NTIA Has Significantly Reduced its Unliquidated Obligation Balances But Can Further Strengthen Review and Documentation Procedures

This final report documents the results of our audit on the effectiveness of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA’s) unliquidated obligation (ULO) review policies and procedures developed since our OIG audit report issued in June 2013 (OIG-13-026-A). In our 2013 report, we concluded that Department-wide controls over the management of ULOs needed strengthening. We also concluded that effective management of outstanding obligation balances allows bureaus to review and deobligate unneeded funds, promoting a better use of federal resources. Our objective for the current audit was to evaluate the effectiveness of NTIA obligation and deobligation practices, as well as review policies and procedures that were implemented, since our June 2013 audit report.