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 second component: FirstNet Authority’s oversight of device connection targets. We found that FirstNet Authority did not adequately assess contractor performance to ensure AT&T achieved the desired results for device connection targets for each state and territory. Specifically, FirstNet Authority did not develop measurable performance standards and methods of surveillance to assess if reported device connections complied with the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and contract requirements; develop an adequate performance metric to accurately measure public safety use and adoption; review AT&T’s quality control program results or consistently conduct audits of raw data; or remediate deficiencies for device connections.
Open Recommendations
| Recommendation Number | Significant Recommendation | Recommended Questioned Costs | Recommended Funds for Better Use | Additional Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| 1. We recommend that the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator direct FirstNet Authority's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Procurement Officer to modify the current quality assurance surveilance plan (QASP) to ensure: a. surveillance methods are sufficiently defined and detailed to verify that AT&T's performance meets contract requirements and the Act's requirements for all work requiring surveillance, including all the criteria of a device connection; and b. device connection target KPIs are sufficiently designed to accurately measure performance. | |||||
| 2 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| 2. We recommend that the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator direct FirstNet Authority's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Procurement Officer to direct the contracting officer's representative to document and maintain all surveillance activities, to include surveillance activities conducted by subject-matter experts, in the official contract file. | |||||
| 3 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| 3. We recommend that the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator direct FirstNet Authority's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Procurement Officer to direct the contracting officer's representative to follow the QASP to conduct sufficient surveillance of device connection targets, to include performing random audits, reviewing AT&T's QCP results, and holding AT&T accountable via remediation actions for deficiencies in reporting and performance. | |||||
