Amtrak's Strategic Planning
Originally, we planned to evaluate Amtrak’s Strategic Planning process and the 2009 planning documents by comparing and contrasting the process and plans to “best practices” in strategic planning.
Improvements Needed in Vendor Repair and Return Process
Our objectives were to determine whether open purchase orders (POs) for R&R parts are closed on a timely basis and if internal controls for the R&R process including warranty repairs are effective.
AmPlan Eligibility Review
Our objectives were to determine whether only eligible dependents of Amtrak employees are receiving health and welfare benefits and if adequate internal controls are in place to ensure accuracy and to detect and prevent unnecessary expenditures by Amtrak for ineligible dependents.
Route128 Station Audit
The Office of Inspector General has completed a review of the Route 128 Station Ticket Office. Our objectives were to: (i) determine compliance with daily station accounting procedures;
(ii) verify assigned working funds, ticket stock and other assets; (iii) evaluate safeguards over these assets; and (iv) appraise the efficiency of station operations.
Mueser Rutlede Consulting Engineers
The audit objective was to determine that costs submitted by MR were in accordance with contractual terms and supported by detailed books and records. Additionally, we reviewed the qualifications of engineers assigned to the project to determine that their educational levels and experience were in accordance with contractual requirements.
Union Pacific Railroad Diesel Fuel and Fuel Handling June 1995 through December 1999
The objectives of this review were to determine whether the monthly billings for diesel fuel and fuel handling items submitted by the UP were accurate, valid, reasonable, and in compliance with the operating agreement and contract amendments between Amtrak and the UP. The audit covered the period from June I, 1995 through December 31, 1999.
Unbilled Reimbursable Retroactive Wages
Our primary objective was to identify the customers Amtrak could potentially invoice for retroactive wage increase expenses; and, to calculate and summarize by customer the amount Amtrak may be entitled to invoice each customer.
Semiannual Report to Congress #36 (April 1, 2007 - September 30, 2007)
On behalf of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General, I am pleased to present this Semiannual Report to Congress. Our Report highlights significant audits, evaluations, and investigations for the six-month period ending September 30, 2007. During the reporting period, we issued 12 audit reports with questioned costs of $207,435.
Semiannual Report to Congress #34 (April 1, 2006 - September 30, 2006)
This report, submitted pursuant to the Inspector General Act, summarizes the more significant audits, evaluations, and investigations for the six-month period ending September 30, 2006.
The OIG issued 17 audit reports in the last two quarters, including performing oversight work for the company’s audited financial statements, evaluating Amtrak’s procurement card implementation, performing federal grant compliance reviews for the New York Fire and Life Safety project, and conducting several other procurement reviews.
Semiannual Report to Congress #33 (October 1, 2005 - March 31, 2006)
This report, submitted pursuant to the Inspector General Act, summarizes the more significant audits, evaluations, and investigations for the six-month period ending March 31, 2006.
In the past six months, we have continued to work with the Board and management to identify areas for improvement in Amtrak’s programs and operations. In particular, we have committed to assisting the corporation in furthering its published strategic reform initiatives.