OMB has sent additional guidance to agencies on conducting conferences, in light of the latest embarrassing IG report and resulting congressional hearing, this time involving a 2010 IRS conference for managers in California.
The "controller alert" follows two memos addressing conferences in the context of general restrictions on spending due to sequestration and language in the measure funding agencies through the remainder of this fiscal year.
It says that while agencies should anticipate a continued reduction in conference and travel activity for the duration of the sequestration order, they should not interpret those orders "as a moratorium on all conference events."
"There are circumstances in which physical collocation is necessary to complete the mission. These circumstances may include, but are not limited to, collaborations in the scientific community, unique training events for the law enforcement community, or the need to perform formal inspections as part of an agency’s oversight and investigatory responsibilities."
The memo describes expected controls over the planning process, including keeping hotel costs within general per diem limits, seeking discounts, and defining the purpose of the training.
It adds that "events should not include excessive or lavish social components," the kind of activities that have drawn the most attention in audits of conferences at GSA, VA and most recently the IRS.
The guidance is here: https://cfo.gov/controller-alert-travel-and-conferences/
