USDA's Management Over the Misuse of Government Vehicles

OPFM should develop procedures for agencies to follow when investigating complaints referred to them by their perspective employee misconduct investigative units. Guidance should include, at a minimum: (1) expected timeframes to address and resolve the complaints, (2) recommended courses of action for each complaint type, and (3) documentation to provide to OPFM supporting that corrective actions adequately address the complaints.

OPFM should develop procedures for OPFM personnel to follow when receiving, recording, distributing, and resolving complaints received from the public. This guidance, at a minimum, should include: (1) information to be recorded by OPFM personnel, (2) expected timeframes for agencies to address and resolve complaints once the investigating body is determined, (3) documentation necessary to obtain during the complaint process, and (4) closeout procedures once a complaint has been resolved.

OPFM should require each agency to log and track relevant data (such as employee name, time and attendance records, accident history, repeat allegations, and prior disciplinary actions) to help the employee misconduct investigative unit select complaints for further investigation.

OPFM should develop and implement procedures for all USDA agencies to consistently review driver authorizations and qualifications. Specifically, these procedures should require agencies to annually review employee records and annually certify that employees have: (1) authorization to operate a vehicle, (2) a valid driver’s license, (3) an acceptable driving history, (4) met training requirements, and (5) certified their authorization forms.

OPFM should require all USDA agencies to update their policies and establish an effective monitoring system to ensure that procedures described in Recommendation 10 are followed.