Quick Response Fund: Management Controls Have Improved but Earlier Projects Need Attention

Abstract

Abstract : In August 2007, the Department of State (DoS) established the Quick Response Fund (QRF) program and since then has allocated $258.2 million to fund local projects to promote economic and social development in Iraq. QRF funds were provided through grants, micro-grants, direct procurements, and micro-purchases of materials-such as seed, fertilizer, or books-to local neighborhood and government officials and to members of community-based groups, such as nonprofit organizations, business and professional associations, charities, and educational institutions. The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) previously reviewed DoS's management of the QRF program. SIGIR reported that although DoS had developed a sound process for reviewing and selecting projects, DoS still needed to develop an appropriate process for monitoring and evaluating projects to determine their outcomes. SIGIR also reported that DoS needed to establish procedures to ensure that QRF project files contained all required documentation that identified project results including closeout documentation. Three other reviews of the QRF program conducted in 2008 and 2009 all identified similar issues with monitoring, measuring, and reporting project outcomes. SIGIR initiated this review to examine the adequacy of DoS and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) management controls to help prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

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