Table Of Content

SPRING/SUMMER 2011 Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE 3. DATES COVERED 2011 2. REPORT TYPE 00-00-2011 to 00-00-2011 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER The Journal of Public Inquiry. Spring/Summer 2011 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity & Efficiency ,1717 H REPORT NUMBER Street NW Suite 825,Washington,DC,20006 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF ABSTRACT OF PAGES RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE Same as 72 unclassified unclassified unclassified Report (SAR) Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 Council of Inspectors General Invitation to Contribute Articles on Integrity and Efficiency to the Journal of Public Inquiry Members of the Council The Journal of Public Inquiry is a publication of the Inspectors General The Inspector General Reform Agency for International Development Department of Interior of the United States. We solicit articles Act of 2008 created the Council Department of Agriculture U.S. International Trade Commission Amtrak Department of Justice from professionals and scholars on of Inspectors General on Appalachian Regional Commission Department of Labor Integrity and Efficiency. This topics important to the Inspector Architect of the Capitol Legal Services Corporation statutory council supersedes General community. U.S. Capitol Police Library of Congress the former President’s Council Central Intelligence Agency National Aeronautics and Space on Integrity and Efficiency and Department of Commerce Administration Articles should be approximately Executive Council on Integrity Commodity Futures Trading Commission National Archives four to six pages (2,000-3,500 words), Consumer Product Safety Commission National Credit Union Administration and Efficiency, established under Corporation for National and Community National Endowment for the Arts single-spaced, and submitted to: Executive Order 12805. Service National Endowment for the Humanities Corporation for Public Broadcasting National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency By email: The CIGIE mission is to Defense Intelligence Agency National Labor Relations Board [email protected] address integrity, economy, and The Denali Commission National Science Foundation effectiveness issues that transcend Department of Defense National Reconnaissance Office Office of the Director of National Nuclear Regulatory Commission individual government agencies By mail: Intelligence National Security Agency and increase the professionalism Department of Defense Department of Education Office of Personnel Management and effectiveness of personnel by Election Assistance Commission Peace Corps Inspector General developing policies, standards, Department of Energy Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation 4800 Mark Center Drive and approaches to aid in the Environmental Protection Agency Postal Regulatory Commission Alexandria, VA 22350 establishment of a well-trained Equal Employment Opportunity U.S. Postal Service Commission Railroad Retirement Board and highly skilled workforce in Export-Import Bank of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission the Offices of Inspectors General. Farm Credit Administration Small Business Administration Federal Communications Commission Smithsonian Institution CIGIE is led by Chair Phyllis K. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Social Security Administration Fong, Inspector General of the Federal Election Commission Special Inspector General for Afghanistan U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Housing Finance Board Reconstruction Federal Labor Relations Authority Special Inspector General for Iraq and Vice Chair Carl Clinefelter, Federal Maritime Commission Reconstruction Inspector General of the Farm Federal Reserve Board Department of State Credit Administration. The Federal Trade Commission Tennessee Valley Authority membership of the CIGIE General Services Administration Department of Transportation Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the Journal Journal includes 73 inspectors general Government Accountability Office Department of Treasury of Public Inquiry are those of the authors. They from the following federal Government Printing Office Treasury Inspector General for Tax Department of Health and Human Services Administration do not represent the opinions or policies of any agencies: of Public Inquiry Department of Homeland Security Special Inspector General for the Troubled department or agency of the U.S. government. Department of Housing and Urban Asset Relief Program Development Department of Veterans Affairs LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF T ime and information are prevailing currencies in the digital age. The federal government capitalizes on technological advancements to create a more efficient environment and provides value for the American public through transparency and timeliness. This issue of the Journal of Public Inquiry showcases nine articles and one congressional testimony filled with innovative ideas from across the spectrum of inspectors general on how to best leverage new capabilities while effectively utilizing current ones — and ultimately working to ensure that the federal government is a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Developments in technology have created opportunities for outreach and collaboration within the federal government and the IG community. Barriers of time and distance have been broken down, allowing people to come together to solve problems and spot trends. The rewards of new technology are innumerable; however, it is not without risk. While the IG community continues to embrace technology as a means to further its mission, we must analyze risks and take the necessary steps to safeguard information and protect privacy. CIGIE has made great strides in this area over the past year. The Information Technology Committee has explored cloud computing contract concerns and developed recommended language to allow for IG access to data, has worked to identify IG community capabilities and needs in the area of computer forensics, and developed a new checklist for assessing conformity with computer forensics standards. The Homeland Security Roundtable has produced the Management Advisory Report on Cybersecurity, as well as a report on Recommended Practices for Office of Inspectors General Use of New Media, and is continuing with work in both of these areas. These initiatives are significant contributions that facilitate the ability of the IG community to analyze risk and leverage technology. Several articles in this issue of the Journal explore opportunities to incorporate technology as a way to bring together individuals in non-traditional formats to enact positive change and develop department-wide best practices. This issue also highlights the need to adapt the best practices of private industry sectors to government operations. Private industry incentivizes streamlining and simplifying business processes —“do more with less.” OIGs and their respective departments can address efficiencies in order to establish leaner business operations. Offices of Inspectors General should not forget the tools already available while looking toward the future. The effective usage of suspension and debarment programs discussed in this issue reiterates the value of administrative actions as well as dispelling common myths. Suspensions and debarments protect government interests by excluding companies and individuals that are not responsible from participating in federal contracts. This issue emphasizes the diverse areas of oversight of the IG community and our shared endeavor to detect and deter fraud, waste, and abuse, and promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the federal government. I would like to thank the authors and editorial board for contributing their insight and expertise to this edition of the Journal. Lynne M. Halbrooks Acting Inspector General Department of Defense Department of Defense Inspector General Staff Editor-in-Chief Lynne M. Halbrooks Publisher John R. Crane Editor Jennifer M. Plozai Graphic Design Jacob A. Brown CIGIE Liaison David R. Gross Legal Editor Paul W. Knoth Editorial Asst. Jamie L. Critchfield Publication Asst. Eric S. Jewett Journal Editorial Board Gregory H. Friedman Inspector General Department of Energy J. Russell George Inspector General Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Mary L. Kendall Acting Inspector General Department of the Interior Allison Lerner Inspector General National Science Foundation Richard Moore Inspector General Tennessee Valley Authority Kathleen S. Tighe Inspector General Department of Education Journal of Public Inquiry Returning America’s Art to America 1 Written by Inspector General Brian Miller General Services Administration Office of Inspector General Department of Defense Inspector General Staff 7 OIG Launches “Innovative Practices” Website Tool Written by Misha King Department of State Office of Inspector General Editor-in-Chief Lynne M. Halbrooks Publisher John R. Crane 11 Improving Opportunities for Veteran-Owned Small Business through the Federal Government Editor Jennifer M. Plozai Written by Belinda Finn and James O’Neill Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Graphic Design Jacob A. Brown Innovative Approach to Solving Audit Issues: The 19 CIGIE Liaison David R. Gross Cooperative Audit Resolution and Oversight Initiative Written by Richard Rasa Legal Editor Paul W. Knoth Department of Education Office of Inspector General Editorial Asst. Jamie L. Critchfield 25 The Role of the Postal Service in the Digital Age Written by David Asher and Bruce Marsh Publication Asst. Eric S. Jewett U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Suspension and Debarment Program: A Powerful Tool 31 Journal Editorial Board to Promote Contractor Accountability in Contingency Environments Gregory H. Friedman Written by Acting Inspector General Steven Trent and Brian Persico Inspector General Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction Department of Energy Suspension and Debarment: Debunking Myths and 37 Suggesting Practices for Offices of Inspectors General J. Russell George Written by Inspectors General Allison Lerner and Steve Linick Inspector General National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General Treasury Inspector General for Federal Housing Finance Division Office of Inspector General Tax Administration 43 Electronic Access Discovery and Information Security in Mary L. Kendall the Inspector General Community Acting Inspector General Written by Colin Carriere Department of the Interior Amtrak Office of Inspector General Allison Lerner 51 Railroad Medicare Fraud Detection Contracts: Lessons Inspector General Learned National Science Foundation Written by Inspector General Martin Dickman Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General Richard Moore Doing More with Less: How Export Credit Agencies are Inspector General 57 Using Performance Metrics to Improve Customer Service Tennessee Valley Authority Written by Mark Thorum Export-Import Bank Office of Inspector General Kathleen S. Tighe b Denotes the end of an article. Inspector General Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the Journal of Public Inquiry are those of the Department of Education authors. They do not represent the opinions or policies of any department or agency of the U.S. government. 1 Journal of Public Inquiry Returning America’s Art to America By Inspector General Brian Miller During the New Deal era, the U.S. government an abundance of New Deal art, much of which is paid artists to produce art as part of several federal still in existence today. GSA, as the custodian of per- art programs, most notable of which is the Works sonal property belonging to the United States, is now Progress Administration, Federal Art Project. In the the official custodian of that artwork. For a variety intervening decades, however, many of the remaining of reasons, however, much of that artwork has been works of art have been lost or stolen and are scattered misplaced. In many cases, the artwork was given as throughout the country. Since the U.S. government unauthorized gifts or simply abandoned. commissioned the artwork, these pieces are the right- ful property of the United States and its citizens. To “...our awareness efforts, restore America’s art to America, the General Services cooperation, and dedication to Administration Office of Inspector General has un- dertaken a far-reaching effort to recover these histori- restoring this heritage have led to cally invaluable artworks. GSA OIG has been working closely with GSA’s Fine Arts Program, creating the recovery of 78 pieces of art.” important alliances that are valuable not just to this effort, but also to OIG’s other oversight activities. GSA OIG has also been working to increase aware- INITIAL INVESTIGATIVE EFFORTS ness of the artwork recovery efforts through outreach When we began this program, it was based largely on to the public. Outreach to the public on this topic tips and regular checks at auction sites and Internet of general interest has led to the recovery of several sites such as e-Bay for WPA art. artworks that can now be admired by the public. This We have been working closely with the FAP at project also helped to establish better understanding GSA, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the and appreciation of the vital oversight functions of fine art community to locate, identify and recover the Office of Inspector General. To date, our aware- the missing artwork. When OIG identifies a poten- ness efforts, cooperation and dedication to restoring tial New Deal artwork, we contact the possessor of this heritage have led to the recovery of 78 pieces of the artwork and provide a legal explanation of the art. federal government’s claim to the artwork. We ask the possessor to maintain care and possession of the BACKGROUND OF NEW DEAL FEDERAL artwork until title research is complete. We notify the ART PROGRAMS Department of Justice in case assistance is necessary. During the New Deal era from 1933 to 1943, federal If we determine that the artwork is federal property, art programs had several different methods to create OIG and FAP will work with the possessor to return works of art for public use. Some programs were set up the art, which is then placed at a public location for to provide economic relief and paid artists an hourly all to enjoy. wage. In 1934, an artist was paid up to $42 per week, We quickly realized that maintaining 70- or as long as he or she turned in a finished piece of art 80-year-old artwork is no small feat and we would each week. Other programs involved competitions to not be able to retrieve these pieces if it were not for commission murals and sculptures for specific sites the care and efforts of those who preserved them. We within public buildings. These programs generated also came to realize that we needed more public out- Visit www.ignet.gov 2 reach to have a larger impact and that we would get gory. The Telly awards honor the finest video and more tips, including people voluntarily returning art, film productions. The film is available at http:// if we could more effectively get our message out. www.gsa.gov/portal/content/194049. • Second, we appeared on the Antiques Roadshow GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT episode in Washington, DC, over the 2011 Me- We reached out to the public using the two following morial Day weekend. The show included inter- means: views that explained the WPA and our efforts • First, we worked closely with GSA to produce a to recover lost art. To highlight our message, a 22-minute documentary film on the New Deal WPA painting was valued at $725,000 during Art Recovery Project entitled “Returning Amer- that show. ica’s Art to America.” Charles Osgood, radio and These efforts significantly increased our outreach, television commentator, agreed to narrate the serving as a kind of “wanted poster” for lost art and 2010 film, which includes interviews with those led to other individuals contacting us to return lost who have participated in this project, such as artwork. those who have returned New Deal artwork they possessed, art historians, investigators, Public Art SIGNIFICANT EXAMPLES OF RECOVERIES Program staff and federal prosecutors. OIG and FAP have recovered New Deal art that had The film was released at a premiere at the been purchased for $7 at a yard sale, sold on eBay, Detroit Institute of Art in October 2010, and in bought at antique shops and found in attics. November 2010, the film was part of an anni- versary celebration at the Roosevelt Museum in “GULLS AT MONHEGAN” Hyde Park, N.Y. In 2011, the film won a bronze Andrew Winter’s “Gulls at Monhegan” was recovered “Telly” award in the government relations cate- after the United States filed a writ of replevin. A rela- GULLS AT MONHEGAN 3 Journal of Public Inquiry tive of a former U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica came “FOURTEENTH STREET AT SIXTH into possession of this painting, which had hung in AVENUE” the U.S. Embassy at San Jose. Apparently the paint- John Sloan’s painting is the one that was valued at ing was given to the ambassador when he retired. $750,000 during the Antiques Road Show. The his- When the relative attempted to sell the paint- tory of this painting is illustrative of the convoluted ing through an auction house, GSA OIG intervened path that WPA art can take. This painting hung in the to stop the sale. The auction house disputed federal office of Senator Royal S. Copeland until his death in ownership, arguing that the United States had aban- 1938. When Senator James Byrnes took over Senator doned its property. Copeland’s office, the painting was no longer there. A GSA OIG worked with an assistant U.S. at- congressional staffer found the unframed painting in torney to file a lawsuit in federal court in Portland, a pile of trash next to a dumpster and took it home. Maine, seeking a judgment from the court that the When the staffer died, his sister acquired the paint- painting is the property of the federal government. ing. She did not know that the painting was WPA art The court granted the United States the provi- that belonged to the United States until 2003, when sional remedy of “replevin” to safeguard the painting we learned about the painting, and the United States until ownership was determined. The auction house entered into an agreement under which the painting subsequently agreed to return the painting to the is on long-term loan to a museum. United States. As part of the Department of State “Art in Em- “IRIS GARDEN” bassies” program, the painting will next go to the The recovery of Anne Fletcher’s “Iris Garden” il- U.S. Embassy in Croatia. lustrates the effectiveness of our publicity efforts. This painting was originally sent for display to the Home Economics Center in Berryville, Va., in 1939. FOURTEENTH STREET AT SIXTH AVENUE Visit www.ignet.gov 4