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Audits, Inspections, and Evaluations

Report Number Title Issue Date Fiscal Year
OIG-13-18 The objectives of the State audits were to determine whether each State distributed and spent the grant funds (1) effectively and efficiently, and (2) in ompliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations. We also addressed the extent to which grant funds enhanced the States’ ability to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other manmade disasters. The audits included more than $924 million in State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative grants awarded to the 16 States and territories during 3-year periods between fiscal years 2006 and 2010.

>Annual Report to Congress on States’ and Urban Areas’ Management of Homeland Security Grant Programs Fiscal Year 2012 		2013
OIG-13-17 Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and other disasters up to December 31, 2010, FEMA disbursed more than $8 billion in assistance payments, some of which were later determined to have been improperly paid to individuals who were ineligible or who received duplicate payments. The debts in question arose in part because FEMA relaxed its internal controls in order to provide expedited delivery of assistance grants to displaced disaster survivors. The relaxed internal controls involved potential payments of $621.6 million to 167,488 recipients. After reviewing all of the cases, FEMA reduced that original estimate and determined that 91,178 recipients, who received more than $371 million, were candidates for recoupment. According to FEMA, there is sufficient justification to waive the debt obligations and not to recoup payment from the other 76,310 recipients, who collectively received more than $250 million in disaster assistance.

>FEMA’s Efforts To Recoup Improper Payments in Accordance With the Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2011 (4) 		2013
OIG-13-09 The attached report presents our fiscal year 2012 assessment of the major management challenges facing the Department. As required by the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-531), we update our assessment of management challenges annually. As stipulated, the report summarizes what the Inspector General considers to be the most serious management and performance challenges facing the agency and briefly assesses the agency’s progress in addressing those challenges.

>Major Management Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security (Revised) 		2013
OIG-13-16 The objectives of the audit were to determine whether the State distributed and spent State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative grant funds (1) effectively and efficiently and (2) in compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations. We also addressed the extent to which grant funds enhanced the State’s ability to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other manmade disasters. The State was awarded $35,209,566 in Homeland Security Grant Program funds from fiscal years 2008 to 2010. This included $33,851,300 in State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative grants that were subawarded to a total of one grantee and 48 subgrantees. Among the State’s subgrantees are cities, towns, and State agencies.

>The State of Rhode Island's Management of State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Securty Initiative Grants Awarded During Fiscal Years 2008 Through 2010 		2013
OIG-13-15 Thirteen days after Hurricane Sandy’s landfall, 166,649 residential customers across three States - New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut - remained without power, in large part because of damage to their electrical systems, which prevented the electric utility companies from restoring power to their homes. Without additional government assistance, many of these homes could be without power during winter months, thus creating an immediate and undue threat to public health and safety. In response to this need, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) established the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) pilot program, enabling residents to return to or remain in their homes as a form of shelter while permanent repairs are completed. This pr ogram will reduce the number of people in shelters or in the Transitional Shelter Assistance Program.

>FEMA’s Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Pilot Program 		2013
OIG-13-11 We audited the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program to determine the accuracy of nformation used to validate an applicant’s immigration status when the applicant had been ordered deported. Our objectives were (1) to assess whether the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program uses accurate and up-to-date information to validate immigration status of deportable, removable, and excludable individuals, and (2) if Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements is not using accurate information, to determine the rate of error with respect to verification of these individuals’ status.

>Improvements Needed for SAVE To Accurately Determine Immigration Status of Individuals Ordered Deported (Revised) 		2013
OIG-13-14 his report is the result of a June 2011 letter from Congressman John L. Mica, U.S. House of Representatives, requesting that we provide updated information on our 2008 report, Transportation Security Administration’s National Deployment Force. The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) National Deployment Force officers support airport screening operations during emergencies, seasonal demands, severe weather conditions, or increased passenger activity equiring additional screening personnel above those normally available to airports. In addition, officers may support other TSA functions as described in table 1 of our report.

>TSA’s National Deployment Force – FY 2012 Follow-Up 		2013
DA-13-08 As of December 13, 2011, the City received PA awards totaling $12.2 million from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (State), a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, which occurred in September 2004. The awards provided 100 percent FEMA funding for the first 72 hours of debris removal and emergency protective measures undertaken during the disaster and 90 percent funding thereafter. The awards also provided 90 percent funding for permanent repairs to buildings and other facilities. The awards consisted of 25 large projects and 62 small projects. Table 1 identifies the specifics for each disaster.

>FEMA Should Recover $470,244 of Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to the City of Lake Worth, Florida - Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne 		2013
OIG-13-12 The Department of Homeland Security Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) focuses on the use of visible, unpredictable deterrents to reduce risk to transit systems. Transit Security Grants fund capital projects including Multi-User High-Density Key Infrastructure Protection, Single-User High-Density Key Infrastructure Protection, Key Operating Asset Protection, and other mitigation activities. These construction grants pay for infrastructure improvements such as installation of anti-terrorist barriers at tunnel entrances and security systems for underground and underwater infrastructure. In addition, Transit Security Grants also fund canine, mobile explosives detection screening, and anti-terrorism teams. FEMA allocated $72.2 million to four transit security capital projects and $77.8 million to 15 transit security terrorist teams.

>Costs Claimed by the Chicago Transit Authority for the Subway Security and SCADA Project – Video Analytics and Intrusion Detection, and the Public Transport Anti-Terrorism Team Program, Grant Numbers 2009-RA-RI-0106 and 2009-RA-RI-0093 		2013
OIG-13-13 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act , as amended, to expand its staff size temporarily to respond to major disasters and emergencies. Disaster assistance employees (DAEs) fulfill this role by performing key program, technical, and administrative functions during disasters. DAEs are excepted-service intermittent employees, either cadre reservists or local hires. Cadre reservists have an initial appointment of no more than 24 months that expires on September 30 of each year ending in an even number (e.g., 2010), and may not work for more than 78 weeks (or 18 months) during the 104-week appointment period. FEMA measures deployments during the same 2-year period from October 1 through September 30 of each even-numbered year, regardless of whether an employee was already a FEMA employee at the beginning of the period or was hired during the period. Local hires have an initial appointment of 120 days, which is renewable.

>Federal Emergency Management Agency Needs To Improve Its Internal Controls Over the Use of Disaster Assistance Employees 		2013
DA-13-07 Our audit objective was to determine whether the Utility accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. As of January 4,2012, the Utility received a PA award of $3.2 million from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (State), a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding, which occurred in February 2008. The award provided 75 percent FEMA funding for emergency protective measures and electrical , repair work. The award included three large projects and two small projects.

>FEMA Should Recover $701,028 of Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division – Severe Weather February 2008 		2013
DA-13-06 Our audit objective was to determine whether the Town accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. As of November 7, 2011, the Town received a PA award of $4.6 million from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (State), a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from Hurricane Katrina, which occurred in August 2005. The award provided 100percent FEMA funding for debris removal activities, construction of a 5-year emergency berm, and repair to roads. The award consisted of large projects and 29 small projects.

>FEMA Should Recover $894,764 of Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to the Town of Dauphin Island, Alabama – Hurricane Katrina 		2013
DA-13-05 Our audit objective was to determine whether the Utility accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. AS of January 4, 2012, the Utility received a PA award of $7.9 million from Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (State) a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred in June 2009. The award provided 75 percent FEMA funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent electrical repair work. The award included three large projects.

>FEMA Should Recover $2.2 Million of Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division - Severe Weather, June 2009 		2013
DA-13-04 Our audit objective was to determine whether the City accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. As of December 13, 2011, the City received a PA award of $12.4 million from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (State), a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from Hurricane Wilma, which occurred in October 2005. The award provided 100 percent FEMA funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent repairs to buildings and other facilities. The award consisted of 15 large projects and 31 small projects

>FEMA Should Recover $7.7 Million of Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to the City of Lake Worth, Florida - Hurricane Wilma 		2013
OIG-13-20 The attached report presents the results of the u.s. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) financial statements audit for fiscal year (FY) 2012 and the results of an examination of internal control over financial reporting of those financial statements. These are mandatory audits required by the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, as amended by the Department of Homeland Security Financial Accountability Act of 2004. This report is incorporated in the Department's FY 2012 Annual Financial Report. We contracted with the independent public accounting firm KPMG LLP (KPMG) to perform the integrated audit.

>Independent Auditors' Report on DHS' FY 2012 Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting 		2013
OIG-13-10 The objectives of the audit were to determine whether the Commonwealth of Virginia distributed and spent State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative grant funds (1) effectively and efficiently and (2) in compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations. We also addressed the extent to which grant funds enhanced the Commonwealth’s ability to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other manmade disasters. The audit included a review of $90 million in State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative grants awarded to the Commonwealth during fiscal years 2008 through 2010.

>The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Management of State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative Grants Awarded During Fiscal Years 2008 Through 2010 		2013
DS-13-01 Our audit objective was to determine whether the Department accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. The Department received a PA award of $670,251 from the California Emergency Management Agency Cal EMA), a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from severe storms, flooding, mudslides, and landslides, which occurred from March 29 to April 16, 2006. The award provided 75 percent FEMA funding for four large and eight small 2 projects.The audit covered the period from March 29, 2006, to October 12, 2012. We audited two large projects that incurred charges totaling $280, 112. We also performed a limited review of three small projects and two large projects to identify unused funds that should be put to better use (see Exhibit, Schedule of Audited Projects). As of the date of this report, Cal EMA had completed its review and FEMA was reviewing the Department's final claim.

>The California Department of Parks and Recreation Sacramento, California, Successfully Managed FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Funds 		2013
DD-13-01 Our audit objective was to determine whether the Authority accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), a FEMA grantee, awarded the Authority $122.39 million for damages resulting from Hurricane Katrina, which occurred on August 29, 2005. The award provided 100 percent funding for 71 large and 44 small projects. The audit covered the period August 29, 2005, through January 27,2011, the cutoff date of our audit, and included a review of 28 large and 17 small projects totaling $86.25 million, or 70.5 percent of the total award (see Exhibit A, Schedule of Projects Audited and Questioned Cost). As of our cutoff date, the Authority had claimed $55.22 million, but had not completed all projects.

>Regional Transit Authority Needs To Insure Equipment or Forgo $62 Million in FEMA Public Assistance Funds, New Orleans, Louisiana 		2013
OIG-13-08 Regis & Associates, PC performed an audit of the State of Illinois’ management of the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Areas Security Initiative grants for Fiscal Years 2006 through 2008. The audit was performed in accordance with Contract Number TPD-FIGBPA-07014; Task Order 0001, dated September 29, 2009. This report presents the results of the audit, and includes recommendations to help improve the State of Illinois’ management of the audited Urban Areas Security Initiative grants.

>The State of Illinois’ Management of Urban Areas Security Initiative Grants Awarded During Fiscal Years 2006 Through 2008 		2013
DA-13-03 Our audit objective was to determine whether the University accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. As of October 31,2011, the University received a Public Assistance award of $41.1 million from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (State), a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from Hurricane Katrina, which occurred in August 2005. The award provided 100 percent FEMA funding for emergency protective measures and repair of buildings, equipment, utilities, and recreational facilities damaged as a esult of the disaster. The aw ard included 118 arge and 202 small projects.

>FEMA Should Recover $5.3 Million of Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to the University of Southern Mississippi – Hurricane Katrina 		2013
DA-13-02 Our audit objective was to determine whether the Town accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines, As of November 11, 2011, the Town had received PA awards totaling $5.5 million from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (State), a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which occurred in August and September 2008, respectively. The awards provided 75 percent FEMA funding for debris removal activities and repair of damaged roads and culverts. Table 1 identifies the specifics for each disaster.

>FEMA Should Recover $2.8 Million of Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to the Town of Dauphin Island, Alabama – Hurricanes Gustav and Ike 		2013
DA-13-01 Our audit objective was to determine whether the Town accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines. As of November 7, 2011, the Town received a PA award of $2.5 million from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (State), a FEMA grantee, for damages resulting from Tropical Storm Ida, which occurred in November 2009. The award provided 75 percent FEMA funding for debris removal activities and repairs to roads and park facilities. The award consisted of three large and seven small projects.

>FEMA Should Deobligate $226,096 of Unneeded Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to the Town of Dauphin Island, Alabama – Tropical Storm Ida 		2013
OIG-13-07 The Visa Waiver Program was established in 1986 to promote international tourism without jeopardizing U.S. security. The program allows nationals from designated countries to enter the United States and stay for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate. Currently, there are 36 Visa Waiver Program countries. The Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to assess the law enforcement and security risks of Visa Waiver Program countries, and terminate a country from the Visa Waiver Program if necessary.

>The Visa Waiver Program 		2013
OIG-13-06 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) includes an amalgamation of organizations that work together to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other threats. Such collaboration requires that components establish effective communication among external and internal partners during operations. DHS established an internal goal of developing interoperable radio communications and identified common channels, and its components invested about $430 million in equipment, infrastructure, and maintenance to meet communication requirements. We performed this audit to determine whether DHS’ oversight ensured achievement of Department-wide interoperable radio communications.

>DHS’ Oversight of Interoperable Communications 		2013
OIG-13-05 The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing Office was established as the lead for conducting security threat assessments and credentialing initiatives for domestic passengers on public and commercial modes of transportation, transportation industry workers, and individuals seeking access to critical infrastructure. Two programs, the Secure Flight Operations Center and the Security Threat Assessment Operations Adjudication Center, were established to conduct case-specific adjudications of potential threats to transportation security. In 2010, TSA initiated an administration-wide restructuring that includes reviewing all personnel position descriptions and realigning Transportation Threat Assessment and credentialing Office functions under other TSA offices.

>Personnel Security and Internal Control at TSA’s Legacy Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing Office 		2013
OIG-13-04 We conducted an independent evaluation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) information security program and practices to comply with the requirements of the Federal Information Security Management Act. In evaluating DHS’ progress in implementing its agency-wide information security program, we specifically assessed the Department’s plans of action and milestones, security authorization processes, and continuous monitoring programs. We performed fieldwork at both the program and component levels.

>Evaluation of DHS’ Information Security Program for Fiscal Year 2012 		2013
OIG-13-03 On September 29, 2009, FEMA awarded a Transit Security Grant of $48,286,592 (number 2009-RA-RI-0105) to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port). The purpose of the grant is to fund exterior and interior mitigation measures to strengthen the PATH rail tunnels connecting cities in northern New Jersey to Manhattan. Reimbursement for eligible project costs is based on the grant agreement; Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State,Local and Indian Tribal Governments, Revised; and FEMA guidance. As of March 31, 2012, the Port had claimed project costs totaling $42,020,112. The costs covered the period from September 1, 2009, through March 31, 2012.

>Costs Claimed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Under Transit Security Grant No. 2009-RA-R1-0105 		2013
OIG-13-02 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), as amended, appropriated $210 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for competitive grants for modifying, upgrading, or constructing non-Federal fire stations. On September 25, 2009, FEMA awarded a grant of $4,007,374 to Snoqualmie Pass Fire & Rescue to construct a new fire station. The grant specified a period of performance from September 25, 2009, to September 24, 2012. As of April 15, 2012, Snoqualmie Pass Fire & Rescue had completed the construction of the new fire station (see figure 1) and had received reimbursements of $4,007,374 from FEMA for project design, engineering, construction, and management.

>Costs Claimed by Snoqualmie Pass, WA, Fire & Rescue Under Fire Station Construction Grant Number EMW-2009-FC-02883R 		2013
OIG-13-01 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requested that we audit the grant (EMW-2009-FC-06054R) to Volunteer Fire and Rescue of Harrison Township (Fire and Rescue). FEMA asked for the audit to help resolve concerns over delays by Fire and Rescue in initiating the project and allegations about the size and location of the project and the award of construction contracts. Fire and Rescue requested and received a grant of $1,149,490 for construction of a new fire station. The grant specified a period of performance from September 25, 2009, to September 24, 2012. As of January 23, 2012, Fire and Rescue had broken ground for the new station and had incurred costs of $76,591 for plans, building materials, and other initial project costs. Fire and Rescue has billed for and received from FEMA reimbursement of $10,000.

>Costs Incurred by Volunteer Fire and Rescue of Harrison Township, IN, Under Station Construction Grant Number EMW 2009 FC 06054R 		2013
OIG-12-133  

>Department of Homeland Security Compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation Revisions on Proper Use and Management of Cost-Reimbursement Contracts 		2012
OIG-12-131 U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Penalty Process – Statute of Limitations 2012
OIG-12-128  

>TSA Management and Oversight at Honolulu International Airport (Redacted) 		2012
OIG-12-132  

>CBP’s Strategy to Address Illicit Cross Border Tunnels 		2012
OIG-12-130 The Performance of 287(g) Agreements FY 2012 Follow-Up 2012
OIG-12-129 Costs Invoiced for Checked Baggage Inspection Systems and Closed-Circuit Television Cameras at Orlando International Airport 2012
OIG-12-120  

>Transportation Security Administration Has Taken Steps To Address the Insider Threat But Challenges Remain (Redacted) 		2012
OIG-12-127  

>FEMA’s Efforts To Recoup Improper Payments in Accordance with the Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2011 (3) 		2012
OIG-12-126 Costs Claimed by Sumter County, FL, Fire Rescue under Fire Station Construction Grant Number EMW-2009-FC-05940R 2012
OIG-12-125  

>U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program Issues 		2012
OIG-12-124  

>The State of Utah’s Management of Urban Areas Security Initiative Grants Awarded During Fiscal Years 2008 Through 2010 		2012
OIG-12-123 Costs Invoiced by Sacramento County for a Checked Baggage Screening Project Under Agreement Number HSTS04-09-H-REC148 2012
OIG-12-122  

>State of Kansas’ Management of State Homeland Security Program Grants Awarded During Fiscal Years 2008 Through 2010 		2012
OIG-12-121  

>Costs Invoiced by the Omaha Airport Authority for Closed Circuit Television Cameras at Omaha Eppley Airfield Airport 		2012
OIG-12-119  

>Annual Review of the United States Coast Guard’s Mission Performance (FY 2011) 		2012
DD-12-20  

>FEMA Public Assistance Grant Funds Awarded to St. Charles Parish, Louisiana 		2012
OIG-12-118  

>FEMA’s Management of Corrective Actions and Lessons Learned From National Level Exercises 		2012
OIG-12-107  

>Adherence to Acquisition Management Policies Will Help Reduce Risks to the Technology Integration Program (Revised) 		2012
OIG-12-117  

>Customs and Border Protection's Office of Regulatory Audit 		2012
OIG-12-116  

>The State of Arkansas’ Management of State Homeland Security Program Grants Awarded, During Fiscal Years 2008 Through 2010 		2012
OIG-12-115  

>Review of DHS' Information Security Program for Intelligence Systems for Fiscal Year 2012 		2012

*NDAA, Pub. L. 117-263, section 5274 Response Received. View responses

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