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Telecommunications: Greater Involvement Needed by FCC in the Management and Oversight of the E-Rate Program

GAO-05-151 Published: Feb 09, 2005. Publicly Released: Mar 16, 2005.
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Highlights

Since 1998, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) E-rate program has committed more than $13 billion to help schools and libraries acquire Internet and telecommunications services. Recently, however, allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse by some E-rate program participants have come to light. As steward of the program, FCC must ensure that participants use E-rate funds appropriately and that there is managerial and financial accountability surrounding the funds. GAO reviewed (1) the effect of the current structure of the E-rate program on FCC's management of the program, (2) FCC's development and use of E-rate performance goals and measures, and (3) the effectiveness of FCC's oversight mechanisms in managing the program.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission Given the critical importance of telecommunications technologies to schools and libraries, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission should direct FCC staff to conduct and document a comprehensive assessment to determine whether all necessary government accountability requirements, policies, and practices have been applied and are fully in place to protect the program and the funding. The assessment should include, but not be limited to (1) the implications of FCC's determination that the Universal Service Fund constitutes an appropriation by identifying the fiscal controls that apply and do not apply to the Universal Service Fund, including the collection, deposit, obligation, and disbursement of funds; and (2) an evaluation of the legal authority for the organizational structure for carrying out the E-rate program, including the relationship between FCC and USAC and their respective authorities and roles in implementing the E-rate program. Because of the complexities posed by FCC's arrangements with USAC and the questions that flow from these arrangements, FCC may want to request an advance decision from the Comptroller General under 31 U.S.C. 3529. Section 3529 provides the heads of agencies and certifying and disbursing officers of the government an opportunity to request decisions from the Comptroller General on matters of appropriations law in order to ensure compliance with fiscal law.
Closed – Implemented
In 2008, FCC and USAC officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to delineate the operating relationship and responsibilities between FCC and USAC. The MOU better defines the respective roles of FCC and USAC, and addresses important accountability issues surrounding the program, such as procurement requirements, investment requirements, audit requirements, and internal controls. The MOU requires USAC's contracting actions to be consistent with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and USAC's internal control structure to be consistent with OMB Circular A-123. The MOU thus acts to better define the roles and responsibilities of FCC and USAC with regard to the E-rate program. See accomplishment report GAO-09-1879A.
Federal Communications Commission Given the critical importance of telecommunications technologies to schools and libraries, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission should direct FCC staff to establish performance goals and measures for the E-rate program that are consistent with the Government Performance and Results Act. FCC should use the resulting performance data to develop analyses of the actual impact of E-rate funding and to determine areas for improved program operations.
Closed – Implemented
Since 1998, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund discount mechanism for schools and libraries, known as the E-rate program, has been a significant federal source of technology funding for schools and libraries. However, allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse raised questions about the use and management of the program. While a private company administers the program, FCC retains responsibility for overseeing the program's operations and ensuring compliance with the commission's rules. In 2005, GAO found that FCC had not developed useful performance goals and measures to assess and manage the E-rate program. As the agency accountable for the E-rate program, FCC is responsible under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) for establishing the program's long-term strategic goals and annual goals, and measuring its performance in meeting the goals. GAO found that FCC's failure to measure the program's impact on public and private schools and libraries undercut program management and accountability. GAO found that there was a lack of data for accurately characterizing program results in terms of increased Internet access, and that basic questions about the E-rate program were difficult to address, such as the program's efficiency and cost-effectiveness in supporting the telecommunications needs of schools and libraries. Therefore, GAO recommended that FCC establish performance goals and measures for the E-rate program that were consistent with GPRA, and use the resulting performance data to measure program impact and determine areas for improved program operations. FCC adopted performance goals, measures, and targets consistent with GPRA for the E-rate program in the Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Modernizing the E-rate Program for Schools and Libraries. The three performance goals adopted were 1) ensuring affordable access to high-speed broadband sufficient to support digital learning in schools and robust connectivity for all libraries, 2) maximizing the cost-effectiveness of spending for E-rate supported purchases, and 3) making the E-rate application process and other E-rate processes fast, simple, and efficient. Since adopting the order, FCC has been working with the company that administers the E-rate program to achieve the programs goals and using performance data to measure program impact and improve operations. For example, FCC adopted program rules to provide more flexible options for purchasing Wi-Fi services; the program administrator introduced an online reporting tool that allows schools and libraries to access information that they can use to compare vendor offers so they can more efficiently use program funds; and the program administrator launched a new application management portal to facilitate the filing of applications and forms and incorporated user testing to improve the program's systems and processes. As a result of adopting goals and performance measures for the E-rate program, FCC should better be able to measure and report on the impact of the E-rate program on schools and libraries' Internet access, and determine if there are areas for improved program performance.
Federal Communications Commission Given the critical importance of telecommunications technologies to schools and libraries, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission should direct FCC staff to develop a strategy for reducing the E-rate program's appeals backlog, including ensuring that adequate staffing resources are devoted to Erate appeals resolution.
Closed – Implemented
In 2006, FCC took two steps to address the appeals backlog. First, it began responding to appeals by issuing "global" orders that respond to groups of 25 to 100 appeals, rather than responding to funding appeals individually or in small groups. The appeals grouped together address similar topics or have similar facts and circumstances, and the global orders clarify prior rules and regulations. Second, FCC adopted an approach to application review not to deny funding based on ministerial or clerical errors, as set forth in the Bishop Perry Order. This approach was intended to result in fewer funding denials, and, as a result, fewer appeals. By resolving multiple appeals with one action and reducing the number of funding denials, FCC has reduced the appeals backlog and has freed up the resources once used on appeals resolution. When we made this recommendation, in 2005, we reported that approximately 527 appeals were undecided, of which approximately 458 had been pending longer than 90 days, the time in which FCC rules say appeals should be resolved. In FY2007, FCC adopted orders granting more than 700 appeals of funding decisions.

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Topics

AccountingAid for educationAid for librariesAppropriated fundsFederal aid programsFeesFraudFunds managementInternal controlsInternetPerformance measuresProgram abusesProgram evaluationProgram managementTelecommunicationsE-rateUniversal service fund