Administrative Investigation, Prohibited Personnel Practice and Preferential Treatment, National Cemetery Administration, VA Central Office

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
13-03899-216
VISN
State
District
VA Office
National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
Report Author
Office of Investigations
Report Type
Administrative Investigation
Recommendations
2
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The former Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs engaged in a prohibited personnel practice when he created a position and preselcted an employee for that position. He also engaged in preferential treatment of an NCA contractor when he developed a less-than-arm's-length relationship with the contractor. Further, NCA improperly gave the contractor sole-source contracts to provide one-to-one services to select NCA employees.

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with OHR and OGC to determine the appropriate corrective action to take, if any, as it relates to the two applicants listed on the certificate of eligibles who were not afforded the same preference in this hiring effort.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
We recommend that the VA Chief of Staff confer with OGC to review any active contracts with Ms. Noonan to ensure there is no organizational conflict of interest, as well as determine the appropriateness of the sole-source one-to-one contracts, and take the appropriate corrective action, if any.