OMB Urges IG Cooperation in Memo to Agency Heads
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued guidance on December 3 encouraging federal agencies to work together and support their inspector generals (IGs). As Congress works to strengthen IG authority, OMB's memo sets the tone for cooperation and reflects input from the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE).
During a review of agency practices this past spring, the CIGIE found many agencies have not routinely communicated with their staff about the role of IGs or expectations of employee engagement. The CIGIE subsequently recommended that agency leadership set the expectation of employee cooperation, inform staff of their rights to speak to IGs about whistleblower matters, and emphasize that IGs are independent of management.
“The framework cooperation memorandum issued emphasizes what we believe to be the best practices across the IG community. It helps communicate the vital issues of full IG access and cooperation consistently throughout the Executive Branch and will strengthen OIG’s independence,” stated Mark Lee Greenblatt, the CIGIE Vice-Chair and IG at the Department of the Interior (DOI).
Federal officials are directed in the new memorandum to emphasize to their staffs that their agency's IG expects full cooperation from all its employees and contractors. As well as best practices, guidelines for strengthening this cooperation are included:
Meetings where IG officials and agency leadership hold candid discussions on a regular basis.
Discussions about IG resources to ensure adequate funding and shared services, and to ensure that their work is done efficiently.
To streamline interactions with IG staff during audits, a senior official will serve as a liaison within the agency.
A new and effective process for facilitating proactive and transparent collaboration under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).
Promoting a work environment in which employees can voice their concerns and report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.
Identifying and mitigating risks associated with achieving program results.
Responding quickly to IG reports is essential to prevent lingering open recommendations.
“[The President expects] that executive departments and agencies will restore and respect the integrity and independence of their respective agency IGs, and work with the Congress to ensure that IG offices can exercise their vital oversight role,” stated OMB Acting Director Shalanda Young.
In his role as CIGIE's executive chairman and head of the President's Management Council, Deputy Director for Management at OMB Jason Miller will serve as a liaison between the IG community and agency leadership to foster collaboration on critical initiatives.
“As leaders of your respective agencies, you and your staff have an obligation to cooperate with your respective IG offices as they fulfill their statutory responsibilities under the IG Act. In recent years, there have been concerns that executive branch agencies have not consistently provided their IGs with the full cooperation and access to which they are entitled under the law,” wrote Young and Miller in the memo.
According to OMB, the IG's role at federal agencies involves promoting the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of programs and operations, as well as preventing and detecting fraud. Similarly, agency leaders share these responsibilities with their respective IGs, meaning both must work together to accomplish those goals.