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8 Strategic Goal Eight: Ensure Professionalism, Excellence, Accountability and Integrity in the Management and Conduct of Department of Justice Activities and Programs

Strategic Objective & Annual Goal 8.1: Integrity And Professionalism
Promote integrity and professionalism to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice

8.1A Ensure Departmental Integrity

In order for its programs and activities to be effective, all Department personnel, contractors, and grantees must conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and efficiency. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) was established to detect and prevent misconduct and mismanagement on the part of the Department’s personnel and programs. OIG investigates alleged violations of criminal and civil laws, regulations, and ethical standards arising from the conduct of the Department’s employees in their numerous and diverse activities. OIG provides leadership and assists management in promoting integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the Department and in its financial, contractual, and grant relationships with others using the coordinated efforts of OIG’s investigative, audit, and inspection resources.

Performance Measure: Investigations Closed [OIG]

bar chart: Investigations Closed [OIG]d   Data Definition: Cases that are substantiated are considered to be those resulting in criminal or civil action, or referral to management for administrative action.

Data Collection and Storage
: The OIG uses the Investigations Data Management System (IDMS) to collect data and track progress. IDMS consists of eight computer-based and four paper-based systems through which the Investigations Division records and monitors the status of allegations and the progress of investigations.

Data Validation and Verification: The Investigation Division is responsible for maintaining IDMS and ensuring accuracy and reliability through a semi-annual review of the information collected during that period.

Data Limitations: The IDMS lacks central indexing, which hampers data collection and analysis as the multiple systems require duplicate data entry and information is not cross referenced between systems. This can result in inaccurate or incomplete analysis. IDMS will be upgraded to eliminate these deficiencies in FY 2003. The upgraded IDMS II that eliminates these deficiencies will be operational in FY 2004.

8.1B Provide Professional Oversight

The Department, through its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), ensures that Department attorneys meet and maintain the high ethical standards expected of the nation’s principal law enforcement agency. Specifically, OPR reviews and investigates allegations of professional misconduct by Department of Justice attorneys, investigators or law enforcement personnel where the allegations relate to the exercise of an attorney’s authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice. Through the performance of OPR, the Department seeks to assure Congress, the courts, the state bars, and the public generally that Department attorneys, and investigative and law enforcement personnel working with the attorneys, comply with obligations and standards imposed by law, applicable rule of professional conduct, or Department regulations or policy, and that instances of failure to comply with those standards are identified, appropriate discipline is imposed, and the matters are referred to state bars.

Performance Measure: Investigations of Alleged Professional Misconduct by DOJ Attorneys [OPR]

bar chart: Investigations of Alleged Professional Misconduct by DOJ Attorneys [OPR]d  

Data Collection and Storage: OPR uses the Bibliographic Retrieval System database to preserve information on allegations received and matters in which inquiries or full investigations are conducted. Initial data are entered by OPR management analysts based on their analysis of incoming matters. Entries regarding OPR’s findings and conclusions in a matter are made based on information provided by OPR attorneys assigned to the matter.

Data Validation and Verification: The data are verified by senior OPR attorneys.

Data Limitations: None known at this time.

Strategic Objective & Annual Goal 8.2: Financial Management
Strengthen internal financial systems and promote the efficient and effective use of resources to ensure public trust and confidence

8.2A Obtain a Department-wide Unqualified Audit Opinion and Resolve Financial Management Weaknesses

Full discussion of this topic has been moved to the PMA section on Improved Financial Management.

8.2B Achieve Procurement Reform

DOJ has been participating in two Government-wide procurement initiatives. The first, to encourage the use of performance-based contracts, was fully implemented in FY 2002. The second, the Central Contractor Registration database is an online database serving as the Government-wide single point of vendor registration. It is the single validated source data on vendors doing business with the Government.

Performance Measure: DISCONTINUED MEASURE: Percent of Eligible Service Contract Dollars Using Performance-Based Contracting [JMD]

bar chart: DISCONTINUED MEASURE: % of Eligible Service Contract Dollars Using Performance-based Contracting [JMD]d  

Data Collection and Storage: Data is collected from the Federal Data Procurement System and FEDBizOpps.

Data Validation and Verification: Data is verified through year-end reviews of the Federal Data Procurement System and FEDBizOpps.

Data Limitations: None known at this time.

8.2C Conduct A-76 Program Competitions and Accurate FAIR Act Inventories

Full discussion of this topic has been moved to the PMA section on Competitive Sourcing.

8.2D Budget and Performance Integration

Full discussion of this topic has been moved to the PMA section on Budget and Performance Integration.

Strategic Objective & Annual Goal 8.3: Grant Management
Develop and maintain grant management accountability mechanisms to ensure proper dispensation and monitoring of funds

8.3A Achieve Effective Grant Management

Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) administer all grant programs for the Department of Justice. Full discussion of this topic has been moved to Strategic Goal Three.

Strategic Objective & Annual Goal 8.4: Information Technology
Improve the integrity and security of computer systems and make more effective use of information technology

8.4A Ensure IT Investments are Cost Effective and Meet Programmatic and Customer Needs

Under the direction of the DOJ Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Department provides leadership and policy direction to information technology (IT) programs in over 30 component organizations with widely divergent missions and funding. Cost-effective maintenance of current technology and timely adoption of new technology across the Department increasingly require coordinated management of technical, budgetary, and programmatic issues that impact IT investment.

The Department has established a formal IT investment management (ITIM) policy and process to ensure that investment decisions are aligned with the strategic goals of the Department, are well-planned and justified, fit within the Department’s overall IT strategy and enterprise architecture, and are managed effectively throughout the lifecycle.

Performance Measure: DISCONTINUED MEASURE: DOJ IT Investments Managed Through the Approved ITIM (IT Management Investment) Process [JMD]

bar chart: DISCONTINUED MEASURE: DOJ IT Investments Managed Through the Approved ITIM Processes [JMD]d  

Data Collection and Storage: Performance data for this indicator will be drawn from the A -11 Exhibit 300 B which is submitted to OMB annually as part of the budget.

Data Validation and Verification: Component and departmental managers reviews data.

Data Limitations: Potential comparability issues across components.

8.4B Ensure IT Security

Over the past several years, the Department has made the certification and accreditation of our information systems a priority. Systems approved in an earlier effort are now due to be reauthorized. IT systems and networks require formal authorization to operate every three years unless major changes or serious security problems require it more frequently. The Department continues to enhance its capability and tools used to track component security weaknesses and planned corrective actions identified through the certification and accreditation process and other security reviews, such as Office of the Inspector General audits and penetration tests. The Department’s oversight and monitoring capabilities will include all the required functionality and performance measures for review, oversight, Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) reporting, and program and implementation management. Additionally, a major effort continues to gather, analyze, and enter data into an automated tracking tool for all systems not previously identified in earlier system assessments, update existing information on component systems, and input the results of various types of system and program reviews. This program is central to assuring the public’s trust that information and IT systems in the Department are adequately protected against unauthorized access and use.

Performance Measure: Percent of Information Systems Certified and Accredited by the Component [JMD]

In the past year, the Department has made significant progress in meeting its objectives and implementing the requirements of the FISMA. These accomplishments include:

bar chart: % of Information Systems Certified and Accredited by the Component [JMD]d  

Data Collection and Storage: Data for this indicator are based on project oversight statistics. The data is maintained and updated in a central database.

Data Validation and Verification: Project oversight statistics are based on component self-reporting. An outside contractor will ensure the certification results through independent verification and validation.

Data Limitations: DOJ is revalidating the universe of systems to ensure comprehensive coverage of the certifications and accreditation project. Consequently, the FY 1999 percent reported on the accompanying chart may be based on an overlapping, but slightly different universe of systems.

Performance Measure: Percent of Information Systems with a Tested Contingency Plan [JMD]

bar chart: % of Information Systems with a Tested Contingency Plan [JMD]d  

Data Definition: Mission Critical Systems are operational systems identified on the Department’s Minimum Essential Infrastructure (MEI) list supported by the President’s Decision Directive (PDD) 63; Critical Infrastructure Protection Program. Major Systems are operational systems identified on the Department’s budget Exhibit 53. All IT Systems are operational systems meeting either of the definitions above and included in the Department’s IT investment portfolio.

Data Collection and Storage: Data is collected and stored as part of the testing protocols.

Data Validation and Verification: Component technical and management staff reviews data before it is finalized.

Data Limitations: Potential comparability issues across years.

8.4C Expand Electronic Access and Dissemination of Department Information

The essence of the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) is to provide citizens, businesses, and governmental agencies the option of conducting business with the Federal Government through electronic means. OMB considers that the information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) are the most significant transactions that should offer an electronic option as required by GPEA. Implicit within GPEA is transforming business processes to make them faster, more efficient, and more citizen-centric—key objectives of the “Expanded Electronic Government” initiatives in the President’s Management Agenda. Aggressive implementation of “eGovernment” initiatives is a priority of the Department’s IT Strategic Plan. The Department submitted the FY 2003 – FY 2004 eGovernment Implementation Plan to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in October 2002.

Performance Measure: Percent of GPEA Information Collections Under the PRA Converted to Electronic Format [JMD]

bar chart: % of GPEA Information Collections Under the PRA Converted to Electronic Format [JMD]d  

Data Collection and Storage: Data are collected and stored centrally and consolidated annually for this report.

Data Validation and Verification: Data are reviewed at the component and Department level.

Data Limitations: As this tracking requirement is new, there may be initial data limitations, as well as potential comparability issues across components.

Strategic Objective & Annual Goal 8.5: Human Resources
Strengthen human resource recruitment, retention, and performance to ensure a workforce that is skilled, diverse, and committed to excellence

Full discussion of this topic has been moved to the PMA section on Strategic Management of Human Capital.

 

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