[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 134 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36602-36605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17649]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority
This statement amends Part S of the Statement of the Organization,
Functions and Delegations of Authority which covers the Social Security
Administration (SSA). Notice is given that Chapter S8 for the Office of
the Inspector General is being amended to reflect internal
organizational realignments within the Office of the Inspector General
(OIG) (S8A). The Office of Audits (OA) (S8C) will be retitled the
Office of Audit (OA) (S8C) throughout Chapter S8. The Office of
Evaluations and Inspections (OEI) (S8E) will be abolished and the
functions integrated into the Office of Audit (OA) (S8C). Two new
offices, the Office of Management Services (S8G) and the Office of the
Counsel to the Inspector General (S8H), and their corresponding
subchapters will be established. A subordinate divisional structure
will be established for the following two main offices: the Office of
Investigations and the Office of Audit. The changes are as follows:
Section S8.00 The Office of the Inspector General--(Mission)
Amend to read as follows:
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is directly responsible
for meeting the statutory mission of promoting economy, efficiency and
effectiveness in SSA programs and operations by reducing the incidence
of fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement. To accomplish this mission,
the OIG directs, conducts and supervises a comprehensive program of
audits, evaluations and investigations, relating to SSA's programs and
operations. The OIG also searches for systemic weaknesses in SSA
programs and operations and makes recommendations for needed
improvements.
Section S8.10 The Office of the Inspector General--(Organization)
Retitle throughout Chapter S8:
E. The Office of Audits (S8C) to The Office of Audit (S8C)
Delete:
F. The Office of Evaluations and Inspections (S8E)
Add:
F. The Office of Management Services (S8G)
G. The Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General (S8H)
Section S8.20 The Office of the Inspector General--(Functions)
Add as last sentence:
B. Also, is responsible for the Executive Secretariat function.
Amend to read as follows:
C. The Immediate Office of the Inspector General (S8A) provides the
Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General with staff assistance on
the full range of their responsibilities.
D. The Office of Investigations (OI) (S8B) conducts and coordinates
investigative activity related to fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement
in SSA programs and operations. This includes wrongdoing by applicants,
grantees, or contractors, or by SSA employees in the performance of
their official duties. Serves as the OIG liaison to the Department of
Justice on all matters relating to investigations of SSA programs and
personnel, and reports to the Attorney General when the OIG has reason
to believe Federal criminal law has been violated. The OI works with
other investigative agencies and organizations on special projects and
assignments. In support of its mission, the OI carries out and
maintains an internal quality assurance system.
E. The Office of Audit (OA) (S8C) provides audit policy direction
for, and
[[Page 36603]]
conducts and oversees comprehensive audits and evaluations of SSA
programs, operations, grantees and contractors, following generally
accepted Government auditing standards. The OA maintains an internal
quality assurance system, including periodic quality assessment studies
and quality control reviews, to provide reasonable assurance that
applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards and other
requirements are followed in all audit activities performed by, or on
behalf of, SSA.
Delete:
F. In its entirety.
Add:
F. The Office of Management Services (OMS) (S8G) provides staff
assistance to the Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General.
Working with the Counsel to the Inspector General, OMS conducts and
coordinates OIG reviews of existing and proposed legislation and
regulations related to SSA programs and operations to identify their
impact on economy and efficiency, and their potential for fraud and
abuse. Serves as the OIG contact for the press and electronic media and
as the OIG Congressional liaison. Coordinates the development of the
OIG long-range strategic plan and the OIG annual work plan. Compiles
the Semiannual Report to the Congress. Formulates and assists the IG
with the execution of the OIG budget and confers with the Office of the
Commissioner, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Congress on
budget matters. Conducts management analyses and establishes and
coordinates general management policies of the OIG. Serves as the OIG
liaison on personnel management and other administrative and management
policies and practices, as well as on equal employment opportunity and
civil rights matters.
G. The Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG) (S8H)
provides independent authoritative legal advice, guidance and counsel
to the IG and senior staff on legal issues; regulatory strategy;
legislative proposals; and integration and interpretation of new and
emerging authorities and Agency responsibilities under anticipated and
current regulatory authorities. The OCIG provides advice on the legal
issues being deliberated concerning relevant regulatory and procedural
information and reviews documents and other materials to ensure
sufficiency and compliance with regulatory requirements. The OCIG is
responsible for the implementation of the Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP)
program, including imposition of penalties and assessments and the
settlement and litigation of CMP cases. The OCIG is also responsible
for the coordination and drafting of regulatory commentary.
Section S8B.00 The Office of Investigations--(Mission)
Amend to read as follows:
The Office of Investigations (OI) (S8B) conducts and coordinates
investigative activity related to fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement
in SSA programs and operations. This includes wrongdoing by applicants,
grantees, or contractors, or by SSA employees in the performance of
their official duties. Serves as the OIG liaison to the Department of
Justice on all matters relating to investigations of SSA programs and
personnel and reports to the Attorney General when the OIG has reason
to believe Federal criminal law has been violated. The OI works with
other investigative agencies and organizations on special projects and
assignments. In support of its mission, the OI carries out and
maintains an internal quality assurance system.
Section S8B.10 The Office of Investigations--(Organization)
Reletter:
``B'' to ``C.''
Amend to read as follows:
C. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Inspector General for
Investigations (S8B).
Add:
B. The Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations (S8B).
D. The Special Operations Division (SOD) (S8BA).
E. The Headquarters Operations Division (HOD) (S8BB).
Section S8B.20 The Office of Investigations--(Functions)
Delete:
Functional statements B.1. through B.17.
Reletter:
``B'' to ``C.''
Amend to read as follows:
C. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Inspector General for
Investigations (S8B) provides the Assistant Inspector General and
Deputy Assistant Inspector General with staff assistance on the full
range of their responsibilities.
Add:
B. The Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations (S8B)
assists the Assistant Inspector General in carrying out his/her
responsibilities. Directs and coordinates the investigative field
offices which conduct OI investigative operations and programs in the
United States and in foreign countries. Performs other duties as the
Assistant Inspector General may prescribe.
D. The Special Operations Division (SOD) (S8BA) is responsible for
the research, development and implementation of new investigative
initiatives, techniques and operations in order to provide a proactive
response to SSA fraud.
1. The division identifies systemic and programmatic
vulnerabilities in SSA's operations and makes recommendations for
changes to the appropriate official.
2. The division leads outreach activities to State and local
investigative agencies.
3. The division provides pertinent information from SSA records to
assist Federal, State and local investigative agencies to detect,
investigate and prosecute fraud.
E. The Headquarters Operations Division (HOD) (S8BB) is responsible
for the administration, training, policy development and oversight,
including implementation and compliance within the OI.
1. The division manages the operation of the SSA, OIG Hotline to
receive complaints and allegations of fraud, waste and abuse; and to
refer the information for investigation, audit, program review or other
appropriate action. Coordinates with the General Accounting Office
Hotline and hotlines from other agencies.
2. The division is responsible for the preparation of periodic OI
reports and the quality assurance of investigative operations and
products.
3. The division develops general management policy for OI;
coordinates general management processes; develops and issues
instructional media on wrongdoing, and on investigating and processing
cases; and plans, develops, implements and evaluates all levels of
employee training in OI.
Section S8C.00 The Office of Audit--(Mission)
Amend to read as follows:
The Office of Audit (OA) (S8C) provides audit policy direction for
conducts and oversees comprehensive audits and evaluations of SSA
programs, operations, grantees and contractors, following generally
accepted Government auditing standards. The OA maintains an internal
quality assurance system, including periodic quality assessment studies
and quality control reviews, to provide reasonable assurance that
applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards and other
requirements are
[[Page 36604]]
followed in all audit activities performed by, or on behalf of, SSA.
Section S8C.10 The Office of Audit--(Organization)
Reletter:
``B'' to ``C.''
Amend to read as follows:
C. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Inspector General for
Audit (S8C).
Add:
B. The Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audit (S8B)
D. The Central Operations Division (COD) (S8CA).
E. The Evaluations and Technical Services Division (ETSD) (S8CB).
F. The Program Audits Division (PAD) (S8CC).
Section S8C.20 The Office of Audit--(Functions)
Reletter:
``B'' to ``C.''
Amend to read as follows:
C. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Inspector General for
Audit (S8C) includes policy, planning and reporting and provides the
Assistant Inspector General with staff assistance on the full range of
his/her responsibilities.
1. Develops audit policy, procedures, standards, criteria and
instructions for all audit activities performed by, or on behalf of, or
conforming with SSA programs, grants, contracts of operations,
complying with generally accepted Government auditing standards and
other legal, regulatory and administrative requirements.
2. Develops policy and procedure for an internal quality assurance
system to provide reasonable assurance that applicable laws,
regulations, procedures, standards and other requirements are followed
in all audit activities performed by, or on behalf of, SSA.
3. Conducts quality assurance studies to ensure that the policies
and procedures are implemented by each OA component and are functioning
as intended.
4. Develops and monitors audit work plans; and tracks, monitors,
and reports on audit resolution.
Add:
B. The Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audit (S8C) assists
the Assistant Inspector General in carrying out his/her
responsibilities.
D. The Central Operations Division (COD) (S8CA) plans, conducts,
oversees and reports on the results of audits on the following areas:
Centralized Automated Data Processing; Operation Financial Management;
and General Management Areas which include grant and contract
operations, facilities management, personnel and payroll.
E. The Evaluations and Technical Services Division (ETSD) (S8CB)
plans, conducts, oversees and reports on the results of special studies
of SSA's operations.
1. The division performs and reports on the results of reviews of
SSA's customer service.
2. The division plans, develops and coordinates advanced techniques
to carry out OA's functions. Such techniques include statistical
sampling, specialized data extraction and analysis, computer
programming and automated data processing auditing.
3. The division develops and maintains the OA Management
Information System.
F. The Program Audits Division (PAD) (S8CC) plans, conducts,
oversees and reports on the results of the Retirement, Survivors and
Disability Insurance Program; the Supplemental Security Income Program;
and the Black Lung Insurance Program. Specific program audit
responsibilities include: Enumeration; Retirement, Survivors and
Disability Insurance Initial Claims; Earnings Operations; Supplemental
Security Income Initial Claims; Field Office Operations; Service to
Aliens; Hearings and Appeals; Retirement, Survivors and Disability
Insurance Post-Entitlement Operations; Disability Determination
Services; Supplemental Security Income Post-Entitlement Operations; and
Representative Payees.
Add Subchapter:
Subchapter S8G
Office of Management Services
S8G.00 Mission
S8G.10 Organization
S8G.20 Functions
Section S8G.00 The Office of Management Services--(Mission) The Office
of Management Services (OMS) (S8G) provides staff assistance to the
Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General. Working with the
Counsel to the Inspector General, OMS conducts and coordinates OIG
reviews of existing and proposed legislation and regulations related to
SSA programs and operations to identify their impact on economy and
efficiency and their potential for fraud and abuse. Serves as the OIG
contact for the press and electronic media and as the OIG Congressional
liaison. Coordinates the development of the OIG long-range strategic
plan and the OIG annual work plan. Compiles the Semiannual Report to
the Congress. Formulates and assists the IG with the execution of the
OIG budget and confers with the Office of the Commissioner, the Office
of Management and Budget, and the Congress on budget matters. Conducts
management analyses, and establishes and coordinates general management
policies of the OIG. Serves as the OIG liaison on personnel management
and other administrative and management policies and practices, as well
as on equal employment opportunity and civil rights matters.
Section S8G.10 The Office of Management Services--(Organization)
The Office of Management Services (S8G) under the leadership of the
Assistant Inspector General for Management Services, includes:
A. The Assistant Inspector General for Management Services (S8G).
B. The Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Management Services
(S8G).
C. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Inspector General for
Management Services (S8G).
Section S8G.20 The Office of Management Services--(Functions)
A. The Assistant Inspector General for Management Services (S8G) is
directly responsible to the Inspector General for carrying out the OMS
mission and providing general supervision to the major components of
OMS.
B. The Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Management Services
(S8G) assists the Assistant Inspector General in carrying out his/her
responsibilities.
C. The Immediate Office of the Assistant Inspector General for
[[Page 36605]]
Management Services (S8G) provides the Assistant Inspector General and
Deputy Assistant Inspector General with staff assistance on the full
range of their responsibilities.
Add Subchapter:
Subchapter S8H
Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General
S8H.00 Mission
S8H.10 Organization
S8H.20 Functions
Section S8H.00 The Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General--
(Mission)
The Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG) (S8H)
provides independent authoritative legal advice, guidance and counsel
to the IG and senior staff on legal issues; regulatory strategy;
legislative proposals; and integration and interpretation of new and
emerging authorities and Agency responsibilities under anticipated and
current regulatory authorities. The OCIG provides advice on the legal
issues being deliberated concerning relevant regulatory and procedural
information and reviews documents and other materials to ensure
sufficiency and compliance with regulatory requirements. The OCIG is
responsible for the implementation of the Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP)
program, including imposition of penalties and assessments, and the
settlement and litigation of CMP cases. The OCIG is also responsible
for the coordination and drafting of regulatory commentary.
Section S8H.10 The Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General--
(Organization)
The Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG) (S8H)
under the leadership of the Counsel to the Inspector General, includes:
A. Counsel to the Inspector General (S8H).
B. The Immediate Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General
(S8H).
Section S8H.20 The Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General--
(Functions)
A. The Counsel to the Inspector General (S8H) is directly
responsible to the Inspector General for providing authoritative legal
advice concerning legal and regulatory strategy; legislative proposals;
program authority and responsibilities; and the content of applicable
statutes, regulations, rulings, administrative decisions and judicial
precedents in all matters relating to audits and investigations of
Agency programs and the CMP program.
B. The Immediate Office of the Counsel to the Inspector General
(S8H) provides staff assistance to the Counsel in support of the full
range of his/her responsibilities.
1. The office implements the CMP program.
2. The office formulates CMP regulations and develops operating
policies and procedures.
3. The office conducts or directs research involving controversial
legal questions, issues, problems and complex cases concerning the
interpretation, application and enforcement of Agency statutes, rules
and regulations.
4. The office reviews, evaluates and analyzes factual and legal
issues and materials resulting from hearings, court actions and other
proceedings.
5. The office reviews proposed legislation, regulations, policies
and procedures to identify vulnerabilities and recommend modifications,
where appropriate.
6. The office reviews OIG files and records in response to Privacy
and Freedom of Information Act requests.
7. The office provides legal advice to officials and employees
regarding ethics and standards of conduct matters. Coordinates the
OIG's confidential reporting system reporting on financial interests
and outside activities.
8. The office imposes, settles and litigates CMP cases brought
under sections 1129 and 1140 of the Social Security Act.
9. The office coordinates and drafts regulatory commentary.
Dated: June 23, 1996.
David C. Williams,
Inspector General, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 96-17649 Filed 7-10-96; 8:45 am]
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