Mass Transit Grants: Noncompliance and Misspent Funds by Two Grantees in UMTA's New York Region
RCED-92-38
Published: Jan 23, 1992. Publicly Released: Jan 23, 1992.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Urban Mass Transportation Administration's (UMTA) grants management, focusing on: (1) compliance with federal requirements by selected grant recipients in UMTA Region II; and (2) the effectiveness of UMTA oversight of Region II grantees.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Mass Transportation Administration | To provide more effective grants management oversight of Region II grantees, the Administrator, UMTA, should direct the Region II Manager to act promptly to correct grantee noncompliance with federal requirements and withhold funds where appropriate. |
Closed – Implemented
Over the last few years, FTA has implemented a number of GAO recommendations and other initiatives resulting in substantial improvements to its process to oversee its $4.6-billion grant management program. FTA has implemented a risk assessment program, enhanced the training and guidance provided to both staff and grantees, and made organizational changes and increased staff size to become more proactive in overseeing hundreds of federal grants. In addition, FTA has made a concerted effort to change the attitudes of its oversight staff and grantees toward safeguarding federal funds. More importantly, FTA has used its most powerful enforcement tool--withholding funds--to sanction grantees found to be mismanaging their grants. Based on these and other actions, GAO has removed FTA's high-risk designation.
|
| Urban Mass Transportation Administration | To provide more effective grants management oversight of Region II grantees, the Administrator, UMTA, should direct the Region II Manager to establish milestones for closing out inactive and completed grants in accordance with UMTA guidelines. |
Closed – Implemented
Over the last few years, FTA has implemented a number of GAO recommendations and other initiatives resulting in substantial improvements to its process to oversee its $4.6-billion grant management program. FTA has implemented a risk assessment program, enhanced the training and guidance provided to both staff and grantees, and made organizational changes and increased staff size to become more proactive in overseeing hundreds of federal grants. In addition, FTA has made a concerted effort to change the attitudes of its oversight staff and grantees toward safeguarding federal funds. More importantly, FTA has used its most powerful enforcement tool--withholding funds--to sanction grantees found to be mismanaging their grants. Based on these and other actions, GAO has removed FTA's high-risk designation.
|
| Urban Mass Transportation Administration | To provide more effective grants management oversight of Region II grantees, the Administrator, UMTA, should direct the Region II Manager to review New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) overhead cost allocation plans and rates as required by UMTA rules. |
Closed – Implemented
Over the last few years, FTA has implemented a number of GAO recommendations and other initiatives resulting in substantial improvements to its process to oversee its $4.6-billion grant management program. FTA has implemented a risk assessment program, enhanced the training and guidance provided to both staff and grantees, and made organizational changes and increased staff size to become more proactive in overseeing hundreds of federal grants. In addition, FTA has made a concerted effort to change the attitudes of its oversight staff and grantees toward safeguarding federal funds. More importantly, FTA has used its most powerful enforcement tool--withholding funds--to sanction grantees found to be mismanaging their grants. Based on these and other actions, GAO has removed FTA's high-risk designation.
|
| Urban Mass Transportation Administration | To provide more effective grants management oversight of Region II grantees, the Administrator, UMTA, should direct the Region II Manager to formalize coordination with state and local audit organizations responsible for Region II grantees so that the region can obtain and use their reports in its oversight activities. |
Closed – Implemented
Over the last few years, FTA has implemented a number of GAO recommendations and other initiatives resulting in substantial improvements to its process to oversee its $4.6-billion grant management program. FTA has implemented a risk assessment program, enhanced the training and guidance provided to both staff and grantees, and made organizational changes and increased staff size to become more proactive in overseeing hundreds of federal grants. In addition, FTA has made a concerted effort to change the attitudes of its oversight staff and grantees toward safeguarding federal funds. More importantly, FTA has used its most powerful enforcement tool--withholding funds--to sanction grantees found to be mismanaging their grants. Based on these and other actions, GAO has removed FTA's high-risk designation.
|
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Topics
Audit reportsFederal grantsstate relationsGrant administrationGrant monitoringGrants to local governmentsMass transitProgram abusesUrban transportationCompliance oversight