Semiannual Report to Congress: April 1 - September 30, 1997

During this reporting period, the Office of Inspector General continued to
advise Headquarters and field managers of opportunities to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of the Department's management controls, with
particular emphasis on coverage of issues addressed in the Department's
Strategic Plan. We also have supported the Department's reinvention and
streamlining initiatives by evaluating the cost effectiveness and overall efficiency
of Department programs and operations, placing special emphasis on key issue
areas which have historically benefited from Office of Inspector General
attention. In addition, we have concentrated on reviewing performance-based
contracts and cost reduction incentive programs. We view these efforts as
assisting the Department in implementing the Government Performance and
Results Act which requires the Department to establish strategic planning and
performance measurement. During this reporting period, we have issued a
number of reports in which we discussed planning and performance
measurement and have other audits or reviews in process or planned for the
next fiscal year that will focus on these areas.t