The Recovery Act authorized the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to implement the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program—a $4.7 billion one-time competitive matching grants program to expand broadband services to unserved and underserved areas, improve broadband access for public safety agencies, stimulate the economy and create jobs. NTIA is taking on this program midway through its administration of the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) program—a $1 billion grants initiative established by the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. The Commerce Office of Inspector General has statutory oversight responsibilities for each of these similarly structured programs. OIG audit work on PSIC to date provides important lessons learned for NTIA to consider as it implements the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program to ensure funds are used effectively and grants meet program objectives. The report describes these lessons learned and is the first in a series of timely advisory reports the Commerce OIG intends to issue on NTIA’s administration of the Broadband Technology Opportunities program.

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