OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL Department of Homeland Security
Appendix A Objective, Scope, and Methodology Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107−296) by amendment to the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. app. 3 (1978). Our audit objective was to determine to what extent FEMA managed and distributed commodities in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. To answer the objective, we interviewed FEMA, Puerto Rico, and contract officials, reviewed applicable policies and procedures related to disaster support, conducted site visits, observed operations, and analyzed LSCMS data. We evaluated FEMA’s internal controls to the extent necessary to accomplish our objective. Specifically, we developed an understanding of internal controls over the commodity distribution process by reviewing program documentation and other FEMA and DHS guidance, and interviewing FEMA personnel assigned to oversee and manage the process. We assessed the internal controls in place at the time of the response, and examined their effectiveness in light of the evidence obtained throughout the audit. To determine how FEMA managed and distributed commodities in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, we met with officials from FEMA including FEMA Headquarters, FEMA Region II, the Joint Field Office, and the FSAs in Puerto Rico. We interviewed representatives from the National Response Coordination Center. We also interviewed officials from across the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA), the Puerto Rico National Guard, the Puerto Rico State Guard, and the Puerto Rico municipalities. We conducted site visits in Jacksonville, FL, which included the Port of Jacksonville and a Federal Staging Area. We also conducted site visits in Puerto Rico, which included the Joint Field Office, the Port of San Juan, FEMA’s Caribbean Distribution Center, two FSAs, one RSA, and several warehouse facilities used to store commodities. We obtained an understanding of FEMA’s supply chain management process, including use of LSCMS. We also obtained an understanding of FEMA’s regional planning and preparedness process, including PREMA’s role and responsibilities in that process. www.oig.dhs.gov
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