DHS IG to investigate award fees in 2009

The Homeland Security Department's inspector general plans to audit award fees to contractors and review acquisition data management among other investigations next year, according to the office's fiscal 2009 annual performance plan released today.

DHS IG Richard Skinner said 78 new investigations will be conducted next year, and 75 audits will be carried over from fiscal 2008 and previous years.

Twenty of the new audits will review programs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including its implementation of enterprise architecture and its contracting officer's technical representative program.

Seventeen new investigations will target DHS' Management Directorate, and nine audits are scheduled for Customs and Border Protection.

The IG's office also released a five-year strategic plan that details the IG's role and mission at the department.