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

Review of Delays Encountered Constructing the New Embassy Compound in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

AUD-MERO-20-20 February 2020

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations develop and implement a formal process, including a checklist of required project documentation that must be maintained for each period of the construction planning process (the study period, the acquisitions period, and the operations period) to ensure that required project documentation is properly transferred when project managers depart or are reassigned.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations take the following actions: (a) assess its supervisory oversight of its project managers to ensure that all required project documentation is maintained in the official project file and (b) design and implement internal control activities that ensure that project managers achieve agency objectives and that hold project managers accountable for implementing their internal control responsibilities.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Office of Acquisitions Management and the Office of the Legal Advisor, (a) determine why the project managers acted outside their delegated authority to deviate from required contract deliverables, and (b) determine whether the program managers’ actions regarding the contract deliverables in the Architectural and Engineering contract constitute an official government act that relieves the contractor from providing the deliverables.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Office of Acquisitions Management and the Office of the Legal Advisor and following the determination specified in Recommendation 3, determine whether the Architectural and Engineering contractor is liable for damages for not fulfilling all the terms and conditions of the Architectural and Engineering contract and report the final disposition of the recovery.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), in coordination with the Office of Acquisitions Management and the Office of the Legal Advisor and following the determination specified in Recommendation 3(a), (regarding why the project managers acted outside their delegated authority to deviate from required contract deliverables), establish and implement appropriate policies and procedures that ensure that Contracting Officer’s Representatives and other OBO personnel administering construction projects do not exceed their authority by deviating from the contract deliverables.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Office of Acquisitions Management and the Office of the Legal Advisor, take the following actions: (a) assess whether Caddell Construction Co., LLC, is liable for damages for not fulfilling the terms and conditions of its contract and (b) recover all monetary damages for which Caddell is liable and report the final disposition of the recovery to the Office of Inspector General.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Under Secretary for Management, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations and the Office of the Legal Advisor, take action to end the impasse regarding the construction of the New Office Building on the New Embassy Compound in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented $125,000,000

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, following the Under Secretary for Management’s decision in Recommendation 7 to end the impasse regarding construction of the New Office Building on the New Embassy Compound in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, take appropriate action to execute the decision and report to the Office of Inspector General the actual amount of funds, which could be as much as $125 million, placed under contract to finalize construction of the New Office Building.

Inspection of Embassy Canberra and Constituent Posts, Australia

ISP-I-20-07 February 2020

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra, in coordination with the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the Office of the Legal Adviser, and the Office of Management Strategy and Solutions, should determine which U.S. Government personnel in Australia are under chief of mission authority, in accordance with Department guidelines.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should implement procedures to review staffing levels in accordance with Department standards for the National Security Decision Directive 38 process.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should conduct its mission-wide First- and Second-Tour employee program in accordance with Department guidance.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra, in coordination with the Office of Civil Rights, should nominate Equal Employment Opportunity counselors in accordance with Department guidance.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should conduct records retirement in accordance with Department records management standards.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should update its standard operating procedures and checklist and provide staff training in order to maintain grant files as required by Department and Federal assistance guidance.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented $896,849 Significant

Embassy Canberra, in coordination with the Bureaus of Overseas Buildings Operations and East Asian and Pacific Affairs, should dispose of property numbers R48 and R49 at Kalgoorlie Crescent in accordance with Department guidelines and put up to $896,849 to better use.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented $243,993

Embassy Canberra, in coordination with the Bureaus of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, should reprogram additional Diplomatic and Consular Program-funded Information Management positions to International Cooperative Administrative Support Services-funded positions, in accordance with Department standards, and put funds of $243,993 over 3 years per position to better use.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented $408,688

Embassy Canberra should de-obligate unliquidated obligations totaling $408,688 and put the funds to better use.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should establish a schedule that allows the alternate cashier at each post to work as the principal cashier, in accordance with Department guidelines.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should complete and document safety certifications, in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

12

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra, in coordination with the Bureaus of Overseas Buildings Operations and East Asian and Pacific Affairs, should bring the residential safety program for Department of Defense personnel under chief of mission authority into compliance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

13

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should bring the mission’s fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

14

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should document nonexpendable property transfers in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

15

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should close out procurement files in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

16

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should periodically verify the accuracy of its mission-wide motor vehicle fleet databases in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

17

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should implement procedures at Consulate General Melbourne to limit drivers’ duty time to the 10-hour daily maximum in accordance with Department guidelines.
Recommendation Number

18

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should submit all retail price surveys to the Bureau of Administration’s Office of Allowances in accordance with Department guidelines.
Recommendation Number

19

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should conduct the mission’s information systems security officer program, including training, in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

20

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should test the information technology contingency plans for the unclassified and classified networks in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

21

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should conduct initial and annual refresher information technology contingency training for employees with information technology contingency planning responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

22

Closed Implemented

Embassy Canberra should perform its local information technology configuration control board responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.

Audit of the Department of State’s Coordination and Oversight of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

AUD-SI-20-17 February 2020

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy, in accordance with Department of State Leadership and Management Principles for Department Employees, develop and implement an action plan to promote open dialogue and trust between Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy officials and PEPFAR country team members when establishing performance targets for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy develop and implement a communication plan on the suggested changes to Country Operational Plan preparation tools offered by U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief country team members, including a mechanism to address and convey decisions on suggested changes.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy seek the assistance of an independent party to conduct an evaluation of the Country Operational Plan development process and provide options for adjustment to the timeline.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy, in coordination with the Bureau of Human Resources, develop and implement a plan to hire full-time Civil Service U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Coordinators.

Audit of Mission Turkey and Embassy Beirut Fuel Oversight and Payment Process

AUD-MERO-20-19 January 2020

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Acceptable Alternative

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, require its Contracting Officer to appoint a Contracting Officer’s Representative to its fuel contracts who has the authority to inspect and accept fuel on behalf of the Government and approve vendor invoices.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Acceptable Alternative

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, require its Contracting Officer to appoint a Contracting Officer’s Representative to its fuel contracts who has the authority to inspect and accept fuel on behalf of the Government and approve vendor invoices.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, require its Contracting Officer to appoint a Contracting Officer’s Representative to its fuel contracts who has the authority to inspect and accept fuel on behalf of the Government and approve vendor invoices.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, establish and implement fuel receiving procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation requirements that require Contracting Officers or Contracting Officer’s Representatives to accept fuel on behalf of the Government.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, establish and implement fuel receiving procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation requirements that require Contracting Officers or Contracting Officer’s Representatives to accept fuel on behalf of the Government.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, establish and implement fuel receiving procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation requirements that require Contracting Officers or Contracting Officer’s Representatives to accept fuel on behalf of the Government.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, establish and implement fuel receiving procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation requirements that require Contracting Officers or Contracting Officer’s Representatives to accept fuel on behalf of the Government.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, develop and implement a quality assurance surveillance plan for its fuel contracts based on the contract’s performance work statement and incorporate procedures to test fuel for water content and sediment.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, develop and implement a quality assurance surveillance plan for its fuel contracts based on the contract’s performance work statement and incorporate procedures to test fuel for water content and sediment.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, develop and implement a quality assurance surveillance plan for its fuel contracts based on the contract’s performance work statement and incorporate procedures to test fuel for water content and sediment.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, develop and implement a quality assurance surveillance plan for its fuel contracts based on the contract’s performance work statement and incorporate procedures to (a) test fuel for water content and sediment and (b) require contractors to certify that delivered gasoline is 95 octane, as required in the contract.
Recommendation Number

12

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, purchase and install a fuel flow meter to independently verify the quantity of fuel delivered by the contractor.
Recommendation Number

13

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, purchase and install a fuel flow meter to independently verify the quantity of fuel delivered by the contractor.
Recommendation Number

14

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, purchase and install a fuel flow meter to independently verify the quantity of fuel delivered by the contractor.
Recommendation Number

15

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, purchase and install a fuel flow meter to independently verify the quantity of fuel delivered by the contractor.
Recommendation Number

16

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, establish and implement procedures in the quality assurance surveillance plans for its fuel contracts that require oversight officials to (a) independently verify the quantity of fuel delivered using Department of State-owned flow meters and (b) detail the process that should be followed if fuel does not meet quality standards or if the volume of fuel measured by the embassy’s flow meters does not match the quantity measured by the contractor’s flow meters.
Recommendation Number

17

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, establish and implement procedures in the quality assurance surveillance plans for its fuel contracts that require oversight officials to (a) independently verify the quantity of fuel delivered using Department of State-owned flow meters and (b) detail the process that should be followed if fuel does not meet quality standards or if the volume of fuel measured by the consulate general’s flow meters does not match the quantity measured by the contractor’s flow meters.
Recommendation Number

18

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, establish and implement procedures in the quality assurance surveillance plans for its fuel contracts that require oversight officials to (a) independently verify the quantity of fuel delivered using Department of State-owned flow meters and (b) detail the process that should be followed if fuel does not meet quality standards or if the volume of fuel measured by the consulate’s flow meters does not match the quantity measured by the contractor’s flow meters.
Recommendation Number

19

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, establish and implement procedures in the quality assurance surveillance plans for its fuel contracts that require oversight officials to (a) independently verify the quantity of fuel delivered using Department of State-owned flow meters and (b) detail the process that should be followed if fuel does not meet quality standards or if the volume of fuel measured by the embassy’s flow meters does not match the quantity measured by the contractor’s flow meters.
Recommendation Number

20

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, review the contract files for all current fuel contracts to assess the file quality in accordance with the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, Procurement Information Bulletin 2014-10, “Contract Files and COR File Checklist” (Updated June 4, 2015) and implement corrective actions necessary to maintain complete contract files.
Recommendation Number

21

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, review the contract files for all fuel contracts to assess the file quality in accordance with the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, Procurement Information Bulletin 2014-10, “Contract Files and COR File Checklist” (Updated June 4, 2015) and implement corrective actions necessary to maintain complete contract files.
Recommendation Number

22

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, review the contract files for all fuel contracts to assess the file quality in accordance with the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, Procurement Information Bulletin 2014-10, “Contract Files and COR File Checklist” (Updated June 4, 2015) and implement corrective actions necessary to maintain complete contract files.
Recommendation Number

23

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, review the contract files for all fuel contracts to assess the file quality in accordance with the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, Procurement Information Bulletin 2014-10, “Contract Files and COR File Checklist” (Updated June 4, 2015) and implement corrective actions necessary to maintain complete contract files.
Recommendation Number

24

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, direct its Contracting Officers to immediately review the Contracting Officer’s Representatives’ files for gasoline and diesel fuel for completeness and include the results of this review in the contract files.
Recommendation Number

25

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, conduct its annual management control review to report on the adequacy of the embassy’s internal control system, including the completeness and quality of its contracting files, and ensure that management control documentation is current and permanently on file in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Manual, 2 FAM 020, “Management Controls.”
Recommendation Number

26

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, conduct its annual management control review to report on the adequacy of the consulate general’s internal control system, including the completeness and quality of its contracting files, and ensure that management control documentation is current and permanently on file in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Manual, 2 FAM 020, “Management Controls.”
Recommendation Number

27

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, conduct its annual management control review to report on the adequacy of the consulate’s internal control system, including the completeness and quality of its contracting files, and ensure that management control documentation is current and permanently on file in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Manual, 2 FAM 020, “Management Controls.”
Recommendation Number

28

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, conduct its annual management control review to report on the adequacy of the embassy’s internal control system, including the completeness and quality of its contracting files, and ensure that management control documentation is current and permanently on file in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Manual, 2 FAM 020, “Management Controls.”
Recommendation Number

29

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, develop and implement invoice review procedures and corresponding checklists that require, at a minimum, voucher examiners to review submitted invoices for (a) all proper elements that are required by Federal Acquisition Regulation 32.905, “Payment documentation and process,” (b) the translation of key words if the invoice is in a foreign language as required by the Foreign Affairs Handbook under 4 FAH-3 H-422.1-1, “Definitions,” (c) evidence that the Contracting Officer’s Representatives certified the validity of the costs claimed and that the goods and/or services had been received, and (d) a stamp to document the date the invoice was received so that Prompt Payment Act requirements could be met.
Recommendation Number

30

Closed Implemented $530,000

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, review all invoices submitted by fuel contractors and paid by the embassy from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2018, for gasoline and diesel fuel contracts (a) to determine whether the $0.53 million paid against those invoices and identified by OIG as unsupported costs were allowable and (b) to recover any costs determined to be unallowable.
Recommendation Number

31

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, develop and implement invoice review procedures and corresponding checklists that require, at a minimum, voucher examiners to review submitted invoices for (a) all proper elements that are required by Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 32.905, “Payment documentation and process,” (b) the translation of key words if the invoice is in a foreign language as required by the Foreign Affairs Handbook under 4 FAH-3 H-422.1-1, “Definitions,” (c) evidence that the Contracting Officer’s Representatives certified the validity of the costs claimed and that the goods and/or services had been received, and (d) a stamp to document the date the invoice was received so that Prompt Payment Act requirements could be met.
Recommendation Number

32

Closed Implemented $330,000

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, review all invoices submitted by fuel contractors and paid by the consulate general from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2018, for gasoline and diesel fuel contracts (a) to determine whether the $0.33 million paid against those invoices and identified by OIG as unsupported costs was allowable and (b) to recover any costs determined to be unallowable.
Recommendation Number

33

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, develop and implement invoice review procedures and corresponding checklists that require, at a minimum, voucher examiners to review submitted invoices for (a) all proper elements that are required by Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 32.905, “Payment documentation and process,” (b) the translation of key words if the invoice is in a foreign language as required by the Foreign Affairs Handbook under 4 FAH-3 H-422.1-1, “Definitions,” (c) evidence that the Contracting Officer’s Representatives certified the validity of the costs claimed and that the goods and/or services had been received, and (d) a stamp to document the date the invoice was received so that Prompt Payment Act requirements can be met.
Recommendation Number

34

Closed Implemented $310,000

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, review all invoices submitted by fuel contractors and paid by the consulate from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2018, for gasoline and diesel fuel contracts (a) to determine whether the $0.31 million paid against those invoices and identified by OIG as unsupported costs was allowable and (b) to recover any costs determined to be unallowable.
Recommendation Number

35

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, develop and implement invoice review procedures and corresponding checklists that require, at a minimum, voucher examiners to review submitted invoices for (a) all proper elements that are required by Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 32.905, “Payment documentation and process,” (b) evidence that the Contracting Officer’s Representatives certified the validity of the costs claimed and that the goods and/or services had been received, and (c) a stamp to document the date the invoice was received so that Prompt Payment Act requirements can be met.
Recommendation Number

36

Closed Implemented $2,200,000 Significant

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, review all invoices submitted by fuel contractors and paid by the embassy from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2018, for gasoline and diesel fuel contracts (a) to determine whether the $2.2 million paid against those invoices and identified by OIG as unsupported costs was allowable and (b) to recover any costs determined to be unallowable.
Recommendation Number

37

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, establish and implement invoice review procedures and corresponding checklists for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) assigned to gasoline and diesel fuel contracts that require the CORs (a) to verify quantities of fuel received, unit prices paid, and the total cost of the invoices against contractual terms and supporting documentation in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Handbook under 14 FAH-2 H-142, “Responsibilities of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR),” and 4 FAH-3 H-425, “Voucher Prepayment Examination,” and (b) to certify invoices with an authorized signature in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Manual under 4 FAM 424, “Voucher Approval.”
Recommendation Number

38

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Ankara, Turkey, (a) perform a reconciliation of all invoices submitted and paid against gasoline and diesel fuel contracts from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2018, to determine whether the contractors were overpaid or underpaid and (b) either pursue reimbursement or pay any additional amounts owed to the contractors.
Recommendation Number

39

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, establish and implement invoice review procedures and corresponding checklists for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) assigned to gasoline and diesel fuel contracts that require the CORs (a) to verify quantities of fuel received, unit prices paid, and the total cost of the invoices against contractual terms and supporting documentation, in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Handbook under 14 FAH-2 H-142, “Responsibilities of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR),” and 4 FAH-3 H-425, “Voucher Prepayment Examination,” and (2) to certify invoices with an authorized signature, in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Manual under 4 FAM 424, “Voucher Approval.”
Recommendation Number

40

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate General Istanbul, Turkey, (a) perform a reconciliation of all invoices submitted and paid against gasoline and diesel fuel contracts from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2018, to determine whether the contractors were overpaid or underpaid and (b) either pursue reimbursement or pay any additional amounts owed to the contractors.
Recommendation Number

41

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, establish and implement invoice review procedures and corresponding checklists for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) assigned to gasoline and diesel fuel contracts that require the CORs (a) to verify quantities of fuel received, unit prices paid, and the total cost of the invoices against contractual terms and supporting documentation, in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Handbook under 14 FAH-2 H-142, “Responsibilities of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR),” and 4 FAH-3 H-425, “Voucher Prepayment Examination,” and (2) to certify invoices with an authorized signature, in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Manual under 4 FAM 424, “Voucher Approval.”
Recommendation Number

42

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Consulate Adana, Turkey, (a) perform a reconciliation of all invoices submitted and paid against gasoline and diesel fuel contracts from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2018, to determine whether the contractors were overpaid or underpaid and (b) either pursue reimbursement or pay any additional amounts owed to the contractors.
Recommendation Number

43

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, establish and implement invoice review procedures and corresponding checklists for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) assigned to gasoline and diesel fuel contracts that require the CORs (a) to verify quantities of fuel received, unit prices paid, and the total cost of the invoices against contractual terms and supporting documentation, in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Handbook under 14 FAH-2 H-142, “Responsibilities of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR),” and 4 FAH-3 H-425, “Voucher Prepayment Examination,” and (b) to certify invoices with an authorized signature, in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Manual under 4 FAM 424, “Voucher Approval.”
Recommendation Number

44

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Beirut, Lebanon, (a) perform a reconciliation of all invoices submitted and paid against gasoline and diesel fuel contracts from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2018, to determine whether the contractors were overpaid or underpaid, and (b) either pursue reimbursement or pay any additional amounts owed to the contractors.

Inspection of Embassy Pretoria and Constituent Posts, South Africa

ISP-I-20-09 January 2020

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should implement a process to track activities and progress against Mission South Africa’s Integrated Country Strategy.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should conduct end-use monitoring checks of defense, dual-use, or sensitive equipment in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should conduct Leahy vetting in accordance with Department guidance.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria, in coordination with the Bureaus of African Affairs and Educational and Cultural Affairs, should repurpose the former Information Resource Centers in Consulates General Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should comply with Department standards for the use of public diplomacy resources.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented Significant

The Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy, in coordination with Embassy Pretoria, should identify uniform use of performance metrics for President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief treatment program activities in South Africa.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented Significant

Embassy Pretoria should implement a plan to improve coordination on diplomatic engagement at the national and provincial levels for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented Significant

Embassy Pretoria should comply with the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy’s guidance to conduct quarterly reviews to prevent expenditures in excess of approved funding levels for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should create and maintain disaster assistance kits and prepare for potential disasters in Durban by completing the Consular Crisis Preparedness Scorecard and the Consular Risk Assessment Tool in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria, in coordination with the Bureaus of Overseas Buildings Operations and Consular Affairs, should provide a wheelchair-accessible bathroom and interview window for consular customers in Consulate General Durban.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should manage its furniture and appliance pool in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

12

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should bring its nonexpendable property inventory records into compliance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

13

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should implement any Property Survey Board recommendations related to the 2018 expendable supply inventory shortages in Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Recommendation Number

14

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should correct all residential safety deficiencies.
Recommendation Number

15

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should cease moving employees into residences that do not meet the Department’s safety standards.
Recommendation Number

16

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should comply with the Department’s Motor Vehicle Safety Management Program.
Recommendation Number

17

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should establish procedures to minimize the use of petty cash to pay for routine purchases in accordance with Department guidelines.
Recommendation Number

18

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should require the Information Systems Security Officers to perform their duties in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

19

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should complete and annually test the information technology contingency plans for the unclassified and classified networks in Consulates General Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

20

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should conduct initial and annual refresher information technology contingency training for staff with information technology contingency planning responsibilities in Consulates General Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg.
Recommendation Number

21

Closed Implemented

Embassy Pretoria should assign responsibility for supervision of information management programs at Consulates General Cape Town and Durban to the Information Management Officer.

Management Assistance Report: International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, U.S. Section, Travel Policy Is Not in Compliance With Federal Travel Regulations

AUD-CGI-20-15 January 2020

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, U.S. Section, update its Directives Management System Manual to implement requirements found in the Federal Travel Regulation, 41 C.F.R. §§ 301-51.1, 301-51.2, 301-51.3, and 301-51.4.

Management Assistance Report: United States Agency for Global Media Travel Card Policy Is Not in Compliance With Federal Travel Regulations

AUD-CGI-IB-20-14 January 2020

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the United States Agency for Global Media update its Travel Charge Cardholder Policy to implement requirements found in the Federal Travel Regulation, 41 C.F.R., §§ 301-51.1, 301-51.2, 301-51.3, and 301-51.4.

Inspection of Embassy Helsinki, Finland

ISP-I-20-08 January 2020

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

Embassy Helsinki should develop and implement a First- and Second-Tour program that complies with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented $1,300,000

Embassy Helsinki should dispose of excess expendable property in accordance with Department standards and put up to $1.3 million to better use.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

Embassy Helsinki should implement standard operating procedures for managing user account management operations in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

Embassy Helsinki should establish and implement a policy for requesting audio and visual support services for outreach events held at the embassy.

Management Assistance Report: Continued Health and Welfare Concerns for Antiterrorism Assistance Explosive Detection Canines

ESP-20-02 December 2019

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Counterterrorism and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security cease providing additional canines to Jordan and Egypt until there are plans in place to ensure their health and welfare and to provide continuous monitoring of their care.

Audit of the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s FY 2019 Implementation of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014

AUD-FM-IB-20-10 December 2019

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the U.S. Agency for Global Media develop and implement a methodology for recording estimated accounts payable amounts using a Budget Object Classification code that complies with guidance in Office of Management and Budget Circular A-11, § 83.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the U.S. Agency for Global Media develop and implement internal controls that limit the use of the "continue processing" option in Momentum. At a minimum, the use should either be limited to certain high-level user roles in the system or a secondary approval should be required when this option is used.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the U.S. Agency for Global Media develop and implement a methodology for Contract Specialists to be notified when contract actions are pending approval in Momentum.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the U.S. Agency for Global Media revise its Data Quality Plan (DQP) to more thoroughly document items required by Office of Management and Budget's Circular A-123, Appendix A. At a minimum, the revised DQP should provide details of the testing plan (which elements are tested and how often the testing will occur), details of the results of testing (errors identified for individual data elements), information on data elements that are at a higher risk of being reported incorrectly, and actions that are needed and have been taken to address the risk of misreported data.

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