United States Department of Agriculture

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
GOAL 1: Strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ability to implement and 

improve safety and security measures to protect the public health, as well as agricultural 

and Departmental resources.

• Evaluate the adequacy of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s 

(APHIS) controls to ensure breeder compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and 

follow up on agency actions taken in response to a 2010 audit that reviewed the 

agency’s inspection and enforcement activities for problematic dealers.

• Provide technical oversight for the FY 2019 Federal Information Security 

Modernization Act (FISMA) audit.

• Investigate threats involving the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products to ensure 

timely response and appropriate corrective actions are taken to protect the public from 

food tampering or tainted food.

GOAL 2: Detect and reduce USDA program vulnerabilities and deficiencies to strengthen the 

integrity of the Department’s programs.

• Evaluate the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) administration and oversight of the 

Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program.

• Develop business intelligence products to analyze USDA program data in order to 

identify potential relationships, patterns, anomalies, and trends that can be addressed 

through audits or investigations, as appropriate.

GOAL 3: Provide USDA with oversight to help it achieve results-oriented performance.

• Utilize the newly formed Sensitive Investigations Office to enhance investigating 

senior-level employee misconduct and whistleblower reprisal complaints alleged by 

employees of contractors, subcontractors, grantees, and subgrantees.

• Determine whether the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has 

adequate controls to ensure formula-funded recipients use funds according to 

applicable regulations and their grant agreements.

GOAL 4: Recruit, develop, and maintain a highly qualified and diverse workforce while 

fostering a work environment that promotes productivity, innovation, excellence, and 

employee satisfaction.

• Continue ongoing recruitment activities such as the Pathways Programs, Operation 

Warfighters, and college fairs to deliver a highly qualified and diverse workforce.

• Reduce OIG’s office space footprint and the costs associated with leased space.

HIGHLIGHTS OF OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 

(OIG) ANNUAL PLAN FOR FY 2019
MESSAGE FROM THE 

INSPECTOR GENERAL

I am pleased to present the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of 

Inspector General’s (OIG) Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2019. This document 

describes how OIG will accomplish its mission of promoting economy, efficiency, 

effectiveness, and integrity in the delivery of USDA programs throughout the 

fiscal year. We aligned our Annual Plan with the OIG Five-Year Strategic 

Plan for Fiscal Years 2017–2022, using that document to establish our current 

goals and objectives. Accordingly, this Annual Plan represents OIG’s continued 

focus on critical USDA programs and activities of national importance.

Our work addresses the need for safety and security in Department programs and 

resources, strengthens the integrity of those programs, and helps USDA achieve its 

program objectives. For example, we will evaluate the adequacy of APHIS’ controls 

to ensure breeder compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and follow up on agency 

actions taken in response to a 2010 audit that reviewed the agency’s inspection and 

enforcement activities for problematic dealers. We will also investigate threats 

to the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products and help ensure that appropriate 

action is taken to protect the public from food tampering or tainted food.

Many other audits are intended to strengthen program integrity throughout 

USDA. For example, we will be evaluating USDA’s response to cotton losses 

from Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Irma in Georgia and the 

oversight and controls over processing cotton insurance claims. In addition, we 

will continue to consolidate the results of six Summer Food Service Program 

(SFSP) audits we conducted last fiscal year and determine whether any additional 

controls are needed to enhance this program’s efficiency and effectiveness. 

Our investigations also contribute to our goals for the fiscal year. We will investigate 

allegations of criminal activity in USDA’s hurricane and other disaster relief and 

assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), 

crop insurance, indemnity payments, grants, and loans to ensure entitlements and 
benefits are distributed based on eligibility and used for their intended purpose.

Our Office of Data Sciences (ODS) will help OIG offices detect and reduce program 

vulnerabilities by developing business intelligence products that will provide OIG with 

the ability to explore data. These products will identify potential relationships, patterns, 

inconsistencies, and trends to be addressed through audits or investigations, as appropriate

Demonstrating our commitment to the OIG workforce and our own operational efficiency 

and effectiveness, we will continue ongoing recruitment activities to deliver a highly 

qualified and diverse workforce. We will also devote considerable energy and resources 

to updating and strengthening our information technology (IT) infrastructure. Finally, 

we will continue working to reduce our office space footprint and associated lease 

costs while striving to achieve greater efficiency in our budget execution activities.

This Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2019 re-emphasizes OIG’s continued commitment to 

accomplishing our strategic goals. OIG looks forward to working with the Secretary and 

Congress as we strive to provide effective oversight of USDA programs in fiscal year 2019.

.
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 1 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ................................................. 2

Resources and Organization ................................ 3

FY 2019 Work Plan ........................................... 4

Conclusion ................................................. 11

Appendix A: Related Materials and Information ........... 12

Appendix B: OIG Organizational Chart: October 1, 2018 . . 13

Appendix C: OIG’s Areas of Responsibility ................. 14

Appendix D: Distribution of Audit Resources by Agency ... 16

Appendix E: Distribution of Investigative Resources 

by Agency .................................. 17

Appendix F: Fiscal Year 2019 Audits Planned and 

in Progress ................................... 18

Appendix G: Overview of OIG Plans for Fiscal Year 2019 ... 24

Appendix H: Acronyms and Abbreviations ................ 25
2 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

OIG’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2017–2022 establishes our mission, vision, 

and goals for 5 years. OIG is committed to providing a positive return on 

the U.S. taxpayers’ investment by planning our work to address the issues of 

greatest importance and achieve the most significant results.

OIG continues its work to ensure the overall integrity of payments in 

USDA programs and the effectiveness of those programs. This Annual Plan 

presents the fiscal year (FY) 2019 work that OIG intends to undertake in 

support of our Strategic Plan.

INTRODUCTION
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 3 

RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATION

We assessed the work for this Annual Plan relative to the resources that we 

believe will be available to accomplish it. Because the FY 2019 funding level 

is not yet certain, the Annual Plan may need to be adjusted during the year to 

reflect any changes in resources. Appendix B shows our current organizational 

structure and Appendix C describes our functional responsibilities.
4 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

The following is a summary of the work we plan in support of our FY 2019 

strategic goals.

Goal 1: Strengthen USDA’s ability to implement 

and improve safety and security measures to 

protect the public health, as well as agricultural 

and Departmental resources. 

We expect to use approximately 21 percent of our audit and 5 percent of our 

investigative resources in achieving this goal.1

 Our audit work focuses on 

assessing management control systems designed to ensure that the Department 

is effectively protecting consumers and the Nation’s agricultural resources. 

Audit work also focuses on the security and management of the Department’s 

IT resources. For FY 2019, our priorities include the following:

• Provide technical oversight for the FY 2019 FISMA audit. 

• Evaluate the adequacy of APHIS’ controls to ensure breeder 

compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and follow up on agency 

actions taken in response to OIG’s 2010 Audit 33002-4-SF, 

APHIS Animal Care Program Inspections of Problematic Dealers.

• Continue to evaluate APHIS’ oversight of the National Veterinary 

Stockpile to ensure that it is prepared to appropriately respond to 

animal diseases affecting human health and the economy.

• Continue to determine whether the Food Safety and Inspection 

Service’s (FSIS) verification procedures are sufficient to ensure that 

official establishments are maintaining written procedures that will 

adequately specify how the establishments will decide whether to 

conduct product recalls, and how the establishments will conduct the 

recalls.

• Evaluate FSIS’ controls to ensure the safety of imported meat and 

poultry. Specifically, we will evaluate re-inspections performed 

at U.S. ports of entry and the effectiveness of the Public Health 

Information System import module. 

FY 2019 WORK PLAN

1 While all OIG components contribute to each goal, we can currently quantify and project only 

the audit and investigation resources employed.
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 5 

• Investigate threats involving the safety of meat, poultry, and egg 

products to ensure timely response and appropriate corrective actions 

are taken to protect the public from food tampering or tainted food.

• Investigate allegations of criminal activity impacting animal and 

plant health.
6 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

Goal 2: Detect and reduce program 

vulnerabilities and deficiencies to strengthen the 

integrity of the Department’s programs.

We expect to use approximately 39 percent of our audit and 90 percent of our 

investigative resources to accomplish this goal. Our focus includes assessing 

internal control systems and identifying risk indicators that should increase 

both OIG’s and USDA’s ability to detect and prevent program abuse and 

criminal activity. Our FY 2019 priorities include the following:

• Aggregate Federal farm program payee data across the 

USDA agencies in order to provide auditors and investigators with 

a holistic view of the payee and associated financial assistance 

payments. Data mining techniques will be used to universally 

visualize the data in order to identify anomalies and trends which 

may indicate program vulnerabilities, potential weaknesses in 

program operations and controls, and potential fraud resulting in 

improper payments. 

• Develop business intelligence products to analyze USDA program 

data in order to identify potential relationships, patterns, anomalies, 

and trends to be addressed through audits or investigations, as 

appropriate.

• Evaluate FSA’s administration and oversight of the Wildfire and 

Hurricane Indemnity Program.

• Identify and evaluate Agricultural Marketing Service’s 

(AMS) management controls in place over the Specialty Crop Block 

Grant Program. Specifically, we will evaluate the process used by 

AMS to award and disburse grant funds to States, as well as the 

process used to monitor the grants.

• Evaluate USDA’s response to cotton losses from Hurricane Harvey 

in Texas and Hurricane Irma in Georgia. Our specific objectives are 

to evaluate: (1) the effectiveness of USDA’s response; and (2) the 

oversight and controls over processing cotton insurance claims 

and the disaster payments made for damaged cotton crops from 

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 7 

• Continue to determine if Natural Resources Conservation 

Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program 

payment schedules represent the producer’s cost to implement 

the conservation practice(s) and if the payments are in accordance 

with the statutory limit. In addition, we will determine if the use 

of regional payment schedules is a cost effective method to provide 

adequate coverage for all natural resource concerns.

• Continue to evaluate the Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) disaster 

relief efforts providing nutrition assistance to Puerto Rico as a result 

of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

• Investigate allegations of criminal activity in farm programs, 

including the crop insurance and farm loan programs.

• Continue to investigate the programs in which there is alleged 

criminal activity to address potential fraud. Such programs include: 

nutrition (Child and Adult Care Feeding Program and SFSP); rural 

business (Rural Business Development Grant and Community 

Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program); and the National 

Organics Program.

• Investigate allegations of criminal activity in USDA’s hurricane and 

other disaster relief and assistance programs such as crop insurance, 

indemnity payments, grants, and loans.
8 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

Goal 3: Provide USDA with oversight to help it 

achieve results-oriented performance.

We expect to use approximately 40 percent of our audit and 5 percent of our 

investigative resources to accomplish this goal. Our audit focus is on improved 

financial management and accountability, real property management and 

procurement, and outreach activities. Our FY 2019 mandated and priority 

work includes the following:

• Conduct audits of the FY 2018–2019 USDA consolidated financial 

statements and the financial statements of five stand-alone 

agencies and entities. These are the Commodity Credit Corporation 

(CCC), the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, FNS, NRCS, and 

Rural Development.

• Assess: (1) the completeness, timeliness, quality, and accuracy of 

FY 2019 financial and award data submitted for publication on 

usaspending.gov; and (2) USDA’s implementation and use of the 

government-wide financial data standards established by the Office of 

Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

• Determine whether NIFA has adequate controls to ensure 

formula-funded recipients use funds according to applicable 

regulations and their grant agreements.

• Continue to consolidate relevant results and common control 

issues from six SFSP audits at FNS and four States (California, 

Florida, New York, and Texas). We will also determine whether 

any additional controls are needed to enhance SFSP efficiency and 

effectiveness.

• Continue to evaluate the Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) controls 

over the development of insurance products under Section 508(h) of 

the Federal Crop Insurance Act.

• Continue to determine whether the actions the Forest Service 

(FS) took in response to complaints of sexual misconduct and 

harassment in the workplace were (1) effectively implemented as 

outlined in the joint agreement with the Office of General Counsel 

and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights and 

(2) sufficiently addressed workplace concerns.
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 9 

• Utilize the newly formed Sensitive Investigations Office to focus on 

investigating senior-level misconduct and whistleblower reprisal 

complaints alleged by employees of contractors, subcontractors, 

grantees, and subgrantees.
10 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

Goal 4: Recruit, develop, and maintain a highly 

qualified and diverse workforce while fostering 

a work environment that promotes productivity, 

innovation, excellence, and employee 

satisfaction.

Our internal management focus is on enhancing all communication through 

new and existing technologies, timely reporting information to stakeholders, 

and delivering quality service to employees. Our FY 2019 management 

priorities include the following:

• Continue ongoing recruitment activities such as the Pathways 

Programs, Operation Warfighters, and college fairs to deliver a highly 

qualified and diverse workforce.

• Reduce OIG’s office space footprint and the costs associated with 

leased space.

• Perform an in-depth assessment of several IT services, replace aging 

equipment, and increase redundancy to improve the speed, quality, 

and reliability of the OIG network.

• Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of OIG’s budget execution 

activities, to enhance OIG’s ability to ensure equitable and consistent 

spending throughout the fiscal year.
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 11 

In developing this Annual Plan, we made every effort to realistically assess the 

intended work’s strategic alignment and importance, anticipated outcomes, and 

resource requirements. We believe it represents a balanced and achievable set 

of performance objectives. Adjustments may become necessary due to shifting 

priorities, available resources, or other unforeseen circumstances. Throughout 

the fiscal year we will measure our progress towards achieving the performance 

objectives and will report our results through our semiannual reports to 

Congress.

CONCLUSION
12 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

OIG Strategic Plan for FYs 2017–2022:

https://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/USDA_OIG_2017_Five_Year_Plan_508c.pdf 

USDA Strategic Plan for FYs 2018–2022:

 https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-strategicplan-2018-2022.pdf

USDA Management Challenges (August 2018): 

https://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/MgmtChallenges2018.pdf

OIG Plan–Oversight of Disaster Funding:

https://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/Oversight-of-Disaster-Funding180914.pdf 

APPENDIX A: RELATED MATERIALS 

AND INFORMATION 
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 13 

 

APPENDIX B: OIG ORGANIZATIONAL 

CHART: OCTOBER 1, 2018
14 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

AUDIT

The Office of Audit examines the economy and efficiency of USDA programs 

and operations, including program results, compliance with applicable laws and 

regulations, and the accuracy of financial reports. While in-house staff do most 

audit work, the Office of Audit also contracts with certified public accountants 

for some work and oversees the quality of work completed by auditors under 

contract to other USDA agencies. OIG audits are completed in accordance 

with Government Auditing Standards, published by the U.S. Government 

Accountability Office.

INVESTIGATIONS

The Office of Investigations utilizes specific law enforcement authorities, tools, 

and techniques, including asset forfeiture, to conduct investigations and address 

fraud, waste, and abuse in the programs and operations of USDA. Investigative 

work is intended to result in appropriate actions to resolve allegations and to 

prevent and deter future instances of illegal or fraudulent acts or misconduct.

DATA SCIENCES

The Office of Data Sciences (ODS) applies data analytics to support audits, 

investigations, and other activities. Tools may include predictive data analysis, 

statistical sampling, modeling, computer matching, and data mining of 

USDA programs and operations. Using data analytics, ODS discovers potential 

fraud patterns, identifies anomalies in programs for further review, and 

develops statistical models.

COMPLIANCE AND INTEGRITY

The Office of Compliance and Integrity performs independent quality assurance 

and internal control reviews of OIG operations. These reviews provide senior 

management with reasonable assurance that OIG operations and activities 

are being carried out in accordance with policy. The Office of Compliance and 

Integrity also investigates allegations of criminal and/or serious administrative 

misconduct by OIG employees.

APPENDIX C: OIG’S AREAS OF 

RESPONSIBILITY 
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 15 

COUNSEL

The Office of Counsel provides legal advice and representation on issues arising 

during the course of audit and investigative activities, and advises on internal 

administrative and management issues. The Office of Counsel also manages 

OIG’s Congressional and media relations, ethics, Freedom of Information 

Act, and Privacy Act programs, and reviews proposed legislation, regulations, 

policies, and procedures.

DIVERSITY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

The Office of Diversity and Conflict Resolution advises OIG leadership on 

applying the principles of civil rights, equal employment opportunity, dispute 

resolution, diversity, and inclusion on matters affecting the OIG workforce, 

program activities, and development of policy. This office also guides all 

personnel through the use of the Federal sector employment discrimination 

complaints and dispute resolution processes, as appropriate.

MANAGEMENT

The Office of Management ensures that OIG personnel, budgetary funds, 

technology, space, equipment, and policies are in place so that OIG can 

function efficiently and effectively. Responsibilities include acquisition and 

asset management, budget formulation and execution, human resources 

management, cross-OIG workplace training, IT and cyber security 

management, and policy preparation for OIG. The Office of Management also 

facilitates OIG’s planning activities and prepares cross-cutting documents on 

OIG accomplishments.
16 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

FY 2019 PLANNED

APPENDIX D: DISTRIBUTION OF AUDIT 

RESOURCES BY AGENCY 

Mission Area Agency %

NATURAL RESOURCES AND 

ENVIRONMENT—2.6%

FS 2.6

FARM PRODUCTION AND 

CONSERVATION—20.6%

CCC 0.3

FSA 7.3

NRCS 5.9

RMA 7.1

RURAL DEVELOPMENT—11.3% Rural Development 3.0

Rural Housing Service (RHS) 4.6

Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 3.7

FOOD, NUTRITION, AND CONSUMER 

SERVICES—14.8%

FNS 14.8

FOOD SAFETY—5.7% FSIS 5.7

MARKETING AND REGULATORY 

PROGRAMS—13.0%

AMS 5.6

APHIS 7.4

RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND 

ECONOMICS—4.6%

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) 1.2

Economic Research Service (ERS) 1.0

NIFA 2.4

MULTIPLE AGENCIES—15.6% Multi-agency 15.6

EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT AND OTHER 

ENTITIES—11.8%

Departmental Management (DM) 0.8

Office of the Chief Financial Officer 

(OCFO)

9.3

Office of the Assistant Secretary For Civil 

Rights (OASCR)

1.7
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 17 

FY 2019 ANTICIPATED 

APPENDIX E: DISTRIBUTION OF 

INVESTIGATIVE RESOURCES BY AGENCY 

Mission Area Agency %

NATURAL RESOURCES AND 

ENVIRONMENT—2%

FS 2.0

FARM PRODUCTION AND 

CONSERVATION—18.8%

FSA 13.5

NRCS 1.3

RMA 4.0

RURAL DEVELOPMENT—3.3% RUS 0.5

RHS 1.8

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 1.0

FOOD, NUTRITION, AND CONSUMER 

SERVICES—56%

FNS 56.0

FOOD SAFETY—3% FSIS 3.0

MARKETING AND REGULATORY 

PROGRAMS—12.6%

AMS 5.1

APHIS 7.5 

RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND 

ECONOMICS—2.7%

ARS 2.2 

NIFA 0.5

TRADE AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL 

AFFAIRS—1% 

Foreign Agricultural Service 1.0 

EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT AND OTHER 

ENTITIES—0.6%

DM, OCFO, Office of the Chief 

Information Officer, OASCR, OIG, 

and other entities 0.6
18 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

Agency Title Goal

AMS * AMS Controls Over Specialty Crop Block 

Grant Program

Integrity of Benefits

* AMS Storage and Handling of Commodities 

for International Food Assistance Programs

Safety and 

Security

* Controls Over Inspection on Exported Grain Improvement 

Initiatives

* Oversight of the Farmer’s Market and Local 

Food Promotion Program

Integrity of Benefits

APHIS Animal Care Program Oversight of Breeders Safety and 

Security

Controls Over Select Agents Safety and 

Security

Followup on Smuggling, Interdiction, and 

Trade Compliance Unit

Safety and 

Security

Followup to APHIS’ Controls Over Licensing of 

Animal Exhibitors

Safety and 

Security

* National Veterinary Stockpile Oversight Safety and 

Security

Plant Pest and Disease Management and 

Disaster Prevention Program Grants

Integrity of Benefits

ARS ARS Controls to Prevent Mistreatment of 

Animals Used for Researching Parasitic 

Diseases

Safety and 

Security

CCC * CCC’s Financial Statements for FY 2018 Improvement 

Initiatives

CCC’s Financial Statements for FYs 2019 and 

2018

Improvement 

Initiatives

DM Section 2501 Program Grants Awarded 

FY 2018

Integrity of Benefits

ERS ERS Data Quality and Reporting Controls Integrity of Benefits

FNS * Nationwide Implementation of Women, 

Infants, and Children Electronic Benefits 

Transfer

Integrity of Benefits

* Assessment of Women, Infants, and Children 

National Program Integrity Monitoring Branch 

Activities

Improvement 

Initiatives

APPENDIX F: FISCAL YEAR 2019 

AUDITS PLANNED AND IN PROGRESS
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 19 

Agency Title Goal

* Compilation Report of States’ Compliance 

With Requirements for the Issuance and Use 

of SNAP Benefits (7 CFR, Part 274)

Integrity of Benefits

* Consolidated Report of FNS and Selected 

State Agencies’ Controls Over SFSP

Improvement 

Initiatives

* Florida’s Controls Over SFSP Integrity of Benefits

* FNS’ Financial Statements for FYs 2018 and 

2017

Improvement 

Initiatives

FNS’ Financial Statements for FYs 2019 and 

2018

Improvement 

Initiatives

* Food Distribution Program on Indian 

Reservations

Integrity of Benefits

* Review of FNS’ Disaster Relief Efforts Providing 

Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico as a Result 

of Hurricanes Irma and Maria

Integrity of Benefits

Summer Child Nutrition Program Dual 

Participation

Integrity of Benefits

* SFSP in Texas—Sponsor Costs Integrity of Benefits

* SNAP Employment and Training Pilot Program Integrity of Benefits

SNAP Waiver Process Integrity of Benefits

* Texas’ Controls Over SFSP Improvement 

Initiatives

FS * FS Initiatives to Address Workplace 

Misconduct

Improvement 

Initiatives

FS’ Use of Settlement Funds Integrity of Benefits

* FS’ Controls Over Its 2018 Supplemental 

Disaster Appropriations

Integrity of Benefits

* FS’ Controls Over Its Contract Closeout 

Process

Improvement 

Initiatives

FSA * 2017 Hurricane Relief Emergency Assistance 

for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised 

Fish Program

Integrity of Benefits

Emergency Conservation Program Integrity of Benefits

FSA’s Controls Over Its Contract Closeout 

Process

Improvement 

Initiatives
20 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

Agency Title Goal

Livestock Indemnity Program Integrity of Benefits

USDA’s Response to Cotton Losses in Georgia 

and Texas From Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

Integrity of Benefits

Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program Integrity of Benefits

FSIS * Compliance With Written Recall Procedures Safety and 

Security

* Controls Over Imported Meat and Poultry 

Products

Safety and 

Security

* Controls Over Meat, Poultry, and Egg Product 

Labels

Safety and 

Security

* Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program Safety and 

Security

* FSIS’ Oversight of the New Poultry Inspection 

System

Safety and 

Security

MULTI * Adjusted Gross Income Compliance 

Verification Process

Integrity of Benefits

* Data Encryption Controls Over Personally 

Identifiable Information on USDA IT Systems

Safety and 

Security

* FY 2019 FISMA Audit Safety and 

Security

FY 2020 FISMA Audit Safety and 

Security

* General and Application Controls Work for 

USDA’s Financial Statement Audits for 

FYs 2019 and 2018

Improvement 

Initiatives

General and Application Controls Work for 

USDA’s Financial Statement Audits for 

FYs 2020 and 2019

Improvement 

Initiatives

* Improper Usage of USDA’s IT Resources Safety and 

Security

Security Over Select USDA Agencies’ 

Networks and Systems FY 2019

Safety and 

Security

* USDA’s Closing Package Financial Statements 

for FY 2018

Improvement 

Initiatives

USDA’s Closing Package Financial Statements 

for FYs 2019 and 2018

Improvement 

Initiatives
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 21 

Agency Title Goal

* USDA’s Consolidated Financial Statements for 

FY 2018

Improvement 

Initiatives

USDA’s Consolidated Financial Statements for 

FYs 2019 and 2018

Improvement 

Initiatives

USDA’s FY 2018 Compliance With Improper 

Payment Requirements

Improvement 

Initiatives

* USDA Controls to Prevent the Unauthorized 

Access and Transfer of Research Technology

Safety and 

Security

USDA’s Response to Florida’s Citrus Losses 

From Hurricane Irma

Integrity of Benefits

NIFA Formula Grant Programs: Oversight of Funds 

Used by Recipient Institutions

Improvement 

Initiatives

* NIFA Formula Grant Programs Controls Over 

Fund Allocations to States

Integrity of Benefits

NRCS * Agricultural Conservation Easement 

Program—Application Process and Selection 

Priorities

Integrity of Benefits

* Environmental Quality Incentives Program 

Payment Schedules

Integrity of Benefits

Hurricane Disaster Assistance—Emergency 

Watershed Protection Program Floodplain 

Easements

Integrity of Benefits

* NRCS Equitable Relief Integrity of Benefits

* NRCS’ Financial Statements for FY 2018 Improvement 

Initiatives

NRCS’ Financial Statements for FYs 2019 and 

2018

Improvement 

Initiatives

OASCR USDA Oversight of Civil Rights Complaints Improvement 

Initiatives

OCFO Agreed-upon Procedures: Employee 

Benefits, Withholdings, Contributions, and 

Supplemental Semiannual Headcount 

Reporting Submitted to Office of Personnel 

Management FY 2019

Improvement 

Initiatives

Statement of Standards for Attestation 

Engagements Number 18, Report on Controls 

at the National Finance Center for October 1, 

2018, to July 31, 2019

Improvement 

Initiatives

USDA’s 2019 Compliance With the Digital 

Accountability and Transparency Act

Improvement 

Initiatives
22 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

Agency Title Goal

Rural 

Development

* Rural Development’s Financial Statements for 

FYs 2018 and 2017

Improvement 

Initiatives

Rural Development’s Financial Statements for 

FYs 2019 and 2018

Improvement 

Initiatives

RHS * Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan 

Program—Liquidation Value Appraisals

Integrity of Benefits

* Multifamily Housing Tenant Eligibility Integrity of Benefits

Single Family Housing Appraisals Integrity of Benefits

RMA * Annual Forage Program and Followup on 

Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Program

Integrity of Benefits

* Controls Over Crop Insurance 508(h) Products Improvement 

Initiatives

* Federal Crop Insurance Corporation/RMA’s 

Financial Statements for FYs 2018 and 2017

Improvement 

Initiatives

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation/RMA’s 

Financial Statements for FYs 2019 and 2018

Improvement 

Initiatives

RMA’s Controls Over Multiple Peril Crop 

Insurance Policies With Additional Coverage 

for Hail

Integrity of Benefits

Whole Farm Revenue Protection Pilot Program 

Underwriting

Integrity of Benefits

RUS * Infrastructure Funding for Substantially 

Underserved Trust Areas

Improvement 

Initiatives
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 23 

Notes on Appendix F:

* Denotes work-in-process, which is carried over from an assignment initiated 

in the prior fiscal year.

Goal 1: Safety and Security: Strengthen USDA’s ability to implement and 

improve safety and security measures to protect the public health, as well as 

agricultural and Departmental resources.

Goal 2: Integrity of Benefits: Detect and reduce program vulnerabilities and 

deficiencies to strengthen the integrity of the Department’s programs.

Goal 3: Improvement Initiatives: Provide USDA with oversight to help it 

achieve results-oriented performance.
24 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

The following table illustrates OIG’s strategic goals, the direct resources to be 

spent on each goal, and the new FY 2019 performance targets. 

APPENDIX G: OVERVIEW OF OIG PLANS 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019

Percentage of Direct Resources To Be Spent on Each 

FY 2019 Goal Audit Investigations

Strengthen USDA’s ability to implement and improve 

safety and security measures to protect the public health, 

as well as agricultural and Departmental resources.

21% 5%

Detect and reduce USDA program vulnerabilities 

and deficiencies to strengthen the integrity of the 

Department’s programs. 

39% 90%

Provide USDA with oversight to help it achieve 

results-oriented performance.

40% 5%

Recruit, develop, and maintain a highly qualified and 

diverse workforce while fostering a work environment 

that promotes productivity, innovation, excellence, and 

employee satisfaction.

N/A N/A

Note:

Work on Goal 4 includes: (1) the OIG mission support work of the Offices of 

Counsel, Data Sciences, Management, Diversity and Conflict Resolution, and 

Compliance and Integrity; and (2) the training of staff in all OIG organizational 

units.
 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019 25 

AMS ..................................... Agricultural Marketing Service

APHIS .......................... Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

ARS....................................... Agricultural Research Service

CCC.................................... Commodity Credit Corporation

DM ....................................... Departmental Management

ERS ........................................ Economic Research Service

FISMA ....................... Federal Information Security Modernization Act

FNS ......................................... Food and Nutrition Service

FS ................................................... Forest Service

FSA ............................................ Farm Service Agency

FSIS .................................. Food Safety and Inspection Service

FY ...................................................... fiscal year

IT............................................. information technology

NIFA ............................. National Institute of Food and Agriculture

NRCS ............................. Natural Resources Conservation Service

OASCR ....................... Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

OCFO ................................ Office of the Chief Financial Officer

ODS .......................................... Office of Data Sciences

OIG ....................................... Office of Inspector General

RHS ............................................. Rural Housing Service

APPENDIX H: ACRONYMS AND 

ABBREVIATIONS
26 ANNUAL PLAN FY 2019

RMA........................... Risk Management Agency

RUS ............................... Rural Utilities Service

SFSP ......................... Summer Food Service Program

SNAP ................ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

USDA ........................ U.S. Department of Agriculture
Performance Measures FY 19 Target

Organizational Results

Percentage of OIG direct resources dedicated to critical-risk or 

high-impact activities to improve USDA’s safety and security measures, 

strengthen program integrity, or achieve results-oriented performance.

96%

Percentage of audit recommendations that strengthen internal controls 

and/or recover program funds where management decisions are 

achieved within 1 year.

95%

Percentage of stakeholder-requested and mandated audit products (e.g., 

Congress or Administration) issued by the agreed upon deadline (including 

verbal commitments).

95%

Percentage of closed investigations that resulted in a referral for action to 

the Department of Justice, State, or local law enforcement officials, or a 

relevant administrative authority.

85%

Percentage of closed investigations that resulted in an indictment, 

conviction, civil suit or settlement, judgment, administrative action, or 

monetary result.

80%

Meet statutory deadlines (20 working days) on responses to Freedom of 

Information Act appeals.

95%

Internal and external IT security incidence response and proper resolution 

accomplished within 30 days of incident.

95%

Internal Management

On an annual basis, positive employee engagement index reported in staff 

surveys.

70%

Positive evaluation scores on OIG internal training course evaluations. 85%

Percent of ODS clients reporting that the data analysis product contributed 

positively to the OIG mission and goals.

95%

Visible and interactive communication between Senior Staff and all 

OIG employees occurs bi-monthly.

85%

Equal employment opportunity counselors’ internal and external reports will 

be completed within 15 calendar days after the counseling period ends.

85%

Internal quality assurance review reports issued in final with management 

response within 60 days.

85%

Internal quality assurance review report recommendations accepted 

annually.

90%

Inspector General subpoenas issued within 5 working days (of receipt of 

complete information), and judicial challenges result in enforcement. 

95%

OIG PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR

FY 2019
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal 

(USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made 

employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are available in languages other than English.

prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, 

gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program 

marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program 

assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA 

activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a 

apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 

program or incident. to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign 

Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Learn more about USDA OIG

Visit our website: www.usda.gov/oig/index.htm

Follow us on Twitter: @OIGUSDA

How to Report Suspected Wrongdoing in USDA Programs

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

File complaint online: www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm

Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. ET

In Washington, DC 202-690-1622

Outside DC 800-424-9121

TDD (Call Collect) 202-690-1202

Bribes or Gratuities

202-720-7257 (24 hours)