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Recommendations

Department of State

444

Open Unclassified Recommendations¹

$15,045,004

Open Unclassified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits¹

134

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations²

$0

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits²

416

Open Classified Recommendations³

$218,173,822

Open Classified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits³

U.S. Agency for Global Media

0

Open Unclassified Recommendations¹

$0

Open Unclassified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits¹

36

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations²

$0

Open Sensitive But Unclassified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits²

0

Open Classified Recommendations³

$0

Open Classified Recommendations Potential Monetary Benefits³
Department recommendations include 49 recommendations that are associated with the International Boundary Water Commission.
 
recommendation icon
Audit of Physical Security Standards for Department of State Temporary Structures at Selected Overseas Posts
AUD-SI-23-30
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, (a) finalize and publish definitions and descriptions for temporary structures and related terminology, (b) update applicable policies and process documents, and (c) communicate this information to all Department of State employees who have responsibility for real property at overseas posts.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (a) draft and publish guidance in the Foreign Affairs Manual requiring posts to request authorization and permits before changing the intended and permitted use of any structure and (b) communicate this information to all Department of State employees who have responsibility for real property at overseas posts.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations update the Real Property Application User Manual to (a) improve the guidance provided for data entry, including guidance related to standardization and streamlining of naming and categorization, and (b) include information related to structure type consistent with the definitions published in response to Recommendation 1.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, in coordination with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), develop and implement a process to periodically reconcile data between the Real Property Application and key DS databases, including the Published Waivers/Exceptions database, Deficiency Database, and Published Physical Security Surveys database.

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security strengthen its policies and procedures related to review, analysis, and quality control checks of physical security surveys to ensure that accurate identifying information is captured, and necessary follow-up actions are taken.

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement a process to review and address notations in physical security surveys related to obtaining or updating a waiver or exception.

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations develop and implement policies and procedures to request a certification from posts indicating that they do not have any unauthorized shipping containers.

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security analyze the backlog of physical security surveys to determine factors inhibiting completion of the physical security surveys and, based on the analysis, develop and implement a plan of action to address and resolve the backlog of physical security surveys.

recommendation icon
(U) Audit of the Department of State FY 2023 Information Security Program
AUD-IT-23-31
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented Significant

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Open Resolved Significant

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Open Started

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  10. Recommendation Number
    10
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  11. Recommendation Number
    11
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  12. Recommendation Number
    12
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  13. Recommendation Number
    13
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  14. Recommendation Number
    14
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  15. Recommendation Number
    15
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  16. Recommendation Number
    16
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  17. Recommendation Number
    17
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  18. Recommendation Number
    18
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  19. Recommendation Number
    19
    Closed Implemented Significant

    Sensitive Information Redacted

recommendation icon
(U) Audit of the U.S. Agency for Global Media FY 2023 Information Security Program
AUD-IT-IB-23-32
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  10. Recommendation Number
    10
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  11. Recommendation Number
    11
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

recommendation icon
Audit of Selected Cooperative Agreements Supporting Department of State Refugee Resettlement Support Centers
AUD-SI-23-28
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration review its refugee application quality control processes to identify gaps and develop and implement improvements to provide reasonable assurance that program objectives will be achieved.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration review its standard operating procedures to consolidate and clarify guidance related to prescreening refugee applicants and ensuring data consistency between START and the physical case file.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration collaborate with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to evaluate steps in the standard operating procedures related to prescreening refugees and update those procedures as appropriate.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration review performance reporting guidance for award recipients and include additional instructions as appropriate in the performance report template to assist Resettlement Support Centers in capturing and accurately reporting performance data in accordance with Department requirements.

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented $426,527

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $426,527 in questioned costs related to International Rescue Committee’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO22CA0007) for an office renovation contract and canvas bags, as detailed in Appendix B, are allowable and (b) recover any costs determined to be unallowable.

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented $127,899

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $127,899 in unsupported costs related to International Rescue Committee’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO22CA0007) for the purchase of equipment, the renting of meeting rooms, and professional services contracts, as detailed in Appendix B, are supported and (b) recover any costs determined to be unsupported.

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Closed Implemented $42,884

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $42,884 in unsupported costs related to Church World Service’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO22CA0005) for a security services contract, mechanical engineer consulting services contract, and lodging costs, as detailed in Appendix B, are supported and (b) recover all costs determined to be unsupported.

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether all other payments made in the first, second, and fourth quarters of FY 2022 related to Church World Service’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO22CA0005) for a security services contract and a mechanical engineer consulting services contract are supported and (b) recover all additional costs determined to be unsupported.

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Closed Implemented $39,094

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $39,094 in unsupported costs related to International Catholic Migration Commission’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO22CA0002) for consulting services contracts, as detailed in Appendix B, are supported and (b) recover any costs determined to be unsupported.

  10. Recommendation Number
    10
    Closed Implemented $122,596

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) determine whether the $122,596 in questioned costs related to International Catholic Migration Commission’s cooperative agreement (SPRMCO22CA0002) for a security contract, as detailed in Appendix B, are reasonable and (b) recover all costs determined to be unreasonable.

  11. Recommendation Number
    11
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (a) review all contracts executed by International Catholic Migration Commission under award SPRMCO22CA0002 not already covered under this audit report to determine whether the costs associated with those contracts comply with Code of Federal Regulations requirements and (b) recover all costs determined to be unallowable.

  12. Recommendation Number
    12
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration revise its standard operating procedures related to post-award monitoring as needed to require spot checks of vouchers.

  13. Recommendation Number
    13
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration develop and implement a communications strategy to inform current and future award recipients about the cost principles for award recipients outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and 2 C.F.R. Part 600.

recommendation icon
Audit of Department of State Efforts To Identify and Terminate Unneeded Contracts Related to Afghanistan
AUD-CGI-23-26
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Open Resolved Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, in coordination with the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, develop and implement a process that can be used in response to an emergency situation at an overseas post to identify contracts that require termination or other contract administration actions.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Open Resolved Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and implement a contingency action plan that could be enacted to optimize Contracting Officers’ workload management during challenging periods, such as when a surge of contracts need to be terminated, suspended, or closed out.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Open Resolved Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and implement an effective tool to track the status of contracts from termination through closeout. At a minimum, the tool should identify the steps remaining to be completed in the termination and closeout process, including identifying overdue steps, and the time elapsed between key steps.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Open Resolved Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop a plan to assess and take action to ensure Contracting Officers’ compliance with Department of State requirements regarding maintaining contract administration file documentation in eFiling.

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Open Resolved

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration conduct a survey among Contracting Officers and Contracting Officer’s Representatives to identify issues related to the use of the mandated eFiling module and suggested improvements to the module, specifically pertaining to maintaining contract administration documentation.

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Open Resolved Significant

    Following implementation of Recommendation 5, OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration (a) analyze the results of the survey to identify the factors hindering the use of eFiling to maintain contract administration documentation, including technical issues that need to be addressed and (b) develop and implement, if appropriate, a corrective action plan to increase the use of the mandated eFiling module.

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Open Resolved Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration update the Foreign Affairs Manual, Foreign Affairs Handbook, and supplemental procurement guidance to assist and support Contracting Officers in conducting contract terminations. At a minimum, the policies and procedures should include guidance detailing the contents of termination dockets, such as the type and extent of documentation to maintain; expected timelines for adding documents; and standardized methods for organizing and naming documents. The policy and procedures should also include helpful tools, such as a checklist of documents that are required to be maintained in the termination docket and a post-termination conference meeting template.

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Open Resolved Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, in coordination with the Foreign Service Institute, modify contract administration training that is offered by the Department of State to include guidance on the contract termination process.

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Open Resolved

    Following implementation of Recommendations 7 and 8, OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop a communication strategy and disseminate to procurement personnel the updates to policy, procedures, and training related to contract terminations to ensure awareness of contract termination process requirements, including documentation requirements.

  10. Recommendation Number
    10
    Open Resolved

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, within 45 days of issuance of this report, develop and implement a plan of action to address the contracts related to Afghanistan that are in the termination process to ensure prompt completion of the process and move contracts to closeout.

  11. Recommendation Number
    11
    Open Resolved

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration, within 45 days of issuance of this report, develop and implement a plan of action to address the expired contracts related to Afghanistan that remain open.

  12. Recommendation Number
    12
    Open Resolved

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of Administration develop and implement a process to ensure that Contracting Officers comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation termination process requirements.

recommendation icon
(U) Audit of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, U.S. Section, FY 2023 Information Security Program
AUD-IT-23-29
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  10. Recommendation Number
    10
    Open Resolved

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  11. Recommendation Number
    11
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  12. Recommendation Number
    12
    Closed Implemented

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  13. Recommendation Number
    13
    Closed Implemented Significant

    Sensitive Information Redacted

  14. Recommendation Number
    14
    Closed Implemented Significant

    Sensitive Information Redacted

recommendation icon
Audit of Select Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Assistance Awards to the National Center for State Courts That Were Performed in the Western Hemisphere
AUD-SI-23-27
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs develop a coversheet for performance progress reports to ensure that reports are signed and certified by an authorized representative of the recipient organization and distribute it for use to the National Center for State Courts.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, within 90 days of final report issuance, update the award files for the three awards reviewed for this audit to ensure that they contain all required documentation, such as SFs 425, SFs 270, Performance Progress Reports, Grants Officer Representative reports, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented Significant

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs develop and implement a plan to address the Grants Officer shortage in the Grants, Acquisition, Procurement, and Policy office.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented

    OIG recommends that the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs finalize the updated Grants Officer Representative (GOR) report template and distribute it for use. The updated GOR report template should include a field to populate the date that the GOR reviewed the Performance Progress Reports.

recommendation icon
Evaluation of Adjustments to the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program From 2018 Through 2022
AUD-MERO-23-23
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Open Resolved Significant

    OIG recommends that the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Senior Coordinating Official, in coordination with the Bureau of Consular Affairs and the Joint Executive Office for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, develop and implement a strategic performance management approach to improve the outcomes of the Afghan SIV program, including establishing goals and measures of success to evaluate progress against those established goals.

recommendation icon
(U) Review of Ukraine Foreign Assistance Coordination and Oversight
ISP-I-23-18
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Kyiv, in coordination with the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, the Bureau of Budget and Planning, and the Office of Foreign Assistance, should update its Integrated Country Strategy.

recommendation icon
Inspection of Embassy Lomé, Togo
ISP-I-23-22
  1. Recommendation Number
    1
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should bring its grants program into compliance with Department standards.

  2. Recommendation Number
    2
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should maintain the consular information on its website in accordance with Department standards.

  3. Recommendation Number
    3
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should resolve fraud referrals in accordance with Department standards.

  4. Recommendation Number
    4
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should require that all accountable consular officers complete required training.

  5. Recommendation Number
    5
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should conduct namechecks on members of the American Liaison Network in accordance with Department standards.

  6. Recommendation Number
    6
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should implement standard operating procedures for key human resources processes, including eligible family member employment, locally employed staff position management, recruitment, time and attendance, and conduct-related issues.

  7. Recommendation Number
    7
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its safety, health, and environmental management program into compliance with Department standards.

  8. Recommendation Number
    8
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.

  9. Recommendation Number
    9
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should conduct spot checks of its expendable and nonexpendable property in accordance with Department standards.

  10. Recommendation Number
    10
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should comply with Department training standards on the use of powered industrial trucks, such as forklifts.

  11. Recommendation Number
    11
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should obtain authorization from the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations to use shipping containers for storage or remove them in accordance with Department standards.

  12. Recommendation Number
    12
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should bring its contracting officer’s representative program into compliance with Department standards.

  13. Recommendation Number
    13
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should implement a records management program that complies with Department standards.

  14. Recommendation Number
    14
    Closed Implemented

    Embassy Lomé should archive diplomatic notes in accordance with Department standards.

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7467 recommendations in total

Last Updated:

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

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

Read more about report definitions.

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