Recommendations

Department of State

444

Open Unclassified Recommendations¹

134

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations²

416

Open Classified Recommendations³

U.S. Agency for Global Media

0

Open Unclassified Recommendations¹

36

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations²

0

Open Classified Recommendations³

Department recommendations include 49 recommendations that are associated with the International Boundary Water Commission.

Keyword or Phrase

Action Office

Status

Financial Value

Significant

Issued Date (From)

Issued Date (To)

Reports Per Page

Audit of the Bureau of Global Talent Management, Office of Talent Services, Fulfillment of Service-Level Agreement Requirements

AUD-CGI-21-36 July 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Global Talent Management develop and implement an action plan for achieving the goals, objectives, and milestones/timeframes in the client bureau service-level agreements for completing position description classification actions within 20 business days and recruitment actions within 80 days, as prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Global Talent Management develop a contingency action plan that could be enacted quickly to optimize caseload management and facilitate operational continuity of human resources services during challenging periods, such as when a surge of hiring requests is received.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Global Talent Management develop and implement an action plan to maintain appropriate staffing levels, retain the continuity of needed skills and abilities to perform human resources services, and establish succession and contingency plans for key positions to sustain defined levels of performance and to help recruit, classify, and fill mission-critical positions within the Department.

Management Assistance Report: Financial Monitoring of Foreign Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements in Somalia Needs Improvement

AUD-MERO-21-35 July 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Not Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, in conjunction with the Bureau of African Affairs, develop and implement a process to ensure that the United Nations Office of Project Services submit all required quarterly Federal Financial Reports in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Not Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, in conjunction with the Bureau of Counterterrorism, develop and implement a process to ensure that Valar and the International Development Law Organization submit all required quarterly Federal Financial Reports in accordance with the terms and conditions of the awards.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Not Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, in coordination with the Bureau of African Affairs, develop and implement a process that ensures the Grants Officer and Grants Officer Representative for the Stipends Support for the Somali National Army award (SLMAQM18GR2254) review the Federal Financial Reports and document the review in the award file within 30 days of receipt, as required by the Federal Assistance Directive.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Not Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, in coordination with the Bureau of Counterterrorism, develop and implement a process that ensures the Grants Officer and Grants Officer Representative for the Somali Law Enforcement: Local Policing and Protection award (SLMAQM18CA2066) and the Building an Effective, Fit-for-Purpose Financial Reporting Centre in Somalia award (SLMAQM17CA2025) review the Federal Financial Reports and document the review in the award file within 30 days of receipt, as required by the Federal Assistance Directive.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented $9,765

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, in coordination with the Bureau of African Affairs (a) determine the allowability of the $9,765 in questioned cost (consisting of $8,440 of unsupported travel costs and $1,325 of unsupported lodging costs as detailed in Table 3) incurred by Bancroft Global Development under the Mentorship and Training for the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia award (SLMAQM17CA1018) and (b) recover all costs determined to be unsupported.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented $311,834

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, in coordination with the Bureau of African Affairs (a) determine the allowability of the $311,834 in questioned costs (consisting of $22,511 in unallowable prepaid calling cards, $4,983 in unallowable interpreter fees, $92,600 in unallowable fuel, $176,268 in unallowable meals and $15,472 in unallowable other costs as detailed in Table 3) incurred by Bancroft Global Development under the Mentorship and Training for the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia award (SLMAQM17CA1018) and (b) recover all costs determined to be unallowable.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented $3,776,500

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, in coordination with the Bureau of African Affairs and the Officer of Federal Assistance Financial Management (a) determine whether the $3,776,500 that Bancroft Global Development spent on incentive compensation payments from the Mentorship and Training for the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia award (SLMAQM17CA1018) were allowable and (b) recover all costs determined to be unallowable.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, in coordination with the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, update the Foreign Assistance Directive, Chapter 1, “General,” D. “Roles and Responsibilities” to clarify the Office of Federal Assistance Financial Management role in the financial monitoring process as it relates to Grants Officer and Grants Officer Representative responsibilities.

Inspection of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of 1CA: Leadership, Management, and Innovation

ISP-I-21-28 July 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Consular Affairs should implement programs to increase awareness and use of 1CA programs and resources among domestic employees.

Inspection of the Bureau of Information Resource Management’s Office of Consolidated Customer Support

ISP-I-21-19 July 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should review and update the Enterprise IT Help Desk and Desktop Support Master Service Level Agreement to align with the current Bureau of Information Resource Management service catalog.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should define out-of-scope services in the Enterprise IT Help Desk and Desktop Support Master Service Level Agreement.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should update the Enterprise IT Help Desk and Desktop Support Master Service Level Agreement to include the methodology for calculating the incident resolution time.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should update the Enterprise IT Help Desk and Desktop Support Master Service Level Agreement to reflect the current technology modernization policy.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should review its technology modernization purchasing policies and determine if the Enterprise IT Help Desk and Desktop Support Master Service Level Agreement requires updates to these policies based on its review.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should establish a process to update operational level agreements when a new service is added to the bureau’s service catalog or an existing service is modified in a way that affects documented service targets.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should establish and implement procedures that comply with the Department’s separation of duties requirement for the receipt, storage, or disposition of expendable and nonexpendable property in the Office of Consolidated Customer Support.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should conduct semiannual customer feedback surveys in accordance with the Enterprise IT Help Desk and Desktop Support Master Service Level Agreement.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management should establish a communication forum for regular communication and interaction with its customers.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration should, upon completion of the comprehensive cost model study, adjust the Office of Consolidated Customer Support’s desktop service fee, if necessary, and publish a pricing schedule for all customers.

Review of the Bureau of Global Talent Management, Office of the Executive Director, Office of Technology Services’ Information System Processes

ISP-I-21-29 July 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management, in coordination with the Bureau of Information Resource Management, should complete the assessment and authorization process for the Office of Technology Services’ information systems with expired authorizations to operate.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management should implement a process to conduct system authorizations for the Office of Technology Services’ information systems prior to the expiration of the systems’ authorizations to operate.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management should implement a process to submit notifications of change for the Integrated Personnel Management System subsystems not included in the current authorization to operate, in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management should regularly review and update iMatrix to accurately reflect the status of Office of Technology Services’ information systems.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management should perform annual security controls assessments for Office of Technology Services’ information systems.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management should document management approvals for all Office of Technology Services’ information systems throughout the systems development lifecycle process in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management should define the central location to maintain project documentation for the Office of Technology Services’ systems development lifecycle projects.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should update the Office of Technology Services’ contract management files to include contracting officer’s representative designation letters in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management, in coordination with the Bureau of Information Resource Management, should formally designate a direct-hire employee as the information systems security officer in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Global Talent Management should assign direct-hire employees to positions with inherently governmental functions for the Office of Technology Services, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation standards.

Inspection of the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, Office of Acquisitions Management, International Programs Division’s Grants Branch

ISP-I-21-26 July 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Administration should clarify grants officers’ responsibilities related to post-award management of Federal assistance awards and implement a process to assess grants officers’ completion of the required tasks.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Administration should develop customer service standards for the Grants Branch, communicate them to customers, and implement internal controls to monitor the consistency and quality of service provided to customers.

Audit of Foreign Per Diem Rates Established by the Department of State

AUD-FM-21-31 June 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration review its “Per Diem for Foreign Locations Standard Operating Procedures” for sufficiency and update the guidance as needed. As part of this effort, the Bureau of Administration should require the consistent application of the established methodology and should eliminate the contradictory guidance related to the calculation of the breakfast portion of the foreign per diem rate.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration formalize key requirements related to the foreign per diem rate-setting process in the Department of State Standardized Regulations, including information to be submitted by posts and how posts should collect the required data.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and implement (a) formal guidance related to which locations to designate to have automatic updates to their foreign per diem rates based on fluctuations in exchange rates and (b) a methodology for conducting periodic assessments of exchange rate adjusted locations, adding or deleting designations in accordance with the guidance.
Recommendation Number

4

Open Resolved

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration review and update all foreign per diem locations designated in eAllowances as exchange rate adjusted in accordance with the guidance developed in response to Recommendation 3.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented Significant

Until Recommendations 11 and 12 are implemented, OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and institute a process to ensure that posts submit hotel and restaurant data for foreign per diem rate calculations on a biennial basis, as required by Department of State Standardized Regulations § 074.2.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented Significant

Once Recommendations 11 and 12 are implemented, for locations where independent economic data are unavailable, OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and institute a process to ensure that posts submit hotel and restaurant data for foreign per diem rate calculations on a biennial basis, as required by Department of State Standardized Regulations § 074.2.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and implement internal controls to verify that managers validate the procedures and justifications used to support the recommended foreign per diem rate changes prior to final approval.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration incorporate in the Foreign Affairs Manual or the Foreign Affairs Handbook record retention requirements for foreign per diem rate-setting supporting documentation.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and implement (a) a policy requiring periodic assessments of the need for foreign per diem rates for multiple locations within one country and (b) a methodology for conducting the periodic assessments. The assessment policy and methodology should take other U.S. Government agency needs and interests into consideration.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and implement a process to consolidate the number of foreign per diem rate locations in a country based on the assessments and methodology developed in response to Recommendation 9.
Recommendation Number

11

Open Resolved

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration review its methodology for determining foreign per diem rates to identify opportunities to streamline the process. At a minimum, the Bureau of Administration should consider whether the use of independent economic data would be more efficient and cost-effective for establishing foreign per diem rates.
Recommendation Number

12

Open Resolved

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and implement a plan to revise the methodology for determining foreign per diem rates based on the results of Recommendation 11.
Recommendation Number

13

Open Resolved Significant

After implementing Recommendation 12, OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration recalculate the foreign per diem rates for the locations based on the revised methodology.
Recommendation Number

14

Open Resolved Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration complete its efforts to upgrade and update its eAllowances application. As part of this effort, the Bureau of Administration should ensure that posts are able to upload supporting documentation, such as reservation logs, into the application.

Inspection of the Office of Global Criminal Justice

ISP-I-21-27 June 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

The Office of Global Criminal Justice should develop and implement a strategic plan in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

The Office of Global Criminal Justice, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration and the Bureau of Global Talent Management, should submit a functional statement delineating its roles and responsibilities for inclusion in the Foreign Affairs Manual, in accordance with Department guidance.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

The Office of Global Criminal Justice should bring the War Crimes Rewards Program into compliance with Department program design standards.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

The Office of Global Criminal Justice should comply with Department standards for management of its Federal assistance awards.

Management Assistance Report: Department Can Take Further Steps to Improve Executive Direction of Overseas Missions

ISP-21-14 June 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented Significant

The Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Global Talent should institute annual surveys of U.S. direct-hire employees and locally employed staff to provide feedback on chief of mission performance.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

The Foreign Service Institute, in coordination with the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, should develop and execute more comprehensive training on management control responsibilities and procedures for conducting management control reviews in its classes for chief of mission candidates and deputy chiefs of mission.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs, should add consular crisis preparedness to the management controls checklist distributed annually to assist missions in their internal reviews of management controls.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

The Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Global Talent should issue Foreign Affairs Manual and Foreign Affairs Handbook guidance requiring all missions to implement structured mid-level development programs.

Management Assistance Report: Support From the Under Secretary for Management Is Needed To Facilitate the Closure of Open Office of Audits Recommendations

AUD-AOQC-21-32 June 2021

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Under Secretary for Management (a) direct all Department entities responsible for implementing the recommendations identified in this report to provide OIG, within 30 days of the issuance of this report, with a status update, including evidence of actions taken, descriptions of actions planned or still to be completed, and estimated milestones for implementation for each recommendation and (b) verify that each entity has responded as directed.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Under Secretary for Management verify periodically, but no less than quarterly, that those entities with recommendations that have yet to be implemented and closed are providing status updates and responses to OIG in a timely manner, as required.

7467 recommendations in total

Last Updated: June 7th, 2026

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.

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

Recommendations

444

$15,045,004

134

$0

416

$218,173,822

0

$0

36

$0

0

$0