Reports

We are conducting the subject audit at the request of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. The objective of this audit is to determine the actions taken by the DoD to configure remote access software used to facilitate telework during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect DoD networks and systems from potential malicious activity. We will also determine the extent to which the DoD implemented security controls to protect remote connections to its networks. We may revise the objective as the audit proceeds, and we will consider suggestions from management for additional or revised objectives.

The objective of this audit is to determine whether DoD’s deployment of collaboration tools used to facilitate telework during the coronavirus disease–2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exposed DoD networks and systems to potential malicious activity, and the extent to which the DoD implemented security controls to protect the collaboration tools used on its networks. We will perform this audit in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. We may revise the objective as the audit proceeds, and we will consider suggestions from DoD management for additional or revised objectives.

This report represents our current assessment of the U.S. Small Business Administration's programs and activities that pose significant risks, including those that are particularly vulnerable to fraud, waste, error, mismanagement, or inefficiencies. The Challenges are not presented in order of priority, except for the COVID 19 challenge, which we address first in this report. We also view the other challenges as critically important to SBA operations.

The Office of the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery is evaluating funds that were allocated to the Federal Reserve System’s Main Street Lending Program (MSLP), which had 319 lenders and 1,830 borrowers participating in loans totaling more than $17 billion. The objectives of the audit are to 1) assess the process used by banks to issue loans under the MSLP program; 2) evaluate the process used by the Federal Reserve’s Special Purpose Vehicle to purchase the loans;  3) determine vulnerabilities based on a risk-based analysis; and 4) identify specific areas that warrant further audit work.
 

The Office of Inspector General will conduct an evaluation of SBA’s awards made to Highlight Technologies LLC to meet emerging needs related to impacts of COVID-19. Our project is part of a series of reviews of contracts SBA awarded to support CARES Act and other COVID-19 related legislation programs. Our objective is to determine if SBA issued the blanket purchase agreement and contract modifications in accordance with federal laws, regulations, and internal guidance.

The Office of Inspector General Audits Division will perform an evaluation of the Small Business Administration’s implementation of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Our objectives are to determine if SBA designed the program to (1) align with the American Rescue Plan Act requirements including whether designated groups were prioritized and (2) minimize the risk of financial loss.

Inspection Notification: SBA’s Handling of Potentially Fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program Loans

The Office of the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery is assessing the Department of the Treasury's Direct Loan Program, which provided approximately $2.7 billion through 35 loans to passenger air carriers and related businesses, cargo air carriers, and businesses critical to maintaining national security. The objectives of the audit are to 1) determine if the processes to approve loans followed requirements under Section 4003(b) of the CARES Act and other appropriate regulations and guidance and 2) evaluate Treasury’s Direct Loan Program loan portfolio management process and determine whether it follows best practices established by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or other appropriate authority. As part of this effort, SIGPR is partnering with the Department of Defense OIG in reviewing the loans that were issued in the interest of national security. 
 

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Office of Inspector General (OIG) is conducting an evaluation of the NRO’s implementation of section 3610 authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The objectives are to evaluate the NRO’s implementation of section 3610 authorized by the CARES Act and to identify preliminary impacts to NRO mission.

We plan to begin this audit in May 2020. The objective of this audit is to assess DoD’s implementation of section 3610 as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, including whether contracting officers properly authorized and reimbursed contractor costs. We may revise the objective as the audit proceeds, and will also consider suggestions from management for additional or revised objectives.