responding to risk, and communicate risk response guidance to staff in accordance with Department standards.

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should comply with federal and Department standards with respect to pre-award design and approval processes for its federal assistance programs.

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should complete the closeout process for awards currently overdue and implement procedures for the timely close out of future awards.

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should develop and implement standard operating procedures for overseas award programs that include requirements for reporting on monitoring and evaluation data.

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Closed Not Implemented $745,000

    The Global Engagement Center should review and de-obligate all invalid unliquidated obligations without activity for more than 1 year, in accordance with Department guidance, so that funds of up to $745,000 can be put to better use.

  10. Recommendation Number
    10
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should comply with Department contracting officer’s representative program standards.

  11. Recommendation Number
    11
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should comply with mandatory leadership training requirements in accordance with Department standards.

  12. Recommendation Number
    12
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should conduct risk assessments and obtain authorizations to operate for its analytics platforms from the Bureau of Information Resource Management.

  13. Recommendation Number
    13
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should use domain names for the Global Engagement Center’s analytics platforms that comply with Department standards.

  14. Recommendation Number
    14
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center, in coordination with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, should require the Information Systems Security Officers for the Global Engagement Center analytics platforms to perform their duties in accordance with Department guidance.

  15. Recommendation Number
    15
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should implement procedures to ensure all aspects of its analytics platforms’ systems documents are completed and current, in accordance with Department standards.

  16. Recommendation Number
    16
    Closed Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center, in coordination with the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, should conduct a cost-benefit analysis for its analytics support program.

  17. Recommendation Number
    17
    Closed Not Implemented

    The Global Engagement Center should develop and implement a project plan for replacing the Disinformation Cloud website.

  18. Recommendation Number
    18
    Closed Acceptable Alternative

    The Global Engagement Center should implement a records management program that complies with Department standards.

recommendation icon
Audit of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Oversight of Contractor Performance and Invoice Processing for the Domestic Guard Services Contract
AUD-SI-22-37
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security revise the bureau-specific procedures implemented in January 2022 to include the specific processes that its Government Technical Monitors should use to monitor and document contractor performance to ensure compliance with the contract terms and conditions.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security revise the bureau-specific procedures implemented in January 2022 by detailing the specific processes that its Contracting Officer’s Representatives should use to (a) obtain and verify that supporting documentation submitted with an invoice is accurate and complete and (b) document the invoice review to demonstrate that costs and supporting documentation were verified.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security revise the bureau-specific procedures implemented in January 2022 by including a requirement for its Contracting Officer’s Representatives (COR) to use the “GTM Tracker” tool to track personnel delegated to assist the COR.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Acceptable Alternative $361,627,297 Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (a) determine whether the $361,627,297 in questioned costs spent on Contract 19AQMM19C0007 are supported and allowable and (b) recover any costs determined to be unsupported and unallowable.

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security inspect the body armor items acquired for use under Contract 19AQMM19C0007 to determine whether they are of sufficient quality.

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security dispose of and replace, as appropriate, all body armor items acquired under Contract 19AQMM19C0007 determined during the inspection conducted in response to Recommendation 5 to be of insufficient quality.

recommendation icon
(U) Audit of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, U.S. Section, FY 2022 Information Security Program
AUD-IT-22-40
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed New Report

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

recommendation icon
(U) Audit of the U.S. Agency for Global Media FY 2022 Information Security Program
AUD-IT-IB-22-41
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed New Report

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

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7467 recommendations in total

Last Updated:

Note: The information includes all open recommendations from reports that were issued October 1, 2014. Potential Monetary Benefits values are as stated in reports—subsequent Department and USAGM management decisions and actions may result in different values.

  1. Includes unclassified recommendations in unclassified reports; also includes unclassified recommendations in SBU reports that are publicly available.
  2. Includes SBU recommendations in SBU reports; also includes unclassified recommendations in SBU reports that are not publicly available.
  3. Includes classified recommendations in classified reports; also includes unclassified recommendations in classified reports.

Read more about report definitions.

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