FirstNet Authority Did Not Ensure the Nation’s First Responders’ Needs Were Continuing to Be Met Timely When Modifying Key Objectives of the NPSBN Contract

We announced two concurrent audits to determine whether First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) is ensuring that AT&T is achieving the desired results for device connection targets and Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) coverage for each state and territory. We separated these objectives into three components that include (1) the evolution of the desired results for device connection targets and network coverage as executed through contract modifications, (2) oversight of device connection targets, and (3) oversight of network coverage. This report focuses on the first component: FirstNet Authority’s modifications to the contract, to include the rationale behind those changes and whether FirstNet Authority had an effective process for documenting decisions it made concerning those modifications. We found that FirstNet Authority did not consistently adhere to federal and Departmental regulations or demonstrate it received adequate value in return when it changed NPSBN contract requirements.