The memo also directs agency heads to increase scrutiny over hiring new personnel, and over issuing discretionary monetary awards to employees (which should only be done if legally required), and incurring obligations for new training, conferences, and travel including agency-paid travel for non-agency personnel).
Further, agency heads must ensure their agencies have risk management strategies and internal controls in place that provide heightened scrutiny of certain types of activities funded from sequestered accounts, OMB said.
It said agencies also must ensure appropriate controls are in place to prevent the increased use of contractors to perform work due to any restrictions on hiring.
