Audit of the Federal Communications Commission’s FY 2023 Compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 Requirements

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Date Issued

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Submitting OIG

Federal Communications Commission OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Federal Communications Commission OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Federal Communications Commission

Components

Office of Inspector General (OIG)

Report Number

24-AUD-01-01

Report Description

The FCC was compliant in 11 of its 13 programs that were susceptible to significant improper payments. The Universal Service Fund (USF)-Lifeline (LL) program, and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) were non-compliant with one of the 10 PIIA criteria. The report presents five findings and five recommendations to address the audit findings. In the Management Response, the FCC concurred on four findings and non-concurred on one of the two noncompliance findings, related to the Lifeline Program.

Report Type

Audit

Location

Washington, DC
United States

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Additional Details

https://www.fcc.gov/inspector-general/reports

Open Recommendations

This report has 2 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
4	No	$0	$0
Direct USAC to perform a cost-benefit analysis to identify additional approaches forfurther reducing the IPR below the reporting threshold. Additional approaches couldinclude, but are not limited to, evaluating the appropriateness of the volume ofapplications assigned per reviewer, increasing the effectiveness of employee training,providing program requirement reminders and updates, adding additional layers ofreview, creating a documentation checklist to determine program eligibility, andproviding ongoing coaching to educate staff on the Lifeline Program requirements,including documentation requirements relating to eligibility. [New]
5	No	$0	$0
Develop and implement policies and procedures to identify, quantify, and report in theOMB Annual Data Call any downward revisions that are submitted by providers resultingfrom provider non-compliant conduct. [New]