ML21224A020
| ML21224A020 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/12/2021 |
| From: | Rivera E NRC/OIG/AIGA |
| To: | Margaret Doane NRC/EDO |
| References | |
| OIG-21-A-11 | |
| Download: ML21224A020 (5) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL August 12, 2021 MEMORANDUM TO: Margaret M. Doane Executive Director for Operations FROM: Eric Rivera /RA/
Acting Assistant Inspector General for Audit
SUBJECT:
STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS: AUDIT OF THE U.S.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS GRANTS PRE- AWARD AND AWARD PROCESSES (OIG-21-A-11)
REFERENCE:
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR MATERIALS, WASTE, RESEARCH, STATE, TRIBAL, COMPLIANCE, ADMINISTRATION, AND HUMAN CAPITAL PROGRAMS, OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS, MEMORANDUM DATED JULY 7, 2021 Attached is the Office of the Inspector Generals (OIG) analysis and status of recommendations as discussed in the agencys response dated July 7, 2021. Based on this response, recommendations one and two remain open and resolved.
Recommendations three and four are now closed. Would you please provide an updated status of the resolved recommendations by February 7, 2022.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (301) 415-7032 or Terri Cooper, Team Leader, at (301) 415-5965.
Attachment:
As stated cc: C. Haney, OEDO J. Jolicoeur, OEDO S. Mroz, OEDO S. Miotla, OEDO RidsEdoMailCenter Resource OIG Liaison Resource EDO_ACS Distribution
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS GRANTS PRE-AWARD AND AWARD PROCESSES OIG-21-A-11 Status of Recommendations Recommendation 1: Revise agency policies to require:
A. A review of applicants geographic diversity, diversity in technical disciplines, prior award performance issues, number of prior NRC awards, and current unexpended grant funds, include the NRC staff responsible for the review, and B. A review of the NRCs suspended Automated Standard Application for Payments account list to determine applicants performance histories, including the NRC staff responsible for the review.
Agency Response Dated July 7, 2021: Agree. The Office of Administration (ADM) will update agency policies to require 1) a review of applicants geographic diversity, diversity in technical disciplines, prior award performance issues, number of prior NRC awards, and current unexpended grant funds, include the NRC staff responsible for the review, and 2) a review of the NRCs suspended Automated Standard Application for Payments account list to determine applicants performance histories, including the NRC staff responsible for the review. The target completion date is December 31, 2021.
OIG Analysis: The proposed actions meet the intent of the recommendation. Accordingly, the OIG will close this recommendation when the agency updates policies to:
require a review of applicants geographic diversity, diversity in technical disciplines, prior award performance issues, number of prior NRC awards, and current unexpended grant funds; include the NRC staff responsible for the review; and, a review of the NRCs suspended Automated Standard Application for Payments account list to determine applicants performance histories, including the NRC staff responsible for the review.
Status: Open: Resolved.
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS GRANTS PRE-AWARD AND AWARD PROCESSES OIG-21-A-11 Status of Recommendations Recommendation 2: Develop agency guidance for when to use additional and specific conditions into grant agreements for awardees that have prior inconsistent application of grant requirements.
Agency Response Dated July 7, 2021: Agree. The Office of Administration will develop agency guidance for when to use additional and specific conditions into grant agreements for awardees that have prior inconsistent application of grant requirements. The target completion date is December 31, 2021.
OIG Analysis: The proposed action meets the intent of the recommendation. Accordingly, the OIG will close this recommendation when the agency develops guidance for when to use additional and specific conditions into grant agreements for awardees that have prior inconsistent application of grant requirements.
Status: Open: Resolved.
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS GRANTS PRE-AWARD AND AWARD PROCESSES OIG-21-A-11 Status of Recommendations Recommendation 3: Implement a requirement whereby the grant application shall require the validation of citizenship status or lawful admittance to the United States as a permanent resident, for individuals proposed in the grant application.
Agency Response Dated July 7, 2021: Agree. The FY2021 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) included language requiring applicants to self-certify their citizenship status and/or admission to the United States as a permanent resident. The citizenship requirements clause in the FOA also states that that the NRC reserves the right to take any number of administrative actions (e.g.,
disallow costs, termination) should the recipient violate their responsibility under this clause.
OIG Analysis: The proposed action meets the intent of the recommendation. The OIG has reviewed and verified that the 2021 FOA includes language requiring applicants to self-certify their citizenship status and admission to the United States as permanent residents. The citizenship requirements also state that the NRC reserves the right to take any number of administrative actions (e.g., disallow costs, termination) should the recipient violate their responsibility under this clause. This recommendation is therefore closed.
Status: Closed.
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS GRANTS PRE-AWARD AND AWARD PROCESSES OIG-21-A-11 Status of Recommendations Recommendation 4: Develop and implement a process to ensure all grant documents and records are uploaded to the appropriate electronic repository.
Agency Response Dated July 7, 2021: Agree. All grant awards and associated documentation are completely electronic, and beginning in FY2019, a checklist for completeness is included in each electronic file.
Documentation from grant files that were previously partially paper and partially electronic have been scanned and uploaded to STAQS.
OIG Analysis: The proposed action meets the intent of the recommendation. The OIG verified by sample, grant awards, and associated documentation is completely electronic in STAQS. In addition, the OIG confirmed that grant pre-award checklists were completed and included in electronic grant files. Documentation of grant files is now fully uploaded to STAQS. This recommendation is therefore closed.
Status: Closed.