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Audit of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Travel Charge Card Program

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
OIG-NRC-25-A-01
Report Type
Audit
Description
The OIG identified areas where the NRC should refine its travel charge card procedures and enhance its prevention and detection measures. The OIG found travel charge card accounts that remained open after employee separations, as well as accounts with credit limits exceeding policy-defined limits or operational needs. The OIG also found that the NRC does not provide charge card refresher training. Further, certain premium class travel authorizations did not have the required supporting documentation or were not properly authorized or justified, resulting in $47,791 of questioned costs. Finally, the OIG identified travel card transactions unrelated to official travel, which have been referred to our Investigations Division for further review. The report contains nine recommendations intended to help the NRC prevent and detect travel charge card misuse and payment delinquencies.
Joint Report
Yes
Participating OIG
Nuclear Regulatory Commission OIG
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$47791
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

Implement refresher training for all travel cardholders and maintain documentation to support its timely completion

Agency Response Dated December 3, 2024: Agree. OCFO worked with OCHCO to update training in Talent Management System (TMS) which was completed in July 2024. TMS automatically populates training for travel<br />
charge card holders training profile to take mandatory refresher training every two years. Documentation of<br />
training completion will be maintained in TMS to confirm timely participation. Complete.<br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG reviewed the Travel Card Training Assignment Report coordinated between the OCFO and OCHCO to implement the training requirements in TMS and determined it addressed the recommendation.

Determine if the $47,791 in questioned costs for first and business class travel are allowable and provide the corrective actions taken on any costs deemed disallowed.

Agency Response<br />
Dated December 3, 2024: Agree. We will conduct a thorough review of the $47,791 in questioned premium-class travel expenses to confirm their allowability. If any costs are determined disallowed, we will consider corrective actions.<br />
To prevent future occurrences, we will update the premium class approval memo. Estimated Completion Date: September 30, 2025<br />
OIG Analysis: The OCFO plans to review the $47,791 in questioned costs, perform corrective actions as needed, and update the premium class approval memo to address the recommendation. The recommendation will remain open<br />
until management provides the OIG with the results of its review and the updated premium class approval memo.

Require the approval memoranda and supporting documentation for first and business class travel to be submitted and retained with the travel authorizations.

Agency Response Dated December 3, 2024: Agree. The OCFO has established a standard process whereby all approval memoranda and relevant documentation are attached directly to the travel authorization (TA) record in eTravel system. This requirement is already documented in MD 14.1 Official Temporary Duty Travel. Going forward staff will ensure<br />
documentation is attached to each travel authorization in the eTravel system. Central Allowance Branch will ensure appropriate documentation is included with the TA before premium class approval. Complete.<br />
OIG Analysis: The OCFO’s Central Allowance Branch will ensure the appropriate documentation for approved premium class travel is attached to the travel authorization. This addresses the recommendation; therefore, this recommendation is now closed.

Implement a process for returning incomplete or inadequately justified premium class travel requests to the traveler for necessary revisions. This process should include clear instructions to the traveler on what needs to be rectified.

Agency Response Dated December 3, 2024: Agree. OCFO has implemented a structured review process whereby any requests lacking sufficient justification are returned to the traveler with explicit instructions for revision. This process will help ensure that premium-class travel is consistently justified and appropriately documented, enhancing compliance with travel policies. Complete.<br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG reviewed the OCFO’s corrective action to address the recommendation and agrees with the OCFO’s process to verify justification using the Travel Checklist; if found insufficient, return it to the traveler for revision.