Further Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Oversight of Broadband Stimulus Programs

Submitted: August 4, 2010 - 5:42pm
Originally published: August 4, 2010
Last updated: August 4, 2010 - 5:45pm

Source: Government Accountability Office

Author: Mark Goldstein

Location:

Government Accountability Office, 441 G St., NW, Washington, DC, 20548, United States

To extend broadband access and adoption, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) provided $7.2 billion to the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for grants or loans to a variety of program applicants. The agencies are awarding funds in two rounds and must obligate all funds by September 30, 2010.

This report addresses the results of the first broadband stimulus funding round, the extent to which NTIA's and RUS's application reviews substantiated application information, the challenges facing NTIA and RUS in awarding the remaining funds, and actions taken to oversee grant and loan recipients. GAO analyzed program documentation, reviewed a judgmentally-selected sample of applications from first round award recipients, and interviewed agency officials and industry stakeholders. The Secretaries of Agriculture and Commerce should incorporate into their risk-based monitoring plans, steps to address variability in funding levels for post-award oversight beyond September 30, 2010.

Both agencies took no position on GAO's recommendation and noted steps being taken to complete their respective programs.

(GAO-10-823)