Ongoing Projects

To determine whether DHS' information security program and practices are adequate and effective in protecting the information and information systems that support DHS' operations and assets for FY 2018.

To assess FEMA and the Gov of the US Virgin Island's response and recovery activities as a result of the major disaster declaration.

Our objective is to determine whether DHS’s Customs and Border Protection and Canada’s Border Services Agency information sharing initiatives at ports of entry assist in preventing suspected terrorists, criminals and other inadmissible individuals from entering the United States.

Did the steps FEMA complete provide an effective review the New York/New Jersey Port Authority's request for FEMA Public Assistance grant funds for damages sustained to the Holland Tunnel as a result of Hurricane Sandy?

To evaluate the Analyze/Select phase of the acquisition of the barrier along the southwestern border.

Determine whether the Coast Guard Academy has effective processes for reporting, investigating, and taking corrective action in response to allegations of race or ethnicity-based discrimination.

The objective of these reviews are to determine whether the subrecipient's procurement policies, procedures, and business practices comply with Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Our objective is to assess the effectiveness of FEMA's Fraud Prevention and Investigation Branch in identifying and reporting potential fraud, waste, and abuse of disaster assistance funds provided under the Individuals and Households Program.

To evaluate CBP's efforts to develop and implement a biometric exit capability and assess whether biometric data collected at pilot locations has improved DHS's ability to verify departures.

Determine to what extent CBP has a purchasing strategy for meeting the needs of its large scale Non-Intrusive Inspection imaging equipment program at land, sea, and air points of entry.

Determine the effectiveness of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) air support in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV)

Determine the status of DHS' implementation of the Homeland Security Cybersecurity Assessment and Strategy Act.

Our objective is to determine whether the DHS Office of the Chief Security Officer has effectively implemented a Department-wide capability to monitor, detect, and respond to malicious insider threat activities on unclassified DHS systems and networks.

1. To determine whether DHS has effectively identified and prioritized mission-critical legacy IT systems and infrastructure for modernization.
2. Identify major challenges and operational impact associated with using and modernizing out-of-date IT.
3. Assess how the recent legislation and executive direction may help to address these challenges.
 

Assess the extent to which FEMA has implemented IT management practices mandated for Federal agencies, and identify challenges to ensuring the agency's IT systems adequately support its disaster response mission operations.

Determine whether FEMA's policies for maintaining and disposing of its manufactured housing units control program costs while optimizing its fulfillment of disaster-related housing needs.

Determine to what extent FEMA's planning for prepositioning contracts addresses identified capability deficiencies and needs.

To determine whether FEMA's public assistance grants to PREPA and PREPA's contracts with Whitefish Energy Holdings LLC and Cobra Acquisitions LLC comply with federal laws and regulations and PA program guidelines.

To determine the extent which FEMA designed and implemented effective internal controls for the TSA program to ensure it meets disaster survivors' needs.

To determine if FEMA's deployment and management DHS Surge Force  is effective in accomplishing its mission during disaster operations.

Audit of FEMA's Verification of Household Income

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has determined that the contractor shall serve as the principal auditor of the department's consolidated financial statements and perform procedures on the supplemental and other accompanying information included in the Agency Financial Report (AFR) as of and for the fiscal year (FY) ended September 30, 2016, and succeeding years, in accordance with Government Auditing Standards (GAS) issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, and subsequent revisions, and OMB Bulletin 15-02, Audit Requirements for Federal Financial Statements.

Department's effectiveness in coordinating efforts to secure the nation's election systems. Our review will focus on the Department's efforts to collaborate with State and Local election organizations to secure the election infrastructure and its related systems.

To determine whether the Transportation Security Administration's acquisition of Advanced Imaging Technology addresses needed capabilities.

Assess USCIS' process for tracking decisions that adjudicators make in CLAIMS3 and how USCIS uses automated data to support its quality assurance, fraud monitoring, and reporting processes.

Determine whether the subrecipient's policies, procedures, and business practices are adequate to account for and expend FEMA grant funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Determine to what extent CBP monitors Global Entry participants to ensure their continuous vetting and eligibility redetermination.

Determine whether CBP, ICE, TSA, and USSS appropriately report, investigate, and adjudicate employee allegations of sexual harassment and workplace sexual misconduct.

Determine the accuracy and compliance of CBP's Entry Reconciliation Program and Reporting.

To determine whether the subrecipient's procurement policies, procedures, and business practices comply with Federal procurement regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Determine whether the department and its components have sufficient processes and procedures to address conduct issues.

Determine to what extent FEMA Ensured Compliance with Contract Requirements on the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.

Determine whether TSA implements effective requirements and procedures to safeguard the sterile areas of our nation's airports.

To determine whether ICE's Criminal Alien Program successfully (1) identified removable aliens, (2) allowed ICE to prioritize and remove these aliens, (3) eliminated immigration and law enforcement research duplication through Secure Communities interoperability, and (4) ensured that officers fully documented their actions.

Determine whether DHS is helping critical infrastructures protect themselves from major attacks and providing measures required to prevent or reduce the impact of an attack.

To review Agency Spending on Conferences.

To conduct unannounced spot inspections of CBP and ICE conditions of detention.

Our objective is to assess DHS' program management approach to modernizing its financial systems, thereby ensuring accurate, timely, and reliable financial data and management reporting across the Department.

Determine how DHS, CBP, ICE, TSA, and USSS are currently addressing illegal and prescription opioid use for employees in Testing Designated Positions.

Determine whether CBP and ICE have training strategies and capabilities in place to train the 15,000 new agents and officers they plan to hire.

Determine if the Department and its components have controls in place to identify capability needs prior to acquiring goods and services.

Determine whether the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) non-criminal investigative officers meet workload requirements in accordance with Federal laws and regulations. Additionally, we will determine the additional cost to the taxpayers for  officers performing non-law enforcement duties and not meeting the workload requirements. We will likely issue multiple products.

Determine to what extent DHS components use available technologies to prevent Opioids and other illicit drugs from entering the country.

Determine whether DHS’ law enforcement officers meet investigative workload requirements in accordance with Federal laws and regulations. Additionally, we will determine the additional cost to the taxpayers for law enforcement officers performing non-law enforcement duties and not meeting the workload requirements.

Determine whether DHS and component nondisclosure agreements, including those used in employee settlement agreements, include statutory Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 and Department-mandated language allowing for protected disclosures to the OIG or other permissible recipients, and whether such nondisclosure agreements pose any other bar to the OIG's access to information.

To evaluate cooperation between DHS and DOJ components with respect to their criminal investigations along the Southwest border.

To determine the Department's effectiveness in managing its intelligence information program and IT systems for FY 2018.

Determine whether FEMA's Individuals and Households Program (IHP) for home repair and reconstruction has the necessary controls in place to verify applicants' insurance coverage.

To evaluate FEMA's efforts to mitigate the number of severe repetitive loss properties covered by the National Flood Insurance Program.

To determine the extent which FEMA provided oversight of debris operations for Hurricane Irma in GA and FL.

Determine whether FEMA exercises appropriate oversight of the use of IPAWS.

To assess FEMA and the State of Florida's response and recovery activities as a result of the major disaster declaration.

To assess FEMA and California's response and recovery activities as a result of the major disaster declaration.

To identify and report on systemic issues regarding FEMA's Transportation Assistance program for major disasters.

To determine if data and methods TSA uses for the Office of Inspection criminal investigators as law enforcement officers are adequate and valid.

CohnReznick LLP ("CohnReznick) has been contracted by the DHS-OIG) to provide risk assessment and audit services over the following DHS components Travel and Purchase Card Programs for fiscal year 2017 (October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2, TSA, CBP, ICE, FEMA, USCG).

To determine whether the subrecipient's procurement policies, procedures, and business practices comply with Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

To determine whether ICE has effective management and oversight of the 287(g) program as this initiative expands.

To evaluate: 1) whether ICE contracting mechanisms ensure immigration detention facilities' compliance with applicable detention standards; 2) whether the contract terms, including detention standards, can be circumvented; and 3) what consequences ICE can impose when contracted immigration detention facilities do not maintain standards.

To identify barriers to repatriation of detained aliens with final orders of removal.

To conduct ongoing unannounced inspections of ICE detention facilities to monitor compliance with select standards outlined in ICE's Performance-Based National Detention Standards.

To determine the effectiveness of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operation's strategy.

Determine if grantees or subgrantees accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

To determine whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency ensured the State of Missouri distributed, administered, and spent Homeland Security Grant Program funds strategically, effectively, and in compliance with laws, regulations and guidance. The audit will also address the extent to which funds awarded enhanced the ability to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters.

Determine if grantees or subgrantees accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Review the DHS annual report on all contracts and grants awarded through other than full and open competition during Fiscal Year 2017.

To determine the extent to which the oversight of public assistance funding by the State of Washington and FEMA is adequate and effective.

To determine whether the subrecipient's procurement policies, procedures, and business practices comply with Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Determine whether the practice of automatically terminating an individual’s DACA status upon issuance by ICE of a notice to appear in immigration court complies with relevant laws, rules, regulations, policy and guidance

Determine whether the content of the current version of CBP’s Border Patrol Agent Handbook is consistent with relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and best practices

To determine whether FEMA followed procurement laws, regulations, and procedures when awarding contracts to Bronze Star LLC.

Determine whether FPS inspector positions are properly classified and if inspectors are exceeding pay caps.

Analyze the process and control deficiencies resulting in FEMA paying its employees in excess of annual pay caps

The objectives are: 1) To assess FEMA's disaster preparedness related to supply distribution in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and, 2) To assess their management and distribution of supply commodities in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Analyze differences among DHS components relating to security clearance suspensions and revocations

To determine how many incidents of violence have occurred against CBP and ICE law enforcement personnel since fiscal year 2010 and assess whether the Department has taken proactive measures to mitigate the threats of violence faced by law enforcement personnel in the field.

Determine if grantees or subgrantees accounted for and expended FEMA funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Our objective is to determine whether the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans accounted for and expended FEMA funds according to Federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Our objective is to conduct ongoing unannounced spot inspections of DHS and contract detention facilities to monitor DHS compliance with health, safety, and civil rights standards outlined in CBP’s National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, and Search.

Conduct unannounced spot inspections of ICE detention facilities to monitor compliance with health, safety, and civil rights standards outlined in ICE’s Performance-Based National Detention Standards.

Determine how DHS has implemented computer security controls for their systems in the Cargo Areas at DHS Airports and Ports

Determine if grantees or subgrantees accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.

Department's effectiveness in coordinating efforts to secure the nation's election systems. Our review will focus on the Department's efforts to collaborate with State and Local election organizations to secure the election infrastructure and its related systems.

To understand the methodology for Federal Air Marshal international flight coverage and the capabilities for interdicting improvised explosive devices.

Determine whether TSA's current inspection process effectively identifies and mitigates aircraft tampering risks and how it works with the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at foreign repair stations that TSA cannot inspect.

The objective is to determine the extent to which the Transportation Security Administration's canine program can detect a variety of explosive items to safeguard the traveling public. Our audit will include an assessment of the quantity of canines, level of canine training, and accompanying procedures.

To evaluate how TSA hires, trains and retains its  employees.

Evaluate the Coast Guard's oversight of TWIC enforcement for regulated vessels and facilities.

Determine whether the United States Coast Guard enters Uniform Code of Military Justice violations into the National Crime Information Center database appropriately.

Determine the risk of control deficiencies identified in drawback claims.

To determine whether U.S. Customs and Border Protection awarded and managed its $297 million National Frontline Recruitment and Hiring Services contract in a fiscally responsible manner and in accordance with federal, departmental, and component requirements.

To determine to what extent the Coast Guard has taken action to mitigate the risks that Global Positioning System (GPS) disruption and cyber-attacks pose to efficient, safe maritime navigation in the Aids to Navigation Program.

Determine whether USCIS consistently captures the identity of adjudicators who made decisions on immigration applications and petitions in CLAIMS3, analyze and quantify the percentage of decisions entered into the system that cannot be tracked back to an adjudicator, and identify whether compensating controls exist.

The objective is to determine the adequacy, effectiveness, and timeliness of FEMA's corrective actions to address report recommendations issued in "FEMA Faces Challenges in Managing Information Technology," (OIG-16-10, November 20, 2015).

Determine if grantees or subgrantees accounted for and expended Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds according to federal regulations and FEMA guidelines.