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VA ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT: Supply Chain Management and COVID-19 Response
Pandemic points up weaknesses of procurement solutions US Department of Veterans Affairs acquires hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of medical supplies each year. The Medical-Surgical Prime Vendor-Next Generation (MSPV-NG) is one of its key initiatives to modrnize its processes. GAO auditor pointed in their previous audits that the approach lacked an effective medical supply procurement strategy, clinician involvement, and reliable data systems. In time of the pandemic, the problem seems even more difficult to deal with.
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Pandemic points up weaknesses of procurement solutions US Department of Veterans Affairs acquires hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of medical supplies each year. The Medical-Surgical Prime Vendor-Next Generation (MSPV-NG) is one of its key initiatives to modrnize its processes. GAO auditor pointed in their previous audits that the approach lacked an effective medical supply procurement strategy, clinician involvement, and reliable data systems. In time of the pandemic, the problem seems even more difficult to deal with.
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US Government Accountability Office
, issued in 2019
Risk cases: 4
Centralisation of support services of state authorities
Most goals of centralisation of support services were achived Centralisation of support services of state authorities has generally been successful, the quality of accounting has improved, and accounting has become more effective. The objective of saving on costs was not achieved. It would be beneficial to analyse the implementation of a similar model in local governments, i.e. concentrating the accounting services to central units in order to improve the quality of accounting and make work more effective. It would allow saving working time on doing routine accounting procedures and use this time more for financial management, which helps to use public funds better and more expediently.
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Most goals of centralisation of support services were achived Centralisation of support services of state authorities has generally been successful, the quality of accounting has improved, and accounting has become more effective. The objective of saving on costs was not achieved. It would be beneficial to analyse the implementation of a similar model in local governments, i.e. concentrating the accounting services to central units in order to improve the quality of accounting and make work more effective. It would allow saving working time on doing routine accounting procedures and use this time more for financial management, which helps to use public funds better and more expediently.
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National Audit Office of Estonia
, issued in 2018
Risk cases: 2
Protection against fraud in migration activities at missions abroad
Migration activities can be a subject to fraud The audit showed that reports on alleged fraud in migration activities at missions abroad increased continually between 2014 and 2017. Altogether about 60 alleged cases of fraud were reported during the period, including selling interview appointments, stolen visa stickers, issuing visas on false grounds and prohibited searches in case management systems. Missions abroad, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish Migration Board are all responsible for migration activities at missions abroad. The division of responsibility between them is sometimes unclear and difficult to assess. According to the Swedish NAO this leads to particular challenges in ensuring satisfactory and common protection against fraud at missions abroad. Ensuring protection is made even more difficult in that the missions abroad vary regarding in terms of size, case volume, case mix and risk exposure. In addition, for the missions abroad the internal control requirements are notsufficiently explicit.
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Migration activities can be a subject to fraud The audit showed that reports on alleged fraud in migration activities at missions abroad increased continually between 2014 and 2017. Altogether about 60 alleged cases of fraud were reported during the period, including selling interview appointments, stolen visa stickers, issuing visas on false grounds and prohibited searches in case management systems. Missions abroad, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish Migration Board are all responsible for migration activities at missions abroad. The division of responsibility between them is sometimes unclear and difficult to assess. According to the Swedish NAO this leads to particular challenges in ensuring satisfactory and common protection against fraud at missions abroad. Ensuring protection is made even more difficult in that the missions abroad vary regarding in terms of size, case volume, case mix and risk exposure. In addition, for the missions abroad the internal control requirements are notsufficiently explicit.
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Swedish National Audit Office
, issued in 2018
Risk cases: 2
Does the state administration effectively use the stored information?
State administration could use the accumulated information more effectively Latvian auditors found that government institutions have a good cooperation in the area of data use, but there are still several areas wherein a person still has to perform the function of a 'courier'. Many channels of data exchange and distribution used in state administration create a fragmented and complicated environment for maintenance of ICT, while responsible ministry does not become actively involved and does not coordinate cooperation of institutions.
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State administration could use the accumulated information more effectively Latvian auditors found that government institutions have a good cooperation in the area of data use, but there are still several areas wherein a person still has to perform the function of a 'courier'. Many channels of data exchange and distribution used in state administration create a fragmented and complicated environment for maintenance of ICT, while responsible ministry does not become actively involved and does not coordinate cooperation of institutions.
Full description
State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia
, issued in 2017
Risk cases: 4
Australian Taxation Office: Administration of Australian Business Number Registrations
More elligibility and data integrity needed The Australian Business Number (ABN) and Australian Business Register initiatives were implemented as part of theGovernment's comprehensive reform of the taxation system in 2000. Their introduction involved challenging issues of technology and governance , including the imperative to process and register significant numbers of applications in a short time. Overall, the Australian SAI concluded that the ABN registration process is operating effectively. However, matters relating to the eligibility of some ABN applicants need to be reviewed. Further, some data integrity issues remain outstanding.
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More elligibility and data integrity needed The Australian Business Number (ABN) and Australian Business Register initiatives were implemented as part of theGovernment's comprehensive reform of the taxation system in 2000. Their introduction involved challenging issues of technology and governance , including the imperative to process and register significant numbers of applications in a short time. Overall, the Australian SAI concluded that the ABN registration process is operating effectively. However, matters relating to the eligibility of some ABN applicants need to be reviewed. Further, some data integrity issues remain outstanding.
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The Australian National Audit Office
, issued in 2003
Risk cases: 3
Cyber security of border controls operated by Dutch border guards at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Airport prepares for cyber attacks Who does not know the Amsterdam Airport? As put by the Netherlands Court of Audits: the IT systems used for border controls at the Schiphol Airport are in the midst of a process of rapid development. The auditors reviewed the process and pointed at necessity of formal certification and better mechanism of information analysis. The report picutres also the organisation of the controls - must read for all frequent fliers
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Airport prepares for cyber attacks Who does not know the Amsterdam Airport? As put by the Netherlands Court of Audits: the IT systems used for border controls at the Schiphol Airport are in the midst of a process of rapid development. The auditors reviewed the process and pointed at necessity of formal certification and better mechanism of information analysis. The report picutres also the organisation of the controls - must read for all frequent fliers
Full description
Netherlands Court of Audits
, issued in 2020
Risk cases: 8
The Shared Services Centre
The necessary environment for the efficient management of the Shared Service Center is lacking The department's administration of the Shared Services Centre (SSC) has been effective for sharing resources between the departments and delivering selected back-office services to a small client base. However, the governance arrangements established to oversight the SSC have not positioned it well for the future and the departments have not yet determined if the arrangement is efficient and resulting in savings. ANAO found instances where the advisory board of SSC was not consulted or involved in decisions relating to the strategic direction, financial arrangements and expenditure priorities. Information reported to the board did not focus on areas of strategic importance and the quality and completeness of this information could be improved. The mechanisms established for setting out responsibilities and obligations and ensuring transparency for services delivered by the SSC was weak. Service standards and levels were not fixed and can change. The delineation of responsibilities between the SSC and its clients was not clear and there was no commitment by the SSC to certify the quality of its control framework.
Full description
The necessary environment for the efficient management of the Shared Service Center is lacking The department's administration of the Shared Services Centre (SSC) has been effective for sharing resources between the departments and delivering selected back-office services to a small client base. However, the governance arrangements established to oversight the SSC have not positioned it well for the future and the departments have not yet determined if the arrangement is efficient and resulting in savings. ANAO found instances where the advisory board of SSC was not consulted or involved in decisions relating to the strategic direction, financial arrangements and expenditure priorities. Information reported to the board did not focus on areas of strategic importance and the quality and completeness of this information could be improved. The mechanisms established for setting out responsibilities and obligations and ensuring transparency for services delivered by the SSC was weak. Service standards and levels were not fixed and can change. The delineation of responsibilities between the SSC and its clients was not clear and there was no commitment by the SSC to certify the quality of its control framework.
Full description
The Australian National Audit Office
, issued in 2016
Risk cases: 2
Performance measurement by regulators
Performance measurement for regulators Primary adressees of this good practice guide - by the British NAO - are regulators, the public institutions established for making sure that an industry or system works legally and fairly. But we are sure that many more can find this guidance useful - including auditors. NAO presents a comprehensible framework for performance measurement and hints how to focus on influence that regulators can use.
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Performance measurement for regulators Primary adressees of this good practice guide - by the British NAO - are regulators, the public institutions established for making sure that an industry or system works legally and fairly. But we are sure that many more can find this guidance useful - including auditors. NAO presents a comprehensible framework for performance measurement and hints how to focus on influence that regulators can use.
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National Audit Office
, issued in 2016
Risk cases: 2
Does the Public Investment in Internet Access Reach the Population?
Middle mile network is not enough Latvia is known for its high-speed Internet provided to individuaals and business. Auditors verified results of the Government's effort to strengthen national infrastructure in this regard. They ponted at issues in: planning, risk analysis, information flow, quality and impact.
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Middle mile network is not enough Latvia is known for its high-speed Internet provided to individuaals and business. Auditors verified results of the Government's effort to strengthen national infrastructure in this regard. They ponted at issues in: planning, risk analysis, information flow, quality and impact.
Full description
State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia
, issued in 2020
Risk cases: 6
Housing in England: overview
Efforts to support housing Even if housebuilding in England has not kept pace with need and there has been a reduction in social rented homes, significant advantages can be enjoyed: an increase in home ownership and in the number of private rented homes. The quality of housing improved in recent years too. The National Audit Office has reviewed critical elements of the housing being one of the government's key priorities. Looking for risks, they found that a potential conflict of objectives can lead to tensions in delivery.
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Efforts to support housing Even if housebuilding in England has not kept pace with need and there has been a reduction in social rented homes, significant advantages can be enjoyed: an increase in home ownership and in the number of private rented homes. The quality of housing improved in recent years too. The National Audit Office has reviewed critical elements of the housing being one of the government's key priorities. Looking for risks, they found that a potential conflict of objectives can lead to tensions in delivery.
Full description
National Audit Office
, issued in 2017
Risk cases: 2