More Resources

The ISMS Verification Team Leader's handbook has been developed to provide guidance to the ISMS verification Team Leader and the verification team. The Team Leader has a significant responsibility to ensure that the ISMS presented for review conforms to DOE regulations.

BACKGROUND In March 1999, while conducting other Inspection work, the Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General determined that officials at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore) had authorized and paid 24 months of “Professional Research or Teaching Leave” for two Livermore employees. These employees were research scholars at a local area university during this 24 month period. Professional Research or Teaching Leave is defined as leave to promote the continuing professional growth and competence of employees.

Inspection of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Professional Research or Teaching Leave

On October 19, 1998, you asked that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) undertake a review of the Department of Energy’s aircraft activities. You also requested that I report back to you within 90 days. We have gathered information concerning the number of aircraft, the level of utilization, and the cost of the Department’s aircraft operations. We have also briefly summarized four issues that, in our judgment, may require management attention. Prior to your request, the OIG had initiated a separate audit of aircraft and air service management programs at the Albuquerque Operations Office, which accounts for the largest percentage of the Department’s total expenditures on aircraft activities. Based on this audit, we concluded that Albuquerque could reduce the overall cost of its aircraft activities. We also found that the Operations Office could discontinue air service between Albuquerque and Amarillo, Texas, if it relied on currently available commercial air services. We issued the draft report to the Albuquerque Operations Office on December 4, 1998. Although taking exception to some of the tentative audit conclusions, Albuquerque agreed to take aggressive actions to reduce the cost of aviation services and to cancel the shuttle service between Albuquerque and Amarillo. Discussions are proceeding to resolve any substantive differences between this office and Albuquerque.

Audit follow-up is an integral part of good management. According to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-50, corrective action taken by Departmental officials on audit findings and recommendations is essential to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Government operations. Over the past several years, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued reports addressing a variety of Departmental challenges. Management is responsible for taking prompt and effective corrective action on those issues where Departmental concurrence has been obtained. The objective of this audit was to determine if the Department has made progress in correcting weaknesses previously disclosed through audit.h

The U.S. Department of Energy's Audit Follow-up Process

EPA discusses its responsibilities pursuant to Section 309 of the Clean Air Act to review EISs