Recommendations

Department of State

452

Open Unclassified Recommendations¹

137

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations²

423

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 U.S. Section of the International Joint Commission, United States and Canada, Fys 2014 and 2015 Expenditures

AUD-FM-17-29 February 2017

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the U.S. Section of the International Joint Commission develop and implement policies and procedures for reviewing and approving invoices for payment to comply with the Prompt Payment Act of 1982 and Federal Acquisition Regulation payment requirements.

Inspection of the Broadcasting Board of Governors’ Middle East Broadcasting Networks

ISP-IB-17-09 February 2017

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented $6,226,940

The International Broadcasting Bureau Office of the Chief Financial Officer, in coordination with the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, should implement a schedule to review the approximately $6,226,940 in unliquidated obligations and deobligate those funds that are no longer required.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

The International Broadcasting Bureau Office of Chief Financial Officer should implement an action plan to close out expired Middle East Broadcasting Networks grants.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

The Broadcasting Board of Governors should require the Middle East Broadcasting Networks to ensure its property standard operating procedures are compliant with relevant regulations.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

The Broadcasting Board of Governors should require the Middle East Broadcasting Networks to report and reconcile property records from the last two inventories and document the cause and value for its missing property items.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

The Broadcasting Board of Governors should require Middle East Broadcasting Networks to implement property disposal procedures and controls in accordance with Federal regulations.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

The Broadcasting Board of Governors should revise its grant agreement with the Middle East Broadcasting Networks to require formal policies with standards to govern information technology operations and information systems security.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

The Broadcasting Board of Governors should require the Middle East Broadcasting Networks to prepare a fire evacuation plan, conduct a fire drill, and train all headquarters employees on all shifts on an annual basis.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

The International Broadcasting Bureau Office of Security, in coordination with the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, should establish a written protocol to comply with Article X of the grant agreement.

Inspection of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

ISP-I-17-10 February 2017

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration should implement an annual action plan for its Functional Bureau Strategy to identify priorities and objectives and communicate them to its staff.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration should implement a staffing plan as part of its FY 2019 Bureau Resource Request.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration should implement a standard operating procedure for future annual statement of assurance processes that includes reviews of contracts, information security, and refugee admissions processes.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration should implement an action plan to improve its monitoring and evaluation of cooperative agreements and grants.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should implement internal control procedures for delivery order SAQMMA14F1425 to prevent spending in excess of the contract ceilings.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented $2,206,837

The Bureau of Administration should determine whether the questioned costs of $1,361,408 incurred under SAQMMA11F4076 and $845,429 incurred under delivery order SAQMMA14F1425 in support of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Enterprise System, as identified by OIG, are allowable, and recover any costs determined to be unallowable.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration should implement procedures to accurately track compliance with the Department’s 80-day Civil Service hiring target, as specified in the service-level agreement with its shared services provider.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration should review all purchase card records, including supporting documentation, and file all missing documentation for acquisitions processed.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented $48,996

The Bureau of Administration should determine whether the questioned costs of $48,996 incurred in support of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration security services, as identified by OIG, are allowable, and recover any costs determined to be unallowable.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration should designate purchase card supervisors as purchase card approving officials and the Executive Director as the purchase card program coordinator.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, should implement a program of closing-hours security checks to safeguard classified material.

Inspection of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

ISP-I-17-07A January 2017

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should implement a standard operating procedure and monitoring plan for embassy staff to comply with the Department's Federal Assistance Policy Directive.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should dispose of the idle American Corner generator.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Acceptable Alternative $30,465

Embassy Port Moresby should return $30,465 to the Bureau of International Information and Programs.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should limit Consular Agency Honiara's work to functions related to provision of consular services.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should conduct annual purchase card reviews as required by Department standards.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should request a cash payment waiver from the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should develop and implement an employee training plan.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Administration, in coordination with Embassy Port Moresby, should take corrective action as determined by the Procurement Executive to ensure proper procurement procedures are followed, remedial acquisition training is taken, and fiduciary responsibilities are taken seriously to prevent future contract problems from occurring.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should implement standard operating procedures for maintaining contract files as required by the Foreign Affairs Handbook.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should separate receiving, asset recording, and asset bar-coding responsibilities.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should maintain residential inventory files in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

12

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should enforce controls on fuel consumption in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

13

Closed Implemented

Embassy Port Moresby should inspect and bring all existing residences into compliance with safety, health, and environmental certification requirements.

Audit of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Administration of the Armored Vehicle Program

AUD-SI-17-21 January 2017

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement a detailed armored vehicle program plan, with clear goals and obtainable objectives. The program plan should implement internal controls within all facets of the armored vehicle program, and define areas of authority and responsibility.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security establish and fill a program manager position who, in conjunction with security personnel, will manage the Department’s armored vehicle fleet. Specifically, this person should be an experienced program manager who has an expert knowledge of internal controls and vehicle fleet management experience.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop an action plan to implement and track a restructuring of the armored vehicle program. The action plan must have measurable goals and milestones, and include the development of detailed processes, policies, and procedures on the operations of the office and program.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement a strategy to address records management deficiencies related to the armored vehicle program.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop a methodology to determine the recommended number of armored vehicles needed at overseas posts. This guidance should provide baselines established using a variety of factors, such as the number of individuals under Chief of Mission authority and local threat ratings.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement a process to periodically perform an independent validation of the adequacy of each post’s armored vehicle fleet size.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement a process to ensure that the Emergency Action Committee at each overseas post is conducting the annual fleet assessment in accordance with Department requirements.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, develop and implement a methodology to facilitate the armored vehicle request process. The methodology should include metrics relating to response times, fulfillment of requests, and status updates for the requesting post or bureau.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, develop and implement a centralized tool to track requests for armored vehicles. This tool should be able to maintain a complete list of requests and the status of the efforts to fulfill the requests.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop, document, and implement a formal process for allocating armored vehicles to posts based upon need, request date, and threat levels.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented $24,906,990 Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop a utilization plan for the entire armored vehicle fleet that currently resides at domestic storage facilities, in order to prevent the unnecessary expenditure of funds, as that of the $24.9 million in costs wasted as a result of unused armored vehicles. The utilization plan should include estimated costs for repairing all armored vehicles that are currently not operational.
Recommendation Number

12

Closed Implemented $26,440,294 Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement policy and procedures for the transfer of armored vehicles to other U.S. Government agencies, in order to prevent unnecessary expenditure of funds, as that of the $26.4 million in armored vehicles transferred to other U.S. government agencies at no cost. The policy should provide guidance to ensure that, to the extent possible, the Department receives reimbursement for the transfer of unused armored vehicles.
Recommendation Number

13

Closed Implemented $536,159

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security determine the location or disposition of the five vehicles that OIG could not locate during its April 2016 physical inventory and adjust its inventory records accordingly.
Recommendation Number

14

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security implement bureau-specific policies and procedures for conducting an annual physical inventory of armored vehicles, including a documented reconciliation process.
Recommendation Number

15

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, complete and implement the module in the Fleet Management Information System that will enable the Bureau of Diplomatic Security to track and record the maintenance costs associated with all domestically located armored vehicles.
Recommendation Number

16

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security establish a system that documents requests for repair and maintenance of armored vehicles that are not “in service” and captures the data necessary for updating maintenance records until the Fleet Management Information System module is implemented (Recommendation 14).
Recommendation Number

17

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration update the Foreign Affairs Manual and the Foreign Affairs Handbook to require the use of the Fleet Management Information System for all armored vehicles.
Recommendation Number

18

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in conjunction with the Overseas Security Policy Board, update the Foreign Affairs Handbook to include a policy that mandates the use of armored vehicles that meet Overseas Security Policy Board standards for all individuals under Chief of Mission authority.
Recommendation Number

19

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, provide guidance to each Chief of Mission underscoring the mandate that all personnel under Chief of Mission authority must use only armored vehicles that meet Overseas Security Policy Board standards.
Recommendation Number

20

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in conjunction with the Overseas Security Policy Board, develop an action plan to modify or replace the non-Overseas Security Policy Board standard armored vehicles currently in use at overseas posts so that the vehicles meet Overseas Security Policy Board standards.
Recommendation Number

21

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement a policy requiring Regional Security Officers to perform and document a review of all armored vehicles arriving at post, regardless of agency, to ensure that each one meets Overseas Security Policy Board standards.
Recommendation Number

22

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and provide training for all Regional Security Officers related to identifying whether armored vehicles meet required standards.
Recommendation Number

23

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Bogota institute a policy to restrict the use of Level B armored vehicles to only those areas that do not require armored vehicles for travel.
Recommendation Number

24

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs develop and implement a process to ensure that Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs personnel at overseas posts procure armored vehicles that meet Overseas Security Policy Board standards for armoring, if these vehicles will be used to transport individuals under Chief of Mission authority.
Recommendation Number

25

Closed Acceptable Alternative

OIG recommends that the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs develop and implement a methodology to identify all Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs armored vehicles at overseas posts that do not meet Overseas Security Policy Board standards for armoring and develop and implement a process to either limit the use of these vehicles or to replace or modify the vehicles so that they comply with standards.
Recommendation Number

26

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop guidance for posts to require that responsible officials at overseas posts periodically check that motor pool personnel are performing the daily and weekly routine checks of armored vehicles.
Recommendation Number

27

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration update the Foreign Affairs Manual to include a requirement for all overseas posts to develop and implement a mission policy to ensure that armored vehicles receive the required preventative maintenance.
Recommendation Number

28

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement guidance for overseas posts on the construction and use of shelters for armored vehicles.
Recommendation Number

29

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement an action plan to decrease the amount of time it takes to procure ballistic glass for installation in armored vehicles.
Recommendation Number

30

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Port-Au-Prince immediately begin using the Fleet Management Information System to record and track maintenance performed on official vehicles at post.
Recommendation Number

31

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Embassy Abuja immediately begin using the Fleet Management Information System to record and track maintenance performed on official vehicles at post.
Recommendation Number

32

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security update the current armored vehicle policy to define specifically what types of maintenance must be performed under an embassy employee’s observation.
Recommendation Number

33

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, develop and implement a process to ensure that appropriate Regional Security Office and General Service Office personnel receive training, including periodic refresher training, regarding the maintenance requirements for armored vehicles.
Recommendation Number

34

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, develop and implement a specific policy and implementing guidance on the process for overseas armored vehicle disposal, which should include an update to the required forms and clear instructions on the appropriate forms to be used to document the disposal, post Regional Security Officer approval, and Bureau of Diplomatic Security approval of the method of destruction.
Recommendation Number

35

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, develop and implement a specific policy and implementing guidance on the process for domestic armored vehicle disposal, which should include an update to the required forms and clear instructions on the appropriate forms to be used to document the disposal, Bureau of Diplomatic Security approval of the method of destruction, and a requirement for a cleared employee witness.
Recommendation Number

36

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, develop and implement a specific policy and implementing guidance on the process for overseas and domestic armored vehicle transfers to another agency, which should include an update to the required forms and clear instruction on the appropriate forms to be used to document the disposal, required approvals, and instructions for recording the transfers in the Integrated Logistics Management System.
Recommendation Number

37

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, develop and implement a process to ensure that all Regional Security Office personnel receive training, including periodic refresher training, regarding the disposal requirements for armored vehicles.
Recommendation Number

38

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, develop and implement a process to ensure that all General Services Office personnel receive training, including periodic refresher training, regarding the disposal requirements for armored vehicles.

Inspection of Embassy Belgrade, Serbia

ISP-I-17-08A January 2017

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

Embassy Belgrade should transmit official record correspondence using State Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset archive record emails in compliance with Department guidance.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

Embassy Belgrade should implement procedures to comply with Department reporting requirements for the management of grants by the Public Affairs Section.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

Embassy Belgrade should establish adequate internal controls for the disbursement of facility stock and supplies for official use only.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

Embassy Belgrade should conduct annual inventory reconciliations of its facility stock and supplies.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

Embassy Belgrade should assess and report to the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations all leased high-rise residential properties not in compliance with Department fire safety standards.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

Embassy Belgrade should implement a records management program in accordance with Department standards.

Inspection of Embassy Bratislava, Slovakia

ISP-I-17-06A January 2017

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

Embassy Bratislava should require mission staff to transmit official record correspondence using State Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset archive record emails in compliance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

Embassy Bratislava should issue a management directive defining the policies and procedures for processing and closing out foreign assistance awards in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

Embassy Bratislava should install a monitoring system to give the accountable consular officer line-of-sight supervision of the consular cashier’s booth.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented $1,000

Embassy Bratislava should collect all outstanding monies owed by embassy staff for personal taxi expenses paid by the Embassy.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented $9,000

Embassy Bratislava should review all monthly taxi bills since January 2014 that lack the proper employee and supervisor certification to identify and collect reimbursement for those bills identified as personal expenses.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

Embassy Bratislava should implement standard operating procedures to monitor and enforce effectively its policy on use and reimbursement of the contracted taxi service for personal trips.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

Embassy Bratislava, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should implement a schedule for inspecting, testing, and maintaining the embassy fire alarm systems on an annual basis.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Acceptable Alternative

Embassy Bratislava should use the Department of State Residential Safety, Health, and Fire Prevention Awareness Checklist when evaluating prospective residences for inclusion in the housing pool.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

Embassy Bratislava should develop and implement standard operating procedure for selecting properties for inclusion in the interagency housing pool.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

Embassy Bratislava should implement and enforce a policy for electronic file organization in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

Embassy Bratislava, in coordination with the Bureau of Information Resource Management, should correct all cable infrastructure issues in accordance with Department standards.

Inspection of Embassy Rangoon, Burma

ISP-I-17-05A January 2017

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

Embassy Rangoon, in coordination with the Foreign Service Institute, should conduct a post-led earthquake tabletop exercise to identify and correct weaknesses in earthquake response plans.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

Embassy Rangoon, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should evaluate the seismic safety of residential buildings in the residential housing pool and relocate residents occupying any seismically sub-standard housing.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

Embassy Rangoon should complete grants closeouts.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

Embassy Rangoon should realign existing Public Affairs Section staff work assignments to meet high priority public diplomacy program requirements.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

Embassy Rangoon should require all vendors to submit invoices to the Designated Billing Office.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

Embassy Rangoon should require subcashier supervisors to complete unannounced cash verifications.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

Embassy Rangoon should establish internal control procedures for inventory management in accordance with Department standards.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

Embassy Rangoon should collect charges for “other authorized use” of government vehicles.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

Embassy Rangoon should discontinue all home-to-school shuttle services that have not been justified in accordance with Department of State guidance.

Management Assistance Report: Health and Safety Concerns Identified Related to Armored Vehicle Disposals

AUD-SI-17-20 January 2017

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Directorate for Operations, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, Office of Safety, Health, and Environmental Management, develop and implement specific safety guidance for the disposal of armored vehicles overseas. The guidance should reference obligatory occupational health and safety standards, instruct how to conduct an Activity Hazard Analyses in accordance with Overseas Buildings Operations requirements, specify that Activity Hazard Analyses must be performed during the pre-award contract phase, and mandate specialized health and safety training for post personnel involved in armored vehicle disposals in order that they may verify contractor compliance with required occupational health and safety standards.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Directorate for Operations, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, Office of Safety, Health, and Environmental Management, develop a contract template for overseas posts to use for armored vehicle disposal contracts. The template should include specific contract clauses relating to occupational health and safety standards for contractors performing vehicle disposals.

Audit of the Oversight of Fuel Acquisition and Related Services Supporting Department of State Operations in Iraq

AUD-MERO-17-16 December 2016

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented $64,000,000 Significant

OIG recommends that Bureau of Administration, Office of Logistics Management, Office of Acquisition Management, utilize contractual remedies under contract SAQMMA13D0120 and seek adjustment for any nonconforming fuel included in the $64 million of questioned costs paid from January 2014 to January 2016.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs require PAE Government Services, Inc., to immediately a) establish and implement a fuel inspection system in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.246-2 and b) provide fuel inspection results to contracting officer’s representatives that demonstrate conformance with all fuel quality standards outlined in the Baghdad Life Support Services contract.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that Bureau of Administration, Office of Logistics Management, Office of Acquisition Management, determine whether any additional costs were incurred by the Department for laboratory services that PAE Government Services, Inc. identified in its technical proposal but did not use to ensure the fuel complied with quality control standards, and utilize contractual remedies under contract SAQMMA13D0120 to seek adjustment.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of Logistics Management, Office of Acquisition Management, modify contract SAQMMA13D0120 to require PAE Government Services, Inc. to test gasoline for octane and provide test results to contracting officer’s representatives prior to transferring fuel from the delivery trucks to the storage tanks at Department of State facilities in Iraq.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs conduct a study to determine the appropriate numbers of trained, technically experienced, and certified oversight personnel required to oversee the Baghdad Life Support Services and Operations and Maintenance Support Services contracts, to include specific consideration of 2-year assignments, required Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives certification levels, and appointment of additional assistant contracting officer’s representatives.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs use the results of the study from Recommendation 5 to nominate appropriate personnel so contracting officers with the Bureau of Administration, Office of Logistics Management, Office of Acquisitions Management, can assign qualified oversight personnel for those contracts and task orders.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs develop and disseminate tools—such as quick reference matrices that identify key fuel quality requirements, equipment maintenance requirements, applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation requirements, and historical concerns or prior nonconformance with contract requirements—to assist contracting officer’s representatives and alternate contracting officer’s representatives with acclimating to the voluminous contract and technical requirements associated with the Baghdad Life Support Services and Operations and Maintenance Support Services contracts and task orders.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, in coordination with the contracting officer in the Bureau of Administration, Office of Logistics Management, Office of Acquisitions Management, contractually require PAE Government Services, Inc., to conduct a full inventory of all fuel storage and distribution equipment and machinery that require maintenance, as part of fuel-related task orders under the Operations and Maintenance Support Services contract.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, a) in coordination with the contracting officer in the Bureau of Administration, Office of Logistics Management, Office of Acquisitions Management, contractually require PAE Government Services, Inc., to obtain operation and maintenance manuals for all fuel storage and distribution equipment and machinery, to include the manufacturers’ recommended maintenance schedules; and b) include steps for inspecting these requirements in the corresponding quality assurance surveillance plans.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs review all requirements included in the fuel-related task orders under the Baghdad Life Support Services and Operations and Maintenance Support Services contracts, and develop and implement quality assurance surveillance plans that address key requirements and high–risk areas related to all fuel acquisition and services.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs develop and implement training for contracting officer’s representatives that emphasizes contractor responsibilities for inspecting goods prior to delivery and focuses on limitations of authority for contracting officer’s representatives to accept nonconforming goods.
Recommendation Number

12

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs develop reference guides that summarize contract requirements specific for fuel for the Baghdad Life Support Services and Operations and Maintenance Support Services contracts and provide the guides to all contracting officer’s representatives and alternate contracting officer’s representatives assigned to those contracts.
Recommendation Number

13

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs document all instances of contract nonconformance with regard to fuel deliveries in support of the annual review of PAE Government Services, Inc.’s, performance to be recorded in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System.
Recommendation Number

14

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs develop and implement a procedure, such as establishing a group email address for all pertinent oversight personnel, to ensure that all contracting officer’s representatives are aware of significant, performance-related correspondence between the contracting officer’s representative, contracting officer, and contractor.
Recommendation Number

15

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs update its “Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) File Audit Plan” to include a requirement for the contracting officer’s representatives for the Baghdad Life Support Services and Operations and Maintenance Support Services contracts to conduct monthly reviews of the contracting officer’s representative files for sufficiency of oversight documents, such as documentation regarding the acceptability of goods and services, site-visit results, and copies of all correspondence and synopses of telephone calls to and from the contractor and contracting officer, to accurately report contractor performance in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System.
Recommendation Number

16

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs update its “Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) File Audit Plan” to include a requirement for departing contracting officer’s representatives to a) certify that contract files are complete in accordance with the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, Procurement Information Bulletin 2014-10, and b) maintain a copy of the certification in the contract files.
Recommendation Number

17

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, in coordination with its Contract Management Office in Frankfurt, Germany, update its Invoice Review Processes and Procedures standard operating procedure with the requirement for invoice reviewers to verify that domestic fuel prices invoiced by contractors correspond to the domestic fuel prices established by the Oil Products Distribution Company, for all fuel purchased and invoiced in Iraq.
Recommendation Number

18

Closed Implemented $2,265,095 Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of Logistics Management, Office of Acquisitions Management, recover the remaining fuel overpayment in the amount of $2,265,095 from PAE Government Services, Inc.

7478 recommendations in total

Last Updated: June 14th, 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

452

$15,045,004

137

$0

423

$190,873,822

0

$0

36

$0

0

$0