[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]
BILLING CODE 4190-29-P