http://www.oig.dot.gov/rss.jsp?type=1 The 10 most recent releases on the U.S. DoT OIG web site ... Audit en-US webmaster@oig.dot.gov (OIG Webmaster) http://www.oig.dot.gov/images/dot.gif http://www.oig.dot.gov/rss.jsp?type=1 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=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=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=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 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2571 On November 10, 2009, we issued a quality control report on the audit of the National Transportation Safety Boards fiscal years 2009 and 2008 financial statements. Leon Snead & Company, P.C., under contract to us and under our supervision, issued a clean (unqualified) audit opinion but reported one significant deficiency due to the lack of a managerial cost accounting system. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2571 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2568 On November 5, we issued a quality control review report of the audit of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporations financial statements for fiscal years 2009 and 2008. Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP, under contract to the Seaway, issued a clean (unqualified) audit opinion and reported no internal control deficiencies. Complete financial statements will be included in the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporations Annual Report which also will contain a copy of our quality control report and the Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner report. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2568 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2566 On November 2, we issued our final report on FAAs Progress in Enhancing Air Traffic Control Systems Security. The audit objectives were to determine FAAs progress in correcting security weaknesses previously identified in the air traffic control (ATC) system by assessing (1) the status of Business Continuity Plan implementation and (2) the enhanced methodology used in the certification and accreditation of air traffic control systems security at operational sites. The FAA made good progress in preparing the Technical Center to serve as the recovery site; yet several unresolved technical challenges, staffing issues, and funding requirements could delay recovery site readiness. Further, while FAA has enhanced the process of reviewing ATC systems security, the reviews were not properly carried out to ensure security protection of operational ATC systems. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2566 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2560 On October 26, we issued a quality control review report on a single audit performed by Deloitte & Touche on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys use of DOT grants for the fiscal year for the State of New York ending December 31, 2007. During this period, the Authority received about $1.55 billion of grants from FTA. Deloitte & Touche rendered an unqualified (clean) opinion on the Authoritys financial statements and did not question any costs concerning DOT grant programs. In addition, it did not identify any significant deficiencies in internal controls over compliance with the FTA programs. We determined that Deloitte & Touches work generally met the requirements of Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, the Single Audit Act of 1984, as amended, and the Office of Management and Budget Circular A133. We found nothing to indicate that Deloitte & Touches opinion on the financial statements or reports on internal control and compliance were inappropriate or unreliable. We also performed a limited review of PricewaterhouseCoopers work on two subcomponents of the Authority, the New York City Transit Authority and Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority for the State of New York fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. We identified several documentation deficiencies in PricewaterhouseCoopers workpapers. Based on the explanations and additional information provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers, we determined that these documentation deficiencies did not affect the overall audit results. However, they should be corrected in future audits to adequately support the audit conclusion. Deloitte & Touche and PricewaterhouseCoopers concurred with our recommendations. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2560 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2561 On October 26, we issued a quality control review report on a single audit performed by KPMG on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys use of DOT grants for the State of California fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. During this period, the Authority received about $277 million of grants from FTA. KPMG rendered an unqualified (clean) opinion on the Authoritys financial statements, but questioned more than $3.3 million charged to FTA programs. We determined that KPMGs work generally met the requirements of Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, the Single Audit Act of 1984, as amended, and the Office of Management and Budget Circular A133. We found nothing to indicate that KPMGs opinion on the financial statements or reports on internal control and compliance were inappropriate or unreliable. KPMG concurred with our recommendations. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2561 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2556 On October 21, 2009, we issued our report on FAAs actions to implement 77 initiatives of the New York Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). We conducted this audit at the request of the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, who expressed the Subcommittees concern about the effectiveness of delayreduction efforts at the New York airports. Our audit objective was to examine FAAs progress in implementing the 77 ARC initiatives. We found that, while FAA reported many of these initiatives as complete, most are not being used or are used infrequently due to limited tactical need, operational and technical problems, unfinished testing, and controller/airline issues. Other initiatives face challenges, such as special equipment and training requirements or litigation, or are part of nationwide FAA programs that will not be completed until 2012 or later. While FAA has begun addressing these issues, much work remains to be done. We recommended that FAA (1) assess completed and remaining initiatives to determine whether they are providing benefits or should be discontinued or recategorized, (2) resolve technical, operational, and controller/airline issues affecting many of the initiatives reported as completed, and (3) fully operationalize the Integration Offices NY Area Delay Reduction Plan and Schedule. FAA generally concurred with our recommendations. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2556