Review of Allegations Regarding Hiring and Contracting in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Review of Allegations Regarding Hiring and Contracting in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
This report presents the goals, objectives, and strategies for measuring the OIG’s FY 2010 actual performance and FY 2011 planned activities.
Special Inquiry: Review of Allegations Regarding Hiring and Contracting in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
In April 2010, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) began receiving allegations concerning hiring and contracting practices within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). These allegations included:
1. Improprieties in the hiring of a contract employee to a senior Federal career position, including concerns that the contract employee was pre-selected or otherwise had an unfair advantage;
2. Performance of inherently governmental duties, including the supervision of Federal employees, by the same contract employee; and,
3. Award of work to a contractor without adequate competition.
Although a number of other allegations with similar concerns were received, the OIG chose to focus its attention on those outlined above because of their overall importance to the integrity of the EERE mission, especially its role in the implementation and execution of the Department of Energy's responsibilities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery
Act). Consequently, we initiated a fact-finding inquiry into these matters. To this end, we interviewed 31 current and former Department employees, including issue area specialists, and
identified and reviewed applicable Federal regulations. We also analyzed over 250,000 emails, the results of which yielded evidence, presented in our report, pertaining to the specific allegations included in the scope of our inquiry. Our analysis of emails also disclosed another area of concern that is outlined in this report.
1. Improprieties in the hiring of a contract employee to a senior Federal career position, including concerns that the contract employee was pre-selected or otherwise had an unfair advantage;
2. Performance of inherently governmental duties, including the supervision of Federal employees, by the same contract employee; and,
3. Award of work to a contractor without adequate competition.
Although a number of other allegations with similar concerns were received, the OIG chose to focus its attention on those outlined above because of their overall importance to the integrity of the EERE mission, especially its role in the implementation and execution of the Department of Energy's responsibilities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery
Act). Consequently, we initiated a fact-finding inquiry into these matters. To this end, we interviewed 31 current and former Department employees, including issue area specialists, and
identified and reviewed applicable Federal regulations. We also analyzed over 250,000 emails, the results of which yielded evidence, presented in our report, pertaining to the specific allegations included in the scope of our inquiry. Our analysis of emails also disclosed another area of concern that is outlined in this report.
Status Report: The Department of Energy's State Energy Program Formula Grants Awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), the Department of
Energy's (Department) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) received
$3.1 billion to be distributed through the State Energy Program (SEP) to stimulate the economy
by creating and preserving jobs while increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable
energy. Under the authorizing legislation for the SEP, the 50 states, 5 territories, and the District
of Columbia (states) had a degree of flexibility to design and implement programs that met their
specific energy needs and goals. In response to a Department solicitation, the states prepared
plans summarizing energy related programs and projects planned for the SEP Recovery Act
funds. After reviewing those plans, EERE awarded Recovery Act funding to the states for
approved projects consistent with the goals of the program. The $3.1 billion awarded through the
Recovery Act was a dramatic increase over the $25 million appropriated for this Program in
Fiscal Year 2009.
Energy's (Department) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) received
$3.1 billion to be distributed through the State Energy Program (SEP) to stimulate the economy
by creating and preserving jobs while increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable
energy. Under the authorizing legislation for the SEP, the 50 states, 5 territories, and the District
of Columbia (states) had a degree of flexibility to design and implement programs that met their
specific energy needs and goals. In response to a Department solicitation, the states prepared
plans summarizing energy related programs and projects planned for the SEP Recovery Act
funds. After reviewing those plans, EERE awarded Recovery Act funding to the states for
approved projects consistent with the goals of the program. The $3.1 billion awarded through the
Recovery Act was a dramatic increase over the $25 million appropriated for this Program in
Fiscal Year 2009.
Environment and Worker Safety Control Systems at the National Nuclear Security Administration's Kansas City Plant
The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration's Kansas City Plant is
located within the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City, Missouri, which also houses the
General Services Administration and other agencies. Current and former employees and families
of former employees of the Bannister Complex have recently raised concerns about serious
illnesses, in some cases leading to death, resulting from exposure to toxins at the Complex. Due
to the seriousness of the health issues that were raised, the Office of Inspector General initiated
an audit to determine whether the Kansas City Plant had controls in place to protect the
environment, and, the health and safety of its employees.
located within the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City, Missouri, which also houses the
General Services Administration and other agencies. Current and former employees and families
of former employees of the Bannister Complex have recently raised concerns about serious
illnesses, in some cases leading to death, resulting from exposure to toxins at the Complex. Due
to the seriousness of the health issues that were raised, the Office of Inspector General initiated
an audit to determine whether the Kansas City Plant had controls in place to protect the
environment, and, the health and safety of its employees.