Mass Transit Grants: If Properly Implemented, FTA Initiatives Should Improve Oversight
RCED-93-8
Published: Nov 19, 1992. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) grant program, focusing on: (1) the effect of FTA oversight weaknesses; (2) FTA and legislative initiatives designed to correct oversight problems; and (3) the mix of FTA regional office and headquarters staff and FTA use of contractors to conduct oversight activities.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Transit Administration | To enhance the effectiveness of FTA oversight activities, FTA should implement prior GAO recommendations. In addition, the Administrator, FTA, should: (1) implement procedures to ensure that FTA contractors have adequate guidance for performing oversight tasks; and (2) develop consistent standards for staffing triennial reviews and other monitoring tasks to ensure that the new oversight strategy is implemented as FTA headquarters envisions. |
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 action, GAO has removed FTA's high risk designation.
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Topics
Civil auditsDiscretionary grantsFederal aid for transportationFederal grantsFunds managementGrant administrationGrant monitoringMass transit fundingReporting requirementsRisk management