The Inspector General is delegated authority to:
(a) Redelegate and authorize successive redelegations of authority granted by the Secretary within the Office of Inspector General, except as limited by law or specific administrative reservation.
(b) Authorize and approve official travel, including foreign travel and transportation for themselves, their subordinates, and others performing services for, or in cooperation with, the Office of the Secretary.
(c) Exercise the authority of the Secretary to resolve informal allegations of discrimination arising in or relating to the Inspector General through Equal Employment Opportunity counseling or the Alternative Dispute Resolution process and to develop and implement affirmative action and diversity plans.
(d) Exercise the authority vested in the Secretary by 49 U.S.C. 326(a) to accept gifts of property (other than real property) or services (in carrying out aviation duties and powers), and the authority to accept travel reimbursements from non-federal sources under 31 U.S.C. 1353.
(e) The implied authority to solicit gifts associated with 49 U.S.C. 326(a), notwithstanding the reservation of authority to the Secretary in section 1.21.
(f) Carry out the emergency preparedness functions assigned to the Secretary by Executive Order 12656 (as amended; see E.O. 13286) and by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and General Services Administration (FEMA and GSA) as they pertain to the Office of Inspector General, including those relating to continuity of operations, emergency resource management, and training.
(g) Determine the existence and amount of indebtedness and the method of collecting repayments from employees and members within the Office of Inspector General and collect repayments accordingly, as provided by 5 U.S.C. 5514.
(h) Waive claims and make refunds in connection with claims of the United States for erroneous payment of pay and allowances or of travel, transportation, and relocation expenses and allowances in amounts aggregating not more than $1,500 without regard to any repayments, and deny requests for waiver of such claims regardless of the aggregate amount of the claim, as provided by 4 CFR parts 91, 92, and 93.
(i) Settle and pay claims by employees for personal property losses as provided by 31 U.S.C. 3721 (Claims of personnel of agencies and the District of Columbia government for personal property damage or loss).
(j) Review and approve for payment any voucher for $25 or less the authority for payment of which is questioned by a certifying or disbursing officer.
(k) Request the Attorney General, after the concurrence of the General Counsel, to approve the award, compromise, or settlement of any tort claim for an amount exceeding $100,000 (excluding interest) (28 U.S.C. 2672).
(l) Compromise, suspend collection action on, or terminate claims of the United States not exceeding $100,000 (excluding interest) that are referred to, or arise out of the activities of the Office of Inspector General.
(m) Compromise, suspend collection action on, or terminate tort claims against the United States not exceeding $100,000 (excluding interest) that are referred to, or arise out of the activities of the Office of Inspector General provided that when the Inspector General believes that a claim against the United States presents a novel question of law or of policy, he or she shall coordinate with the General Counsel to obtain the advice of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division; and provided further that whenever he or she settles any administrative claim against the United States for an amount in excess of $50,000, the Inspector General shall prepare a memorandum fully explaining the basis for the action taken and coordinate with the General Counsel before sending a copy of the memorandum to the Director, Federal Torts Claims Act Staff, Torts Branch of the Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice.
(n) Make written requests under subsection (b)(7) of the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(7), for records maintained by other agencies that are necessary to carry out an authorized law enforcement activity.
(o) Administer the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, and 49 CFR part 7 (Public Availability of Information) in connection with the records of the Office of the Inspector General.
(p) Administer the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and 49 CFR part 10 (Maintenance of and Access to Records Pertaining to Individuals) in connection with the records of the Office of the Inspector General. [77 FR 49965, Aug. 17, 2012, as amended at 79 FR 15706, Mar. 21, 2014]