http://www.oig.dot.gov/rss.jsp The 10 most recent releases on the U.S. DoT OIG web site en-US webmaster@oig.dot.gov (OIG Webmaster) http://www.oig.dot.gov/images/dot.gif http://www.oig.dot.gov/rss.jsp http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2581 The Office of Inspector General is initiating an audit of the Federal Aviation Administrations acquisition workforce. This effort is part of our riskbased oversight strategy developed to help the Department of Transportation address management challenges in their acquisition function. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2581 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2582 The Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a management advisory to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on a potentially serious safety issue related to the adequacy of foundations at a segment of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. This issue remains unresolved a year after we first brought it to FTAs attention in a November 2008 Hotline complaint. A credible source contacted OIG asserting that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the project sponsor, had not conducted sufficient testing on eleven pier foundations and their underlying steel piles that were built 30 years ago, and will support a portion of the projects new guiderail. The FTAs response to our Hotline complaint was incomplete and inconsistent with subsequent engineering information that FTA provided to us. In our management advisory, we prompted FTA to conduct a review of project management performance to assess whether adequate oversight is being conducted on the project. In addition, we urged FTA to develop a plan outlining how it will ensure that sufficient testing of the existing foundations will take place before additional construction is undertaken at the locations in question. Finally, we encouraged FTA to outline additional steps it plans to take to enhance future oversight of the project. We will consider actions taken as a result of this management advisory as part of our planned audit of FTAs Dulles Project oversight, which we announced on November 19, 2009. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2582 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2580 At the request of Representative John Mica, the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, we will initiate an audit on job creation and reporting associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Our audit objecitves are to determine whether (1) Aiport Improvement Program, and Facilities and Equipment projects funded under ARRA are preserving and creating jobs; and (2), the reporting of job data satisfies ARRA requirements. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2580 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2578 At the request of U.S. Senator Christopher S. Bond, we will review the performance of the Department of Transportation (Department) and the Denali Commission in using Federalaid highway funds to improve Alaskas surface and maritime transportation infrastructure. Our objectives are to (1) assess the Denali Commissions use of Federalaid highway funds and (2) evaluate the Departments oversight of the Denali Commission and state transportation agencies. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2578 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2579 The Office of Inspector General is initiating an audit of the of the Federal Transit Administrations (FTAs) oversight of Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The project uses both American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds and nonARRA Federal New Starts funds. Our audit objectives are to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of FTAs oversight of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project and (2) assess potential safety concerns. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2579 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2575 On November 18, 2009, the Inspector General testified on the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAAs) oversight of repair stations. Air carriers use of repair stations has risen dramatically in the last several years both in the volume and type of repairs outsourced. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has reported since 2003 that FAAs oversight of aircraft repair facilities is not robust enough to ensure that outsourced repairs meet FAA standards. Specifically, FAA does not know where all critical outsourced repairs are performed for both certificated and noncertificated facilities. Instead, it relies heavily on air carriers oversight of repair stations even air carriers with known quality assurance problems. Several of the OIGs recommendations aimed at improving FAAs oversight of foreign and domestic repair stations remain open. Successfully implementing these recommendations would allow FAA to identify and target repair facilities in need of safety oversight as well as meet its statutory mandate to provide TSA with information needed to improve security oversight. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2575 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2576 Prior to the Transportation Security Administrations (TSAs) transition into the Department of Homeland Security, as part of an audit in 2003 of air carriers use of aircraft repair stations, the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General reviewed security controls at these stations. Our audit (originally released on February 28, 2003) disclosed security vulnerabilities at repair stations located at commercial and generalaviation airports and off airport property. We recommended that TSA conduct riskbased security assessments as a first step in determining the actions needed to address repairstation security. This report has been redacted by TSA to protect security sensitive information. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2576 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2574 On November 16, we issued our annual report on the top management challenges facing the Department in FY 2010. The issues comprising this years report are: maximizing the Departments transportation economic recovery investments; enhancing surface safety programs to reduce injuries and fatalities while defining a new federal role in transit safety; maximizing Federal surface infrastructure investments by helping states better allocate resources and proving effective oversight; addressing human factors and strengthening the regulatory and oversight framework for aviation safety; moving toward the Next Generation Air Transportation System and improving performance of the National Airspace System; improving contract management and oversight; enhancing the ability to combat cyber attacks and improving the governance of information technology resources; developing a funding framework for the next surface transportation reauthorization; strengthening the Departments acquisition workforce; and successfully implementing the newly created multibillion dollar highspeed intercity passenger rail program.This report was included in the Departments Performance and Accountability Report, as required by law. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2574 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2573 On November 16, we issued a quality control report on the audit of the Department of Transportations (DOTs) Fiscal Years 2009 and 2008 consolidated financial statements. Clifton Gunderson LLP, under contract to us and under our supervision, issued a clean (unqualified) audit opinion. However, Clifton Gunderson indentified five internal control significant deficiencies and one instance of noncompliance with laws and regulations. Complete financial statements will be included in DOTs Performance and Accountability Report, which also will contain a copy of the Clifton Gunderson, LLP report. This page will be updated when the link is available. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2573 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2572 On November 13, we issued a quality control report on the audit of the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAAs) Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 financial statements. Clifton Gunderson LLP, under contract to us and under our supervision, issued a clean (unqualified) audit opinion. However, Clifton Gunderson indentified one significant deficiency, related to Property, Plant, and Equipment Accounting and Reporting. Complete financial statements will be included in FAAs Performance and Accountability Report, which also will contain a copy of the Clifton Gunderson, LLP report. This page will be updated when the link is available. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2572