250 E Street SW

Washington, D.C. 20525

202-606-5000/ 800-942-2677

MEMORANDUM 

To: Stephen Ravas, Acting Inspector General 

From: Michael D. Smith, Chief Executive Officer 

Date: January 31, 2024

Cc: Jenny Mauk, Chief of Staff 

Fernando Laguarda, General Counsel 

Gina Cross, Chief Operating Officer 

Jake Sgambati, Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Danielle Melfi, Chief Program Officer

Malena Brookshire, Chief Financial Officer 

Rachel Turner, Agency Audits and Investigations Manager 

Subject: FY 2023 Annual Conference Report 

As part of the government-wide effort to expend resources more efficiently and effectively, 

the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 117-328) directs federal agencies to 

submit a report to their Inspector General on conferences hosted for which the cost to the 

government exceeded $100,000 for the previous fiscal year by January 31 each year. See 

also Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024, and Other Extensions Act, Pub. L. 118-15 

(continuing appropriations through November 17, 2023). See also Further Continuing 

Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024, Pub. L. 118-22 (further continuing 

appropriations for AmeriCorps through February 2, 2024).

In FY 2023, AmeriCorps sponsored three conferences that cost $100,000 or more to advance 

or implement the agency’s mission: the AmeriCorps Seniors Convening, the AmeriCorps 

Tribal Grantees Convening, and the AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsor Convening. The agency

looks forward to continuing to work together to make these events as productive and costeffective as possible to advance AmeriCorps’ mission and make a difference in communities. 

The agency appreciates the Office of Inspector General’s participation in these events.

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Name of Event: AmeriCorps Seniors Convening

Purpose: The purpose of the AmeriCorps Seniors Convening is to provide a training 

opportunity for AmeriCorps Seniors grantees. This convening was the first in-person event 

AmeriCorps Seniors has hosted since 2019. The event served the recipients of AmeriCorps 

Seniors approximately 1,200 grants across the country, providing opportunities for training, 

technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities. 
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The 2023 AmeriCorps Seniors Convening theme was Growing Together: Uniting America 

Through Service. Throughout the convening, grantee representatives could attend inspiring 

plenaries, participate in breakout sessions, and hear from AmeriCorps’ leadership and some 

of the agency’s partners. The agenda allowed attendees to learn from national service 

experts, engage in meaningful discussions, share knowledge, make new connections, and 

gain valuable insight from their peers. In addition to the in-person sessions, AmeriCorps livestreamed plenaries and critical sessions. AmeriCorps Seniors will post all session materials on 

AmeriCorps’ Learning Management System for access by grantees and agency staff. 

Date: May 24–26, 2023

Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel Crystal City at Reagan National Airport

2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202

Number of Participants: 836 stakeholders and 74 AmeriCorps staff.

Audio-Visual $103,969.25

Food and Beverage 159,796.80

Meeting Space 47,939.04

Website and Registration 9,360.00

Labor and Support 394,822.57

Contractor Travel 0.00

Staff Travel: 42,219.68

Total Cost: $758,107.34

Description of the Contracting Procedures Used: A procurement contract was awarded on 

a competitive basis using standard procurement operating procedures. Contractors bid via a 

formal procurement process in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations. All bids 

were reviewed for technical, staff, and performance requirements.

Name of Event: AmeriCorps Tribal Grantees Convening

Purpose: AmeriCorps’ Native American Affairs team hosted a three-day convening for tribal 

grantees and partners in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 27-29, 2023. The intent was to bring 

together existing and potential tribal partners to build a shared experience in working in 

partnership with AmeriCorps. 

Date: June 27-29, 2023

Location: Palms Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, NV

Number of Participants: 52 grantees and 25 AmeriCorps staff

Audio-Visual $22,149.00

Food and Beverage $8,638.00

Meeting Space $14,766.00

Website and Registration $4,307.00

Labor and Support $33,023.00

Contractor Travel $7,668.00

Native American Affairs Staff Travel $4,244.54

Grantee Travel: lodging, per diem, hotel tax $176,333.27
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Keynote speaker travel $2557.00

Total Cost: $273,685.81

Description of the Contracting Procedures Used: A procurement contract was awarded on 

a competitive basis using standard procurement operating procedures. Contractors bid via a 

formal procurement process in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations. All bids 

were reviewed for technical, staff, and performance requirements.

Name of Event: 2023 AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsor Convening

Purpose: The AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsor Convening is an optional training event for staff of 

organizations that host AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program. The 2023 training also 

included team leaders who oversee first-year AmeriCorps members. The training focused on 

AmeriCorps member recruitment, supervision, and professional development. AmeriCorps 

VISTA designed the sessions to help sponsors provide excellent service experiences for 

AmeriCorps members and help sponsors and members meet the needs of their local 

communities.

Date: August 21-23, 2023

Location: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Chicago—Oak Brook, 1909 Spring Road, Oak Brook, IL 

60523

Number of Participants: 159 stakeholders (sponsors) and 25 AmeriCorps staff

Audio-Visual $20,428.09

Food and Beverage $0

Meeting Space $0

Website and Registration $1,665.77

Labor and Support $235,557.72

Contractor Travel $8,097.38

Staff Travel: $25,000.00

Total Cost: $290,748.96

Description of the Contracting Procedures Used: A procurement contract was awarded on 

a competitive basis using standard procurement operating procedures. Contractors bid via a 

formal procurement process in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations. All bids 

were reviewed for price, technical, and performance requirements.