Two decades later, NASA Inspector General resumes in-person training

The NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) will hold a five‑day, organization‑wide training and professional‑development event in Savannah, Ga., from June 8 to June 12. According to a Special Notice released by the agency this week, the gathering marks the first time OIG staff have convened in person for a structured, agency‑wide session since May 2005.

The OIG, which operates independently within the agency, is responsible for auditing, reviewing, and investigating NASA programs and operations to detect and prevent fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, and to advise management on ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Its workforce is distributed across all regions of the continental United States, and most of its training and communication have been conducted virtually in recent years.

“The last in‑person training was more than twenty years ago,” the notice read. “Since then, the OIG’s leadership, management and staff have changed substantially. This event will ensure alignment on expectations, mission priorities, and workforce development initiatives across the organization.”

Scope and Agenda

NASA estimates that about 155 OIG employees will attend the Savannah meeting. The agenda includes sessions on:

• ·         Communication skills and stakeholder engagement
• ·         Procurement and acquisition regulations
• ·         Ethics and conflict‑of‑interest standards
• ·         Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) compliance
• ·         The responsible use of artificial intelligence in audits and investigations
• ·         Core OIG functions related to audit methodology and investigative techniques

Each of the OIG’s cost centers will be allocated dedicated time to discuss recent mission changes, operational impacts, and emerging risks. Planners also intend to identify cross‑cutting efficiencies and coordination opportunities, a focus that reflects ongoing budget constraints across the federal government.

“The event will enable direct engagement with OIG leadership and provide a forum for real‑time discussion of the agency’s strategic direction and priorities,” the notice added.