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Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Oversight

Announced on  | Last Modified on  | Project Number: A-03-20-03002
Status
Completed
Agency
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response

OBJECTIVE

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) leads the Nation's medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of ASPR, aids in safeguarding our nation from pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases, and supports the transition of medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, from research through advanced development. Congressional FY 2018 and FY 2019 appropriations for BARDA were made available to support advanced research and development pursuant to section 319L of the Public Health Service Act and other administrative expenses of BARDA.We intend to audit the obligations and expenditures made from these appropriations to determine whether they were used for their intended purpose in accordance with Federal requirements.

TIMELINE

REPORT PUBLISHED

Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019 Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority Appropriations May Not Have Been Used for Their Intended Purpose in Accordance With Federal Requirements (A-03-20-03002)

24-A-03-059.01 to ASPR - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 11/28/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response develop internal written policies and procedures for the JFA process that align with Federal requirements and include the use of allocation methodologies that accurately reflect the benefiting offices' use of the product or service.

24-A-03-059.02 to ASPR - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 09/19/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response review the FY 2018 and 2019 JFA allocation methodologies along with the methodologies used during subsequent FYs to determine whether the costs were allocated to each office based on appropriate methodologies, and correct any improper allocations to avoid potential Antideficiency Act violations.

24-A-03-059.03 to ASPR - Closed Implemented
Closed on 03/19/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response maintain documentation of the work performed by employees whose salaries are paid using BARDA funds to ensure that appropriations are used for their intended purposes in accordance with Federal requirements.

24-A-03-059.04 to ASPR - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 10/16/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response review the 10 remaining sampled employees that we could not interview to determine whether any salaries were improperly charged to BARDA appropriations and identify potential Antideficiency Act violations.

24-A-03-059.05 to ASPR - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 10/16/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response report any Antideficiency Act violations identified.

View in Recommendation Tracker
Work Plan Type
Office of Audit Services
HHS Agencies
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
Issue Areas
Departmental Operational Issues Emergency Preparedness and Response Financial Stewardship
Target Groups
-
Financial Groups
-