This is the accessible text file for GAO report number GAO-05-439T entitled 'Telecommunications: Concerns Regarding the Structure and FCC's Management of the E-Rate Program' which was released on March 16, 2005. This text file was formatted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to be accessible to users with visual impairments, as part of a longer term project to improve GAO products' accessibility. Every attempt has been made to maintain the structural and data integrity of the original printed product. Accessibility features, such as text descriptions of tables, consecutively numbered footnotes placed at the end of the file, and the text of agency comment letters, are provided but may not exactly duplicate the presentation or format of the printed version. The portable document format (PDF) file is an exact electronic replica of the printed version. We welcome your feedback. Please E-mail your comments regarding the contents or accessibility features of this document to Webmaster@gao.gov. This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further permission from GAO. Because this work may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this material separately. Testimony: Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives: United States Government Accountability Office: GAO: For Release on Delivery Expected at 2:00 p.m. EST: Wednesday, March 16, 2005: Telecommunications: Concerns Regarding the Structure and FCC's Management of the E-Rate Program: Statement of Mark L. Goldstein, Director: Physical Infrastructure Issues: GAO-05-439T: GAO Highlights: Highlights of GAO-05-439T, a testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives: Why GAO Did This Study: Since 1998, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) E-rate program has committed more than $13 billion to help schools and libraries acquire Internet and telecommunications services. Recently, allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse by some E-rate program participants have come to light. As steward of the program, FCC must ensure that participants use E-rate funds appropriately and that there is managerial and financial accountability surrounding the funds. This testimony is based on GAO’s February 2005 report GAO-05-151, which reviewed (1) the effect of the current structure of the E-rate program on FCC’s management of the program, (2) FCC’s development and use of E- rate performance goals and measures, and (3) the effectiveness of FCC’s program oversight mechanisms. What GAO Found: FCC established the E-rate program using an organizational structure unusual to the government without conducting a comprehensive assessment to determine which federal requirements, policies, and practices apply to it. The E-rate program is administered by a private, not-for-profit corporation with no contract or memorandum of understanding with FCC, and program funds are maintained outside of the U.S. Treasury, raising issues related to the collection, deposit, obligation, and disbursement of the funding. While FCC recently concluded that the Universal Service Fund constitutes an appropriation and is subject to the Antideficiency Act, this raises further issues concerning the applicability of other fiscal control and accountability statutes. These issues need to be explored and resolved comprehensively to ensure that appropriate governmental accountability standards are fully in place to help protect the program and the fund from fraud, waste, and abuse. FCC has not developed useful performance goals and measures for assessing and managing the E-rate program. The goals established for fiscal years 2000 through 2002 focused on the percentage of public schools connected to the Internet, but the data used to measure performance did not isolate the impact of E-rate funding from other sources of funding, such as state and local government. A key unanswered question, therefore, is the extent to which increases in connectivity can be attributed to E-rate. In addition, goals for improving E-rate program management have not been a feature of FCC’s performance plans. In its 2003 assessment of the program, OMB noted that FCC discontinued E-rate performance measures after fiscal year 2002 and concluded that there was no way to tell whether the program has resulted in the cost-effective deployment and use of advanced telecommunications services for schools and libraries. In response to OMB’s concerns, FCC is currently working on developing new E-rate goals. FCC’s oversight mechanisms contain weaknesses that limit FCC’s management of the program and its ability to understand the scope of any fraud, waste, and abuse within the program. According to FCC officials, oversight of the program is primarily handled through agency rulemaking procedures, beneficiary audits, and appeals decisions. FCC’s rulemakings have often lacked specificity and led to a distinction between FCC’s rules and the procedures put in place by the program administrator—a distinction that has affected the recovery of funds for program violations. While audits of E-rate beneficiaries have been conducted, FCC has been slow to respond to audit findings and make full use of them to strengthen the program. In addition, the small number of audits completed to date do not provide a basis for accurately assessing the level of fraud, waste, and abuse occurring in the program, although the program administrator is working to address this issue. According to FCC officials, there is also a substantial backlog of E-rate appeals due in part to a shortage of staff and staff turnover. Because appeal decisions establish precedent, this slowness adds uncertainty to the program. What GAO Recommends: In its report, GAO recommends that FCC (1) comprehensively determine which federal accountability requirements apply to E-rate; (2) establish meaningful E-rate performance goals and measures; and (3) take steps to reduce its backlog of appeals. In response, FCC stated that it does not concur with (1) because it maintains it has done this on a case-by-case basis. GAO continues to believe that major issues remain unresolved. FCC concurs with (2) and (3), noting that it is already taking steps on these issues. www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-439T. To view the full product, including the scope and methodology, click on the link above. For more information, contact Mark L. Goldstein at (202) 512-2834 or goldsteinm@gao.gov. [End of section] Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee: We are pleased to be here to discuss the results of our recently completed review of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) universal service program for schools and libraries. As you know, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 expanded the concept of universal service to include assistance to schools and libraries in acquiring telecommunications and Internet services; the act charged FCC with establishing the universal service discount mechanism for eligible schools and libraries. The commission, in turn, created a large and ambitious program that became commonly known as the "E-rate" program, and set the annual funding cap for the program at $2.25 billion. FCC designated the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a private, not-for-profit corporation established under FCC's rules, to carry out the day-to-day operations of the E-rate program. FCC retains responsibility for overseeing the program's operations and ensuring compliance with the commission's rules. Since 1998, the E-rate program has committed more than $13 billion in funding to help schools and libraries across the nation acquire telecommunications and Internet services. Eligible schools and libraries can apply annually to receive support, which can be used for specific eligible services and equipment such as telephone services, Internet access services, and the installation of internal wiring and other related items. Recently, however, allegations have been made that some E-rate beneficiaries (schools and libraries) and service providers (e.g., telecommunications and network equipment companies) have fraudulently obtained, wasted, or abused E-rate funding. In May 2004, for example, one service provider involved in E-rate projects in several states pleaded guilty to bid rigging and wire fraud and agreed to pay more than $20 million in criminal fines, civil payments, and restitution. In light of ongoing concerns about the E-rate program, we were asked to review various aspects of the program. Specifically, we evaluated (1) the effect of the current structure of the E-rate program on FCC's management of the program, (2) FCC's development and use of performance goals and measures in managing the program, and (3) the effectiveness of FCC's oversight mechanisms--rulemaking proceedings, beneficiary audits, and reviews of USAC decisions (appeals)--in managing the program. Our testimony is based on a report, being released today, containing the results of our review and recommendations for improving FCC's management and oversight of the E-rate program.[Footnote 1] In summary, we found the following: * FCC established E-rate as a multibillion-dollar program operating under an organizational structure unusual to the federal government, but never conducted a comprehensive assessment to determine which federal requirements, policies, and practices apply to the program, to USAC, and to the Universal Service Fund itself. As a result, FCC has struggled with determining which fiscal and accountability requirements apply to the E-rate program. We believe that issues exist concerning the applicability of certain statutes and the extent to which FCC has delegated certain functions for the E-rate program to USAC--issues that FCC needs to explore and resolve. * FCC has not developed meaningful performance goals and measures for assessing and managing the program. As a result, there is no way to tell whether the program has resulted in the cost-effective deployment and use of advanced telecommunications services for schools and libraries. * FCC's program oversight mechanisms contain weaknesses that limit FCC's management of the program and its ability to understand the scope of waste, fraud, and abuse within the program. For example, FCC's rulemakings have often lacked specificity and have led to situations where important USAC administrative procedures have been deemed unenforceable by FCC. There is also a significant backlog of E-rate appeals that adds uncertainty to the program and impacts beneficiaries. FCC has taken some important steps, particularly in recent months, to address some of the areas of concern discussed in our report. Nevertheless, we believe that FCC has not done enough to proactively manage and provide a framework of government accountability for the multibillion-dollar E-rate program. Background: The concept of "universal service" has traditionally meant providing residential telephone subscribers with nationwide access to basic telephone services at reasonable rates. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 broadened the scope of universal service to include, among other things, support for schools and libraries. The act instructed the commission to establish a universal service support mechanism to ensure that eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to and use of certain telecommunications services for educational purposes.[Footnote 2] In addition, Congress authorized FCC to "establish competitively neutral rules to enhance, to the extent technically feasible and economically reasonable, access to advanced telecommunications and information services for all public and nonprofit elementary and secondary school classrooms . . . and libraries. . . ."[Footnote 3] Based on this direction, and following the recommendations of a Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service,[Footnote 4] FCC established the schools and libraries universal service mechanism that is commonly referred to as the E-rate program. The program is funded through statutorily mandated payments by companies that provide interstate telecommunications services.[Footnote 5] Many of these companies, in turn, pass their contribution costs on to their subscribers through a line item on subscribers' phone bills.[Footnote 6] FCC capped funding for the E-rate program at $2.25 billion per year, although funding requests by schools and libraries can greatly exceed the cap. For example, schools and libraries requested more than $4.2 billion in E-rate funding for the 2004 funding year. In 1998, FCC appointed USAC as the program's permanent administrator, although FCC retains responsibility for overseeing the program's operations and ensuring compliance with the commission's rules.[Footnote 7] In response to congressional conference committee direction,[Footnote 8] FCC has specified that USAC "may not make policy, interpret unclear provisions of the statute or rules, or interpret the intent of Congress."[Footnote 9] USAC is responsible for carrying out the program's day-to-day operations, such as maintaining a Web site that contains program information and application procedures; answering inquiries from schools and libraries; processing and reviewing applications; making funding commitment decisions and issuing funding commitment letters; and collecting, managing, investing, and disbursing E-rate funds. FCC permits--and in fact relies on--USAC to establish administrative procedures that program participants are required to follow as they work through the application and funding process. Under the E-rate program, eligible schools, libraries, and consortia that include eligible schools and libraries[Footnote 10] may receive discounts for eligible services. Eligible schools and libraries may apply annually to receive E-rate support. The program places schools and libraries into various discount categories, based on indicators of need, so that the school or library pays a percentage of the cost for the service and the E-rate program funds the remainder. E-rate discounts range from 20 percent to 90 percent. USAC reviews all of the applications and related forms and issues funding commitment decision letters. Generally, it is the service provider that seeks reimbursement from USAC for the discounted portion of the service rather than the school or library.[Footnote 11] FCC Established an Unusual Program Structure without Comprehensively Addressing the Applicability of Governmental Standards and Fiscal Controls: FCC established an unusual structure for the E-rate program but has never conducted a comprehensive assessment of which federal requirements, policies, and practices apply to the program, to USAC, or to the Universal Service Fund itself. FCC recently began to address a few of these issues, concluding that as a permanent indefinite appropriation, the Universal Service Fund is subject to the Antideficiency Act and that USAC's issuance of commitment letters constitutes obligations for purposes of the act. However, FCC's conclusions concerning the status of the Universal Service Fund raise further issues relating to the collection, deposit, obligation, and disbursement of those funds--issues that FCC needs to explore and resolve comprehensively rather than in an ad hoc fashion as problems arise. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 neither specified how FCC was to administer universal service to schools and libraries nor prescribed the structure and legal parameters of the universal service mechanisms to be created. To carry out the day-to-day activities of the E-rate program, FCC relied on a structure it had used for other universal service programs in the past--a not-for-profit corporation established at FCC's direction that would operate under FCC oversight. However, the structure of the E-rate program is unusual in several respects compared with other federal programs: * FCC appointed USAC as the permanent administrator of the Universal Service Fund,[Footnote 12] and FCC's Chairman has final approval over USAC's Board of Directors. USAC is responsible for administering the program under FCC orders, rules, and directives. However, USAC is not part of FCC or any other government entity; it is not a government corporation established by Congress; and no contract or memorandum of understanding exists between FCC and USAC for the administration of the E-rate program. Thus, USAC operates and disburses funds under less explicit federal ties than many other federal programs. * Questions as to whether the monies in the Universal Service Fund should be treated as federal funds have troubled the program from the start. Even though the fund has been listed in the budget of the United States and, since fiscal year 2004, has been subject to an annual apportionment from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the monies are maintained outside of Treasury accounts by USAC and some of the monies have been invested.[Footnote 13] The United States Treasury implements the statutory controls and restrictions involving the proper collection and deposit of appropriated funds, including the financial accounting and reporting of all receipts and disbursements, the security of appropriated funds, and agencies' responsibilities for those funds.[Footnote 14] Since the inception of the E-rate program, FCC has struggled with identifying the nature of the Universal Service Fund and the managerial, fiscal, and accountability requirements that apply to the fund. In the past, FCC's Inspector General (IG) has noted that the commission could not ensure that Universal Service Fund activities were in compliance with all laws and regulations because the issue of which laws and regulations were applicable to the fund was unresolved. During our review, FCC officials told us that the commission has substantially resolved the IG's concerns through recent orders, including FCC's 2003 order that USAC begin preparing Universal Service Fund financial statements consistent with generally accepted accounting principles for federal agencies (GovGAAP) and keep the fund in accordance with the United States Government Standard General Ledger.[Footnote 15] While it is true that these steps and other FCC determinations should provide greater protections for universal service funding, FCC has addressed only a few of the issues that need to be resolved. In fact, staff from the FCC's IG's office told us that they do not believe the commission's GovGAAP order adequately addressed their concerns because the order did not comprehensively detail which fiscal requirements apply to the Universal Service Fund and which do not. FCC maintains that it has undertaken a timely and extensive analysis of the significant legal issues associated with the status of the Universal Service Fund and has generally done so on a case-by-case basis. We recognize that FCC has engaged in internal deliberations and external consultations and analysis of a number of statutes. However, we do not believe that this was done in a timely manner or that it is appropriate to do this on a case-by-case basis, which puts FCC and the program in the position of reacting to problems as they occur rather than setting up an organization and internal controls designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws. As you know, Mr. Chairman, a problem with this ad hoc approach was dramatically illustrated with regard to the applicability of the Antideficiency Act to the Universal Service Fund. In October 2003, FCC ordered USAC to prepare financial statements for the Universal Service Fund, as a component of FCC, consistent with GovGAAP, which FCC and USAC had not previously applied to the fund. In February 2004, staff from USAC realized during contractor-provided training on GovGAAP procedures that the commitment letters sent to beneficiaries (notifying them whether their funding is approved and in what amount) might be viewed as "obligations" of appropriated funds.[Footnote 16] If so viewed, and if FCC also found the Antideficiency Act--which does not allow an agency or program to make obligations in excess of available budgetary resources--to be applicable to the E-rate program, then USAC would need to dramatically increase the program's cash-on-hand and lessen the program's investments[Footnote 17] to provide budgetary authority sufficient to satisfy the Antideficiency Act. As a result, USAC suspended funding commitments in August 2004 while waiting for a commission decision on how to proceed. At the end of September 2004-- facing the end of the fiscal year--FCC decided that commitment letters were obligations; that the Antideficiency Act did apply to the program; and that USAC would need to immediately liquidate some of its investments to come into compliance with the Antideficiency Act. According to USAC officials, the liquidations cost the fund approximately $4.6 million in immediate losses and could potentially result in millions in foregone annual interest income. In response to these events, in December 2004, Congress passed a bill granting the Universal Service Fund a one-year exemption from the Antideficiency Act.[Footnote 18] As we explain more fully in our report, Mr. Chairman, we agree with FCC's determinations that the Universal Service Fund is a permanent appropriation subject to the Antideficiency Act and that its funding commitment decision letters constitute recordable obligations of the Universal Service Fund. However, there are several significant fiscal law issues that remain unresolved. We believe that where FCC has determined that fiscal controls and policies do not apply, the commission should reconsider these determinations in light of the status of universal service monies as federal funds. For example, in view of its determination that the fund constitutes an appropriation, FCC needs to reconsider the applicability of the Miscellaneous Receipts Statute, 31 U.S.C. § 3302, which requires that money received for the use of the United States be deposited in the Treasury unless otherwise authorized by law.[Footnote 19] FCC also needs to assess the applicability of other fiscal control and accountability statutes (e.g., the Single Audit Act and the Cash Management Improvement Act).[Footnote 20] Another major issue that remains to be resolved involves the extent to which FCC has delegated some functions for the E-rate program to USAC. For example, are the disbursement policies and practices for the E-rate program consistent with statutory and regulatory requirements for the disbursement of public funds?[Footnote 21] Are some of the functions carried out by USAC, even though they have been characterized as administrative or ministerial, arguably inherently governmental activities[Footnote 22] that must be performed by government personnel? Resolving these issues in a comprehensive fashion, rather than continuing to rely on reactive, case-by-case determinations, is key to ensuring that FCC establishes the proper foundation of government accountability standards and safeguards for the E-rate program and the Universal Service Fund. We are encouraged that FCC just announced that it has contracted with the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) for NAPA to study and explore alternative models to the current organizational and governance structure of the Universal Service Fund program. We believe this study will go a long way toward addressing the concerns outlined in our report and we look forward to seeing the results of NAPA's efforts. FCC Did Not Develop Useful Performance Goals and Measures for Assessing and Managing the E-Rate Program: Although $13 billion in E-rate funding has been committed to beneficiaries during the past 7 years, FCC did not develop useful performance goals and measures to assess the specific impact of these funds on schools' and libraries' Internet access and to improve the management of the program, despite a recommendation by us in 1998 to do so. At the time of our current review, FCC staff was considering, but had not yet finalized, new E-rate goals and measures in response to OMB's concerns about this deficiency in a 2003 OMB assessment of the program. One of the management tasks facing FCC is to establish strategic goals for the E-rate program, as well as annual goals linked to them. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 did not include specific goals for supporting schools and libraries, but instead used general language directing FCC to establish competitively neutral rules for enhancing access to advanced telecommunications and information services for all public and nonprofit private elementary and secondary school classrooms and libraries.[Footnote 23] As the agency accountable for the E-rate program, FCC is responsible under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Results Act) for establishing the program's long- term strategic goals and annual goals, measuring its own performance in meeting these goals, and reporting publicly on how well it is doing.[Footnote 24] For fiscal years 2000 through 2002, FCC's goals focused on achieving certain percentage levels of Internet connectivity during a given fiscal year for schools, public school instructional classrooms, and libraries. However, the data that FCC used to report on its progress was limited to public schools (thereby excluding two other major groups of beneficiaries--private schools and libraries) and did not isolate the impact of E-rate funding from other sources of funding, such as state and local government. This is a significant measurement problem because, over the years, the demand for internal connections funding by applicants has exceeded the E-rate funds available for this purpose by billions of dollars. Unsuccessful applicants had to rely on other sources of support to meet their internal connection needs. Even with these E-rate funding limitations, there has been significant growth in Internet access for public schools since the program issued its first funding commitments in late 1998. At the time, according to data from the Department of Education's National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), 89 percent of all public schools and 51 percent of public school instructional classrooms already had Internet access. By 2002, 99 percent of public schools and 92 percent of public school instructional classrooms had Internet access.[Footnote 25] Yet although billions of dollars in E-rate funds have been committed since 1998, adequate program data was not developed to answer a fundamental performance question: How much of the increase since 1998 in public schools' Internet access has been a result of the E-rate program, as opposed to other sources of federal, state, local, and private funding? Performance goals and measures are used not only to assess a program's impact but also to develop strategies for resolving mission-critical management problems. However, management-oriented goals have not been a feature of FCC's performance plans, despite long-standing concerns about the program's effectiveness in key areas. For example, two such goals--related to assessing how well the program's competitive bidding process was working and increasing program participation by low-income and rural school districts and rural libraries--were planned but not carried forward. FCC did not include any E-rate goals for fiscal years 2003 and 2004 in its recent annual performance reports. The failure to measure effectively the program's impact on public and private schools and libraries over the past 7 years undercuts one of the fundamental purposes of the Results Act: to have federal agencies adopt a fact- based, businesslike framework for program management and accountability. The problem is not just a lack of data for accurately characterizing program results in terms of increasing Internet access. Other basic questions about the E-rate program also become more difficult to address, such as the program's efficiency and cost- effectiveness in supporting the telecommunications needs of schools and libraries. For example, a review of the program by OMB in 2003 concluded that there was no way to tell whether the program has resulted in the cost-effective deployment and use of advanced telecommunications services for schools and libraries.[Footnote 26] OMB also noted that there was little oversight to ensure that the program beneficiaries were using the funding appropriately and effectively. In response to these concerns, FCC staff have been working on developing new performance goals and measures for the E-rate program and plan to finalize them and seek OMB approval in fiscal year 2005. FCC's Oversight Mechanisms Are Not Fully Effective in Managing the E- Rate Program: FCC testified before Congress in June 2004 that it relies on three chief components in overseeing the E-rate program: rulemaking proceedings, beneficiary audits, and fact-specific adjudicatory decisions (i.e., appeals decisions). We found weaknesses with FCC's implementation of each of these mechanisms, limiting the effectiveness of FCC's oversight of the program and the enforcement of program procedures to guard against waste, fraud, and abuse of E-rate funding. FCC's Rulemakings Have Led to Problems with USAC's Procedures and Enforcement of Those Procedures: As part of its oversight of the E-rate program, FCC is responsible for establishing new rules and policies for the program or making changes to existing rules, as well as providing the detailed guidance that USAC requires to effectively administer the program. FCC carries out this responsibility through its rulemaking process. FCC's E-rate rulemakings, however, have often been broadly worded and lacking specificity. Thus, USAC has needed to craft the more detailed administrative procedures necessary to implement the rules. However, in crafting administrative procedures, USAC is strictly prohibited under FCC rules from making policy, interpreting unclear provisions of the statute or rules, or interpreting the intent of Congress. We were told by FCC and USAC officials that USAC does not put procedures in place without some level of FCC approval. We were also told that this approval is sometimes informal, such as e-mail exchanges or telephone conversations between FCC and USAC staff. This approval can come in more formal ways as well, such as when the commission expressly endorses USAC operating procedures in commission orders or codifies USAC procedures into FCC's rules. However, two problems have arisen with USAC administrative procedures. First, although USAC is prohibited under FCC rules from making policy, some USAC procedures deal with more than just ministerial details and arguably rise to the level of policy decisions. For example, in June 2004, USAC was able to identify at least a dozen administrative procedures that, if violated by the applicant, would lead to complete or partial denial of the funding request even though there was no precisely corresponding FCC rule. The critical nature of USAC's administrative procedures is further illustrated by FCC's repeated codification of them throughout the history of the program. FCC's codification of USAC procedures--after those procedures have been put in place and applied to program participants--raises concerns about whether these procedures are more than ministerial and are, in fact, policy changes that should be coming from FCC in the first place. Moreover, in its August 2004 order (in a section dealing with the resolution of audit findings), the commission directs USAC to annually "identify any USAC administrative procedures that should be codified in our rules to facilitate program oversight." This process begs the question of which entity is really establishing the rules of the E-rate program and raises concerns about the depth of involvement by FCC staff with the management of the program. Second, even though USAC procedures are issued with some degree of FCC approval, enforcement problems could arise when audits uncover violations of USAC procedures by beneficiaries or service providers. The FCC IG has expressed concern over situations where USAC administrative procedures have not been formally codified because commission staff have stated that, in such situations, there is generally no legal basis to recover funds from applicants that failed to comply with the USAC procedures. In its August 2004 order, the commission attempted to clarify the rules of the program with relation to recovery of funds. However, even under the August 2004 order, the commission did not clearly address the treatment of beneficiaries who violate a USAC administrative procedure that has not been codified. FCC Has Been Slow to Address Problems Raised by Audit Findings: FCC's use of beneficiary audits as an oversight mechanism has also had weaknesses, although FCC and USAC are now working to address some of these weaknesses. Since 2000, there have been 122 beneficiary audits conducted by outside firms, 57 by USAC staff, and 14 by the FCC IG (2 of which were performed under agreement with the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior). Beneficiary audits are the most robust mechanism available to the commission in the oversight of the E-rate program, yet FCC generally has been slow to respond to audit findings and has not made full use of the audit findings as a means to understand and resolve problems within the program. First, audit findings can indicate that a beneficiary or service provider has violated existing E-rate program rules. In these cases, USAC or FCC can seek recovery of E-rate funds, if justified.[Footnote 27] In the FCC IG's May 2004 Semiannual Report, however, the IG observes that audit findings are not being addressed in a timely manner and that, as a result, timely action is not being taken to recover inappropriately disbursed funds.[Footnote 28] The IG notes that in some cases the delay is caused by USAC and, in other cases, the delay is caused because USAC is not receiving timely guidance from the commission (USAC must seek guidance from the commission when an audit finding is not a clear violation of an FCC rule or when policy questions are raised). Regardless, the recovery of inappropriately disbursed funds is important to the integrity of the program and needs to occur in a timely fashion. Second, under GAO's Standards for Internal Controls in the Federal Government,[Footnote 29] agencies are responsible for promptly reviewing and evaluating findings from audits, including taking action to correct a deficiency or taking advantage of the opportunity for improvement. Thus, if an audit shows a problem but no actual rule violation, FCC should be examining why the problem arose and determining if a rule change is needed to address the problem (or perhaps simply addressing the problem through a clarification to applicant instructions or forms). FCC has been slow, however, to use audit findings to make programmatic changes. For example, several important audit findings from the 1998 program year were only recently resolved by an FCC rulemaking in August 2004. In its August 2004 order, the commission concluded that a standardized, uniform process for resolving audit findings was necessary, and directed USAC to submit to FCC a proposal for resolving audit findings. FCC also instructed USAC to specify deadlines in its proposal "to ensure audit findings are resolved in a timely manner."[Footnote 30] USAC submitted its Proposed Audit Resolution Plan to FCC on October 28, 2004. The plan memorializes much of the current audit process and provides deadlines for the various stages of the audit process. FCC released the proposed audit plan for public comment in December 2004.[Footnote 31] In addition to the Proposed Audit Resolution Plan, the commission instructed USAC to submit a report to FCC on a semiannual basis summarizing the status of all outstanding audit findings. The commission also stated that it expects USAC to identify for commission consideration on at least an annual basis all audit findings raising management concerns that are not addressed by existing FCC rules. Lastly, the commission took the unusual step of providing a limited delegation to the Wireline Competition Bureau (the bureau within FCC with the greatest share of the responsibility for managing the E-rate program) to address audit findings and to act on requests for waiver of rules warranting recovery of funds.[Footnote 32] These actions could help ensure, on a prospective basis, that audit findings are more thoroughly and quickly addressed. However, much still depends on timely action being taken by FCC, particularly if audit findings suggest the need for a rulemaking. In addition to problems with responding to audit findings, the audits conducted to date have been of limited use because neither FCC nor USAC have conducted an audit effort using a statistical approach that would allow them to project the audit results to all E-rate beneficiaries. Thus, at present, no one involved with the E-rate program has a basis for making a definitive statement about the amount of waste, fraud, and abuse in the program.[Footnote 33] Of the various groups of beneficiary audits conducted to date, all were of insufficient size and design to analyze the amount of fraud or waste in the program or the number of times that any particular problem might be occurring programwide. At the time we concluded our review, FCC and USAC were in the process of soliciting and reviewing responses to a Request for Proposal for audit services to conduct additional beneficiary audits. FCC Has Been Slow to Act on Some E-Rate Appeals: Under FCC's rules, program participants can seek review of USAC's decisions,[Footnote 34] although FCC's appeals process for the E-rate program has been slow in some cases. Because appeals decisions are used as precedent, this slowness adds uncertainty to the program and impacts beneficiaries. FCC rules state that FCC is to decide appeals within 90 days, although FCC can extend this period. At the time of our review there was a substantial appeals backlog at FCC (i.e., appeals pending for longer than 90 days). Out of 1,865 appeals to FCC from 1998 through the end of 2004, approximately 527 appeals remain undecided, of which 458 (25 percent) are backlog appeals.[Footnote 35] We were told by FCC officials that some of the backlog is due to staffing issues. FCC officials said they do not have enough staff to handle appeals in a timely manner. FCC officials also noted that there has been frequent staff turnover within the E-rate program, which adds some delay to appeals decisions because new staff necessarily take time to learn about the program and the issues. Additionally, we were told that another factor contributing to the backlog is that the appeals have become more complicated as the program has matured. Lastly, some appeals may be tied up if the issue is currently in the rulemaking process. The appeals backlog is of particular concern given that the E-rate program is a technology program. An applicant who appeals a funding denial and works through the process to achieve a reversal and funding two years later might have ultimately won funding for outdated technology. FCC officials told us that they are working to resolve all backlogged E-rate appeals by the end of calendar year 2005. In summary, Mr. Chairman, we remain concerned that FCC has not done enough to proactively manage and provide a framework of government accountability for the multibillion-dollar E-rate program. Lack of clarity about what accountability standards apply to the program causes confusion among program participants and can lead to situations where funding commitments are interrupted pending decisions about applicable law, such as happened with the Antideficiency Act in the fall of 2004. Ineffective performance goals and measures make it difficult to assess the program's effectiveness and chart its future course. Weaknesses in oversight and enforcement can lead to misuse of E-rate funding by program participants that, in turn, deprives other schools and libraries whose requests for support were denied due to funding limitations. To address these management and oversight problems identified in our review of the E-rate program, our report recommends that the Chairman of FCC direct commission staff to (1) conduct and document a comprehensive assessment to determine whether all necessary government accountability requirements, policies, and practices have been applied and are fully in place to protect the E-rate program and universal service funding; (2) establish meaningful performance goals and measures for the E-rate program; and (3) develop a strategy for reducing the E-rate program's appeals backlog, including ensuring that adequate staffing resources are devoted to E-rate appeals. Scope and Methodology: We conducted our work from December 2003 through December 2004 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. We interviewed officials from FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau, Enforcement Bureau, Office of General Counsel, Office of Managing Director, Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, and Office of Inspector General. We also interviewed officials from USAC. In addition, we interviewed officials from OMB and the Department of Education regarding performance goals and measures. OMB had conducted its own assessment of the E-rate program in 2003, which we also discussed with OMB officials. We reviewed and analyzed FCC, USAC, and OMB documents related to the management and oversight of the E-rate program. The information we gathered was sufficiently reliable for the purposes of our review. See our full report for a more detailed explanation of our scope and methodology. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared statement. I would be pleased to respond to any questions that you or other Members of the Subcommittee may have. GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments: For further information about this testimony, please contact me at (202) 512-2834. Edda Emmanuelli-Perez, John Finedore, Faye Morrison, and Mindi Weisenbloom also made key contributions to this statement. FOOTNOTES [1] Telecommunications: Greater Involvement Needed by FCC in the Management and Oversight of the E-Rate Program, GAO-05-151 (Washington, D.C.: Feb. 9, 2005). The report is available on GAO's Web site at www.gao.gov. [2] 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)(1)(B). [3] 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)(2). [4] The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service was established in March 1996 to make recommendations to implement the universal service provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The board is composed of FCC commissioners, state utility commissioners, and a consumer advocate representative. [5] These companies include providers of local and long distance telephone services, wireless telephone services, paging services, and pay phone services. 47 C.F.R. § 54.706. [6] The line item is called various things by various companies, such as the "federal universal service fee" or the "universal connectivity fee." Some companies do not separate out universal service costs as a line item, but instead just build it into their overall costs. Either way, consumers ultimately pay for the various universal service programs, including E-rate. [7] USAC was established at the direction of FCC and operates under FCC's rules and policies. [8] See S.1768, 105th Cong., § 2004(b)(2)(A) (1998). [9] 47 C.F.R. § 54.702(c). [10] Eligibility of schools and libraries is defined at 47 U.S.C. § 254. Generally, educational institutions that meet the definition of "schools" in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 are eligible to participate, as are libraries that are eligible to receive assistance from a state's library administrative agency under the Library Services and Technology Act. Examples of entities not eligible for support are home school programs, private vocational programs, and institutions of higher education. In addition, neither private schools with endowments of more than $50 million nor libraries whose budgets are part of a school's budget are eligible to participate. 20 U.S.C. § 9122. [11] The school or library could also pay the service provider in full and then seek reimbursement from USAC for the discount portion. [12] USAC was appointed the permanent administrator subject to a review after one year by FCC to determine that the universal service programs were being administered in an efficient, effective, and competitively neutral manner. 47 C.F.R. § 54.701(a). This review was never conducted. [13] The Universal Service Fund is included in the federal budget as a special fund. OMB concluded that the fund does not constitute public money subject to the Miscellaneous Receipts Statute, 31 U.S.C. § 3302, and therefore can be maintained outside the Treasury by a nongovernmental manager. Letter from Mr. Robert G. Damus, OMB General Counsel to Mr. Christopher Wright, FCC General Counsel, dated April 28, 2000. [14] See 31 U.S.C. §§ 331, 3301-3305 and the Treasury Financial Manual, vol. I, which instructs federal agencies in areas of central accounting and reporting, disbursing, deposit regulations, and other fiscal matters necessary for the financial accounting and reporting of all receipts and disbursements of the federal government. [15] See FCC, Order, In the Matter of Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for Federal Agencies and Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards to the Universal Service Fund, FCC 03-232 (Washington, D.C.; Oct. 3, 2003). [16] An "obligation" is an action that creates a legal liability or definite commitment on the part of the government to make a disbursement at some later date. [17] According to USAC, the Universal Service Fund was invested in a variety of securities, including cash and cash equivalents, government and government-backed securities, and high-grade commercial paper. USAC generally did not seek the approval of the commission on particular investments, although investments were made with FCC knowledge and oversight through formal audits and informal meetings and review. [18] Universal Service Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act, Pub. L. No. 108-494, § 302, 118 Stat. 3986 (2004). The law exempts universal service monies from the Antideficiency Act until December 31, 2005. [19] Because OMB and FCC had believed the funds were not public monies "for the use of the United States" under the Miscellaneous Receipts Statute, neither OMB nor FCC viewed the Universal Service Fund as subject to that statute. [20] For example, in October 2003, when FCC ordered USAC to comply with GovGAAP, it noted that the Universal Service Fund was subject to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. In that same order, FCC stated that "the funds may be subject to a number of federal financial and reporting statutes" (emphasis added) and "relevant portions of the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996," but did not specify which specific statutes or the relevant portions or further analyze their applicability. FCC officials also told us that they were uncertain whether procurement requirements such as the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) applied to arrangements between FCC and USAC, but they recommended that those requirements be followed as a matter of policy. [21] See 31 U.S.C. §§ 3321, 3322, 3325, and the Treasury Financial Manual. [22] See OMB Circular A-76, May 29, 2003, which defines an inherently governmental activity as requiring "the exercise of substantial discretion in applying government authority and/or in making decisions for the government." [23] 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)(2)(A). [24] For additional details on the Results Act and its requirements, see GAO, Executive Guide: Effectively Implementing the Government Performance and Results Act, GAO/GGD-96-118 (Washington, D.C.: June 1996). GAO first noted the lack of clear and specific E-rate performance goals and measures in its July 1998 testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. See GAO, Schools and Libraries Corporation: Actions Needed to Strengthen Program Integrity Operations before Committing Funds, GAO/T-RCED-98-243 (Washington, D.C.: July 16, 1998), pp. 15-16. [25] See NCES, Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994-2002, NCES-2004-011 (Washington, D.C.; October 2003). This was the most recent update available at the time of our review. [26] OMB reviewed E-rate using its Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART), which is a diagnostic tool intended to provide a consistent approach to evaluating federal programs as part of the executive budget formulation process. [27] USAC, through its duties as administrator of the fund, initially seeks recovery of erroneously disbursed funds. In addition, the commission adopted rules in April 2003 to provide for suspension and debarment from the program for persons convicted of criminal violations or held civilly liable for certain acts arising from their E-rate participation. Debarments would be for a period of three years unless circumstances warrant a longer debarment period in order to protect the public interest. [28] See FCC, Office of the Inspector General Semiannual Report to Congress, October 1, 2003--March 31, 2004 (Washington, D.C.; May 3, 2004). [29] GAO/AIMD-00-21.3.1. [30] FCC, Fifth Report and Order, In the Matter of Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, FCC-04-190 (Washington, D.C.; Aug. 13, 2004), para. 74. [31] Comments were due January 5, 2005; reply comments were due January 20, 2005. [32] FCC 04-190, para. 75. [33] In testimony before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce in June 2004, FCC's Inspector General submitted a prepared statement that said the "results of audits that have been performed and the allegations under investigation lead us to believe the program may be subject to unacceptably high risk of fraud, waste and abuse." At the same hearing, the Chief of FCC's Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis and the Deputy Chief of FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau submitted a prepared statement that said that FCC had "enabled implementation of the [E-rate] statutory goals with a minimum of fraud, waste, and abuse." [34] Virtually all of the decisions made by FCC and USAC in their management and administration of the E-rate program may be subject to petition for reconsideration or appeal by beneficiaries. Moreover, schools and libraries have the option of multiple appeal levels, including USAC, the Wireline Competition Bureau, and the commission. [35] The bulk of the appeals are to USAC, which received a total of 16,782 appeals from the beginning of the program through 2003. Of these, 646--roughly 4 percent--remained undecided as of September 20, 2004.