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

Review of Selected Internal Investigations Conducted by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security

ESP-15-01 October 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented Significant

The Department should take steps (as previously recommended in OIG’s report on the 2012 inspection (ISP-I-13-18)), to enhance the integrity of DS’s internal investigations process by implementing safeguards to prevent the appearance of, or actual, undue influence and favoritism by Department officials.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented Significant

The Department should clarify and revise the Foreign Affairs Manual and should promulgate and implement additional protocols and procedures, in order to ensure that allegations of misconduct concerning Chiefs of Mission and other senior Department officials are handled fairly, consistently, and independently.

Inspection of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

ISP-I-14-24 September 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Acceptable Alternative

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should divide the Office of Resource Management into three offices: an Office of the Comptroller; an Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting; and an Executive Office—all three reporting to the same deputy assistant secretary.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Acceptable Alternative

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should move the Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy unit to the front office.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should reorganize the Office of Anticrime Programs; the Office of Criminal Justice and Assistance Partnerships; and the Office of Policy, Planning, and Coordination into two offices, one of which should be responsible for policy direction and coordination and the other responsible for training, justice system subject matter expertise, and technical assistance.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Acceptable Alternative

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Human Resources, should divide the Office of Africa and Middle East Programs into two separate geographic offices.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should systematically record and disseminate policy and program decisions and taskings, including those issued in front office meetings.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should require that each regional program office develop country plans in alignment with Integrated Country Strategies and other applicable strategic planning instruments, integrating performance information, for every country in which it conducts programs or projects.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should develop sustainability guidance that includes best practices and contains standardized metrics that are required for performance measurement plans.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should use full and open competition as the default mechanism for awarding grants and cooperative agreements.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should define specific roles and responsibilities for program management across the life cycle of a program, both in Washington and overseas.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should standardize its process for drafting, testing, disseminating, and implementing all new program management policies and procedures.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should make compliance with its Standard Operating Policy/Procedures on Monitoring and Evaluation mandatory.
Recommendation Number

12

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should require all staff to submit trip reports promptly.
Recommendation Number

13

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should integrate performance outcomes and evaluation findings into its strategic planning and budgeting process.
Recommendation Number

14

Closed New Report

The Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation, in coordination with the Bureau of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources, the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, and the Bureau of Information Resource Management, should convene a working group with a mandate to adapt existing Department systems or to adopt or develop an alternative system that would provide timely, accurate information needed to manage foreign assistance.
Recommendation Number

15

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Administration should revise the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs contracting warrants to increase warrant levels to $6.5 million for commercial items, $1 million for non-commercial items, and up to the maximum limitation for orders under existing contracts and should grant these warrants to four Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs contracting officers.
Recommendation Number

16

Closed Acceptable Alternative

The Bureau of Administration, in coordination with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, should revise the service level agreement provision for quarterly reviews to include both an accounting of time AQM devoted to INL service during the previous quarter and an accounting of turnaround time for each transaction, so that both parties can assess whether the level of service provided is adequate in relation to the fees paid.
Recommendation Number

17

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should establish a “boot camp” for all new domestic staff which covers the basic doctrines, procedures, and training requirements needed to assume their responsibilities.
Recommendation Number

18

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should establish and track training and certification requirements for every position in the bureau.
Recommendation Number

19

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should update its existing Foreign Service Institute classroom and online training, in coordination with the Foreign Service Institute, to reflect updated guidance and procedures.
Recommendation Number

20

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should create and circulate a monthly internal bureau report to address policy and program management issues, as well as personnel-related developments and decisions.
Recommendation Number

21

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should revise the mission and objectives of its BEAT newsletter so that it is targeted to the appropriate external audiences and conduct a survey of external recipients to gauge its effectiveness and guide revisions.
Recommendation Number

22

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should standardize procedures for the maintenance of project files and hold accountable those assigned responsibility for maintaining project files by including project file maintenance in their work requirements and performance reviews.
Recommendation Number

23

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should implement a records management program that includes procedures for records identification, storage, organization, retention, and retirement.
Recommendation Number

24

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotic and Law Enforcement Affairs should establish an information technology strategic plan that outlines the Information Management mission and objectives.
Recommendation Number

25

Closed New Report

Sensitive Information Redacted
Recommendation Number

26

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs should clearly define the objectives of the Global Project Management and System Analysis program and determine how best to fulfill the requirements for information technology technical assistance.
Recommendation Number

27

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, should complete a memorandum of agreement on bureau security officer support.
Recommendation Number

28

Closed New Report

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, in conjunction with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, should test annually its security alarm systems.

Inspection of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, High Threat Programs Directorate

ISP-I-14-23 September 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should establish a set of standard operating procedures and policies and a handbook for the High Threat Programs directorate.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should publish annually a Departmentwide notice communicating the role of the High Threat Programs directorate, its mission, and its responsibilities.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should publish guidance in the Foreign Affairs Manual delineating the High Threat Programs directorate’s mission, responsibilities, and organizational structure.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should require all regional security officers at high threat posts to brief incoming U.S. direct-hire employees on the High Threat Programs directorate’s role and mission.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should develop and implement a formal process for realigning the High Threat Programs directorate and International Programs directorate staff responsibilities as changes occur to the high threat posts list.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed New Report

The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, should implement a process for expedited responses to urgent requests for security upgrades and emergency construction projects.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should establish a policy that desk officers in the early stage of an assignment in the High Threat Programs directorate will conduct or participate in a familiarization visit to the diplomatic posts for which they have primary responsibility.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed New Report

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should revise its Post Security Program Review checklist to include requirements specific to high threat posts and update the Foreign Affairs Manual accordingly.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should implement a plan to adequately staff the Operations Planning Unit of the High Threat Programs directorate.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed New Report

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with the Office of the Legal Adviser, should establish memoranda of agreement for all liaison positions.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should modify the personal services contract to clarify on-call pay for emergency explosive ordnance disposal personnel.
Recommendation Number

12

Closed New Report

The Bureau of Human Resources, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, should undertake a comprehensive review of the structure, management, and manpower needs of the High Threat Programs directorate and make necessary adjustments.
Recommendation Number

13

Closed New Report

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should update position descriptions for the directorate of High Threat Programs staff members to accurately reflect current duties.
Recommendation Number

14

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should designate in writing separate unit security officers for each directorate.
Recommendation Number

15

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should designate in writing separate area custodial officers for each directorate.
Recommendation Number

16

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should implement a weekly duty roster to conduct closing hour inspections in the High Threat Programs directorate.
Recommendation Number

17

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should change the rendezvous point for High Threat Programs directorate personnel upon emergency evacuation of the building.
Recommendation Number

18

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should update and implement a new floor warden list for the High Threat Programs directorate.
Recommendation Number

19

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, should adhere to the performance targets in the master service level agreement for domestic consolidated bureau information technology support when resolving trouble tickets for the directorate of High Threat Programs.
Recommendation Number

20

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should establish a file management policy for the directorate of High Threat Programs that defines the responsibility for each individual to maintain directorate files, file naming conventions, and storage location.
Recommendation Number

21

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should establish a consolidated tracking system, managed in one office, for all taskers the directorate of High Threat Programs receives.
Recommendation Number

22

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should implement a plan that requires directorate of High Threat Programs staff to complete SharePoint training.

Management Alert: Grants Management Deficiencies

MA-14-03 September 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Under Secretary for Management institute a GO and GOR workforce planning effort, similar to the Acquisition Human Capital Plan required for the Department's overall acquisition workforce, to identify, for tracking, training, and budget purposes, the appropriate number of personnel needed Department-wide to ensure adequate grants management.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, develop and implement a process to randomly sample grant files, appropriately stratified by risk, to ensure that grants are closed out promptly, with required documentation, at the end of their periods of performance and to determine whether funds remaining on expired grants can be deobligated.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, provide the written results of all random grant-file reviews to the appropriate bureaus and offices to ensure that GOs, GORs, and other grant-management officials are held accountable for their oversight performance.

Audit of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty After-employment Benefits

AUD-FM-IB-14-34 September 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Broadcasting Board of Governors ensure that the employees responsible for monitoring Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) meet with RFE/RL officials to gain a complete understanding of the after-employment benefits offered.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Broadcasting Board of Governors design and implement procedures to perform routine reviews of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) financial activity. At a minimum, these procedures should include periodic reviews of significant events and transactions and analyses of RFE/RL's financial statements and actuarial reports.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Broadcasting Board of Governors develop a process to review and approve significant contracts over $350,000 for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Broadcasting Board of Governors develop policies and procedures to ensure that information needed to oversee grantees is maintained in the grant files and to ensure that the relevant information is available for at least 7 years.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) review and revise its policies and procedures to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the officials within BBG who are responsible for monitoring and overseeing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) formally designate a grants analyst to monitor Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). As part of the designation, BBG should ensure that the grants analyst's responsibilities are clearly communicated to that employee. Further, BBG should ensure that authority is formally provided to the grants analyst so that the analyst can obtain needed information from RFE/RL.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends, once a grants analyst has been designated, that the Broadcasting Board of Governors ensure that the grants analyst obtains appropriate training related to grants monitoring.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends, once a grants analyst has been designated, that the Broadcasting Board of Governors implement an effective communication methodology to ensure that information is shared between the Board of Governors and the grants analyst.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) design detailed annual budget submission formats and financial planning documents that will allow BBG to obtain details on unfunded liabilities at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Broadcasting Board of Governors develop and implement a standardized process to produce effective comparability studies. The process should ensure that the studies are performed at prescribed intervals, include all benefits offered by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to its domestic and overseas employees, and contain data and analyses that support conclusions.

Audit of International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, U.S. Section, Information Security Program

AUD-IT-14-33 September 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed New Report Significant

Sensitive Information Redacted
Recommendation Number

2

Closed New Report Significant

Sensitive Information Redacted
Recommendation Number

3

Closed New Report Significant

Sensitive Information Redacted
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented Significant

Sensitive Information Redacted
Recommendation Number

5

Closed New Report Significant

Sensitive Information Redacted
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) determine ownership of information technology inventory and update the Integrated Logistics Management System to accurately reflect IBWC's current information system components, as required by National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Revision 3.

Management Assistance Report—Termination of Construction Grants to Omran Holding Group

AUD-CG-14-37 September 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented $5,092,874 Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs immediately terminate grant agreements S-AF200-13-CA-012 and S-AF200-13-CA-014 with Omran Holding Group and deobligate the $5,092,874 in remaining funds.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented $1,203,426 Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs direct Omran Holding Group to reimburse the Department for the $1,203,426 in unspent funds related to grant agreements S-AF200-13-CA-012 and S-AF200-13-CA-014, and verify that the Department has received reimbursement for all unspent funds.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Not Implemented $502,890 Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs require the grants officer to determine the allowability of $502,890 in potentially unallowable costs identified by OIG, direct Omran Holding Group to refund the Department any costs determined to be unallowable, and verify that funds have been refunded.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs require Omran Holding Group to demolish the existing structure at Balkh University, at Omran Holding Group’s expense, within a reasonable timeframe as determined by the grants officer and verify that the structure has been demolished with no cost to the Department.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, Office of the Procurement Executive, develop Department guidance regarding the use of Federal assistance funds for overseas construction, including the use of appropriate procurement vehicles, such as contracts, for construction. Until such guidance is developed, no construction grants should be issued by the Department.

Audit of the Department of State Management of the Marine Security Guard Program and Plans for Program Expansion

AUD-SI-14-30 September 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Programs establish guidance and procedures to formalize and document the decision process used in the identification and selection of posts for Marine Security Guard detachments.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Programs establish a process to periodically reassess the worldwide allocation of Marine Security Guard detachments and adjust the assignment of Marine Security Guards among posts, as necessary, to maintain optimal allocation of available Marine Security Guard resources among all posts.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security incorporate into the Foreign Affairs Manual (12 FAM 430) and the Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Marine Corps the formal guidance and procedures to be used in the identification and selection of posts for Marine Security Guard detachments and the periodic reassessment and reallocation of available Marine Security Guard detachments among all posts.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Programs, in consultation with the U.S. Marine Corps, develop a comprehensive, long-term plan that prioritizes the use of dedicated Marine Security Guard program expansion resources for those embassies and other diplomatic facilities that are high threat posts.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Not Implemented Significant

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Programs ensure that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security's High Threat Programs Directorate shifts resources currently being used to expand Marine Security Guard detachments from the low and/or medium threat posts to high threat posts.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in consultation with the U.S. Marine Corps, conduct a comprehensive staffing and resource assessment of the Marine Security Guard program and, based on the assessment results, judiciously allocate appropriate resources to facilitate compliance with the Benghazi Accountability Review Board report to upgrade security for personnel at high threat posts.

Compliance Followup Audit of Department of State Actions To Address Weaknesses in the Ownership, Award, Administration, and Transfer of Overseas Construction Funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

AUD-ACF-14-32 August 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented $5,213,502 Significant

OIG recommends that the Regional Procurement Support Office in Frankfurt, Germany, determine whether the balance of $5,213,502 in obligations remaining on the nine contracts and task orders identified are still necessary and, if not, deobligate them.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

OIG recommends that S/GAC create standard signage for all PEPFAR-funded facilities to better highlight and display the American people's contribution towards efforts to globally combat HIV/AIDS (including text, size, and placement).

Inspection of Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan

ISP-I-14-22A August 2014

Recommendation Number

1

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should establish a mentoring program for first- and second-tour employees and encourage supervisors to allow them to attend professional development program events during working hours.
Recommendation Number

2

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should determine the appropriate staffing and mission of each field office as part of its rightsizing exercise and in conjunction with decisions on post-2014 troop levels.
Recommendation Number

3

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should implement a procedure for each consulate and platform to prepare a reporting plan and submit it for embassy approval.
Recommendation Number

4

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should designate a senior-level point of contact in the political section to coordinate and integrate the reporting of the consulates and regional platforms with the embassy.
Recommendation Number

5

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should designate a management officer and a public diplomacy officer to coordinate support for the management and public affairs field officers.
Recommendation Number

6

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should implement a schedule of familiarization visits by the political, economic, public affairs, management, and regional security office section chiefs or their deputies to the consulates and regional platforms.
Recommendation Number

7

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should group the political, economic, and rule of law positions at Consulate Mazar-e Sharif into a single political/economic section.
Recommendation Number

8

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, should, once decisions on the U.S. and international military presence have been made, undertake a fundamental review of embassy programs and staffing, in consultation with other agencies, and rightsize the number of U.S. direct-hire and other personnel accordingly.
Recommendation Number

9

Closed Acceptable Alternative

The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should implement Embassy Kabul’s contract management transition plan as soon as possible prior to the end of 2014.
Recommendation Number

10

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Budget and Planning, in coordination with Embassy Kabul and the Bureaus of Administration, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Diplomatic Security, and South and Central Asian Affairs, should review the full cost recovery method, in light of the security threat, and consider alternative cost models to promote greater use of Embassy Air by embassy and contract personnel.
Recommendation Number

11

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with Embassy Kabul and the Bureaus of Diplomatic Security and South and Central Asian Affairs, should develop, maintain, and execute a master plan—incorporating phasing and sequencing requirements—of all ongoing and planned projects, including those funded by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
Recommendation Number

12

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should upgrade the political and economic sections’ lists of reporting priorities into formal reporting plans and track implementation on a quarterly basis.
Recommendation Number

13

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should reorganize its political section to reduce the levels of clearance and streamline supervisory responsibilities.
Recommendation Number

14

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should develop guidelines for when to use informal emails, record emails, and cables for communication and reporting.
Recommendation Number

15

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should create and use in all offices a standardized (by year and traffic analysis and geography terms) filing system in common-use drives/folders that serve as the default location for officers to save all their work.
Recommendation Number

16

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should revise its procedure for clearing reporting with U.S. Forces-Afghanistan to facilitate timely reporting and the option for a separate military comment paragraph.
Recommendation Number

17

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, in coordination with the Bureau of Human Resources, should require that first-time economic reporting officers receive the appropriate training before arriving at the embassy.
Recommendation Number

18

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, in coordination with Embassy Kabul, should prepare monitoring plans that meet embassy criteria as a condition for initiating or extending projects and programs.
Recommendation Number

19

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, in coordination with Embassy Kabul, should incorporate the sustainability criteria found in the June 2011 Administrator’s Sustainability Guidance for USAID in Afghanistan into all bureau program performance management plans.
Recommendation Number

20

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the Office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, should determine whether the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan is capable of managing bureau contributions properly.
Recommendation Number

21

Closed Acceptable Alternative

Embassy Kabul should take the necessary steps to permit other sections and agencies to use the Gibson Training Center.
Recommendation Number

22

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should evaluate which media monitoring services are needed and eliminate duplicative or excess services and staff.
Recommendation Number

23

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Consular Affairs should establish a joint “deconfliction unit” with interagency partners that will take the most time-consuming and high-priority visa ineligibility and waiver cases from each agency’s analysts and mediate timely resolutions.
Recommendation Number

24

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should establish regular administrative days for training of nonsupervisory consular staff.
Recommendation Number

25

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Consular Affairs should make completion of the Foreign Service Institute’s Fraud Prevention for Consular Managers course (PC 541) a prerequisite for officers paneled to Kabul’s fraud prevention manager position.
Recommendation Number

26

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should implement a procedure for the consular chief to review all denials of international visitor visas to verify that case notes are specific, clear, and consistent.
Recommendation Number

27

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should implement a plan to increase the number of Smart Traveler Enrollment Program registrants in Afghanistan.
Recommendation Number

28

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs, should review the existing warden messaging system, determine whether a redundant system is necessary, and, if so, implement one.
Recommendation Number

29

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should revise grants monitoring plans to reflect accurately the limited embassy resources available for support and include alternate monitoring strategies for proper oversight.
Recommendation Number

30

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Administration, in coordination with Embassy Kabul and the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, should provide Embassy Kabul-specific training for staff managing grants.
Recommendation Number

31

Closed Acceptable Alternative

The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs should designate qualified staff members in the Embassy Kabul political-military section as grants officer representatives for conventional weapons destruction programs in Afghanistan.
Recommendation Number

32

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Administration should update the Office of the Procurement Executive’s Federal Assistance Policy Handbook and Recipient Guidebook.
Recommendation Number

33

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should enter all grantees and contractors into the Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker system.
Recommendation Number

34

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should track eligible temporary duty visitors and prepare partial-year invoices for respective agencies for International Cooperative Administrative Support Services.
Recommendation Number

35

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should conduct periodic, unannounced spot checks of expendable and nonexpendable property.
Recommendation Number

36

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should prepare an inventory management plan with minimum and maximum stock levels and replacement cycles for expendable and nonexpendable property.
Recommendation Number

37

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should implement an annual advance acquisition plan.
Recommendation Number

38

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should implement a trafficking in persons monitoring program.
Recommendation Number

39

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration and the Foreign Service Institute, should schedule training for Embassy Kabul contracting officers, contracting officer’s representatives, grants officers, grants officer representatives, and government technical monitors on how to monitor contracts and grants for trafficking in persons violations.
Recommendation Number

40

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Administration should issue a Grants Policy Directive to provide guidance to grants officers and grants officer representatives on responsibilities for monitoring grants for trafficking in persons violations.
Recommendation Number

41

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should maintain complete contracting officer’s representative files.
Recommendation Number

42

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should analyze its experience from the pilot program on Risk Analysis and Management vetting of contractors and grantees and submit a formal report with recommendations to the Bureau of Administration’s Office of Risk Analysis and Management.
Recommendation Number

43

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should implement a process by which it reports mishaps in a timely manner and performs investigation and analysis board responsibilities in accordance with Department of State requirements.
Recommendation Number

44

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should conduct and report driver safety training of all chauffeurs and incidental drivers, as required by the Department of State’s Overseas Motor Vehicle Safety Management Program.
Recommendation Number

45

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security should clarify its policy as to whether all drivers assigned to drive an armored vehicle regularly must attend the Diplomatic Service Training Center armored vehicle driver training program.
Recommendation Number

46

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security, in coordination with Embassy Kabul, should implement an armored vehicle driver training program for Embassy Kabul employees who drive an armored vehicle.
Recommendation Number

47

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should establish and maintain a full interagency housing board to oversee implementation of housing policies and standards.
Recommendation Number

48

Closed Implemented $2,256,000

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should determine the proper disposition and funding of eight leased properties (SAF200-09-L-0002; S-AF200-10-L-0006; S-AF200-10-L-0004; S-AF200-11-L-0001; S-AF200 11-L-0002; S-AF200-11-L-0003; S-AF200-11-L-0006; and S-AF200-11-L-0027) retained after relocation of residents to alternate quarters.
Recommendation Number

49

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should correct and validate its Real Property Application data.
Recommendation Number

50

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureaus of South and Central Asian Affairs and Human Resources, should perform a management review of its internal organization, with the goal of eliminating unnecessary layers of supervision.
Recommendation Number

51

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and the Bureaus of Human Resources and South and Central Asian Affairs, should develop a formal plan to address the turnover of locally employed staff.
Recommendation Number

52

Closed Acceptable Alternative

The Bureau of South and Central Asia, in coordination with Embassy Kabul and the Bureau of Human Resources, should establish a pilot hiring program that would allow eligible family members at other overseas posts to apply for short-term employment at Embassy Kabul and those already at the embassy to extend.
Recommendation Number

53

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, should provide incoming eligible family members with appropriate training before their arrival at the embassy.
Recommendation Number

54

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should provide supervisory training to the embassy’s supervisory local employees, either through formal training or temporary duty exchanges with other embassies.
Recommendation Number

55

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, in coordination with Embassy Kabul, should establish procedures to off-shore the administrative processing of American employee evaluations beginning with the 2014–2015 rating period.
Recommendation Number

56

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should establish procedures to off-shore its awards program.
Recommendation Number

57

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should off-shore portions of the embassy’s locally employed staff recruiting process, including screening of applications.
Recommendation Number

58

Closed Acceptable Alternative

Embassy Kabul should outsource the locally employed staff medical claim review and approval process.
Recommendation Number

59

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, in coordination with Embassy Kabul and the Bureau of Human Resources, should update both the Afghanistan Service Recognition Package and Embassy Kabul’s overtime policy to include the requirement for proper justification for all overtime.
Recommendation Number

60

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should enforce a check-in/check-out policy that mandates document completion and submission by all employees.
Recommendation Number

61

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should phase out the use of its Afghanistan Civilian Tracking System now that WebPASS is fully operational.
Recommendation Number

62

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Consular Affairs, in coordination with Embassy Kabul, should implement procedures that will avoid excessive costs associated with obtaining and renewing visas for American citizen nonpersonal services contractors assigned to Embassy Kabul.
Recommendation Number

63

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should identify an information management employee, along with a backup, charged with oversight of information technology inventories.
Recommendation Number

64

Closed Acceptable Alternative

Embassy Kabul should repair the post communications center vault door.
Recommendation Number

65

Closed Acceptable Alternative

Embassy Kabul should repair and test the emergency network communications system.
Recommendation Number

66

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of Information Resource Management, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Embassy Kabul, should perform a cost-benefit analysis of combining the mission’s two radio programs and take actions according to the results.
Recommendation Number

67

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should conduct and document routine tests of the emergency and evacuation radio program.
Recommendation Number

68

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, should implement and enforce a process to verify the need for classified accounts before requesting them for incoming personnel and to notify the information programs center accordingly.
Recommendation Number

69

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should institute the appropriate fiscal internal controls for the Kabul Embassy Employee Association to facilitate proper oversight and management.
Recommendation Number

70

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should implement all Department of State-required inventory and financial reconciliation processes pertaining to the Kabul Embassy Employee Association.
Recommendation Number

71

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should implement the appropriate agreements for all vendors and license agreements associated with the Kabul Embassy Employee Association.
Recommendation Number

72

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should refer the contract between the Kabul Embassy Employees Association and its chief operating officer to the Bureau of Administration, Office of Commissary and Recreation Affairs for determination regarding potential conflicts of interest.
Recommendation Number

73

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should meet U.S. tax withholding requirements for U.S. citizen employees of the Kabul Embassy Employee Association.
Recommendation Number

74

Closed Implemented

The Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services should identify and collect reimbursement of post allowances from employees who were overpaid.
Recommendation Number

75

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should regularly identify and dispose of unneeded property and consolidate storage sites before the start of the FY 2015 inventory.
Recommendation Number

76

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should review its pending unauthorized commitments to determine whether ratification is authorized and take action accordingly.
Recommendation Number

77

Closed Implemented

Embassy Kabul should update its accounts receivable records, attempt to collect outstanding bills, and refer any delinquent collections to the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services for collection action.

7478 recommendations in total

Last Updated: June 13th, 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