A review found similar issues across IG reports on the use of a contracting vehicle outside the Uniform Guidance and the FAR. Image: DCStockPhotography/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffA review of inspector general audits over the last five years has found common issues with agencies’ use of “other transaction agreements,” which are often used to advance new technologies and for research, development, and demonstration projects.
“Although OTAs are subject to federal fiscal law, they are not subject to the Uniform Guidance and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, which govern grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. As such, agencies must develop a rigorous control environment with comprehensive policies, processes, and procedures to ensure proper oversight and accountability over the use of OTAs,” the report said.
However, the review, conducted by the IG’s office at the National Science Foundation, found common issues across agency-specific IG reports on the use of that contracting vehicle. These included that agencies obligated funds without complete information and/or documentation; did not comply with applicable laws, regulations, or policies during the award period, such as validating that work was completed, cost sharing occurred, or incurred costs were allowable; and did not properly secure, maintain, track, or report award information.
“These issues occurred because agencies did not have proper guidance or policies for overseeing OTA recipients, sufficient training for staff, or adequate systems to retain documents or track data. The findings emphasize the risks of entering into agreements without the proper control environment and the need for a strong control environment throughout the award’s life cycle,” it said.
The NSF office conducted the review under terms of last year’s Chips and Science Act, which created a Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships directorate at that agency and provided it with the authority to use OTAs to carry out that directorate’s activities.
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