*Pages 1--32 from Microsoft Word - 2006 Semi-annual Report to Chairma 10-01-05 - 3-31-06 fina.* Federal Communications Commission Office of the Inspector General Semiannual Report to Congress October 1, 2005 – March 31, 2006 Kent R. Nilsson Acting Inspector General 1 2 1 Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Universal Service Fund (USF)………………………………………………………………………….. 3 Audits………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7 Management…………………………………………………………………………………………...… 21 Investigations……………………………………………………………………………………………. 22 Legislation……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24 IG Hotline…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 25 Specific Reporting Requirements of the Inspector General Act……………………………….. 27 OIG Reports With Questioned Costs………………………………………………………………... 29 OIG Reports With Recommendations That Funds Be Put To Better Use……………………… 30 3 3 Universal Service Fund (USF) Independent Oversight of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Beginning with the Inspector General's semiannual report for the period ending March 31, 2002, the Inspector General (" IG") has included a section highlighting the office's efforts to implement effective, independent oversight of the Universal Service Fund (USF) 1 . Due to its materiality and our assessment of its audit risk, the office has focused much of its attention on the USF mechanism for funding telecommunications and information services for schools and libraries, which is also known as the “Schools and Libraries Program” or the “E- rate” program. In this report, we provide an update on our oversight activity during the most recent six month reporting period. Specifically, we provide an update on OIG oversight activities; provide an update on audits being conducted by other Federal Offices of Inspector General; and summarize other significant investigative activity. Update on OIG Oversight Activities As discussed in previous semiannual reports, the primary obstacle to an effective, independent oversight program has been, and continues to be, inadequate audit and investigative resources so that OIG can conduct its own audits and provide adequate audit support to investigations. This continues to be true despite the efforts of Chairman Martin to provide modern, up- to- date equipment and support, and his request to the Congress for additional funding to support the work of this office. Inadequate investigative and internal audit resources have prevented the OIG from fully completing the body of work it believes is essential to `assessing fraud, waste, and abuse. In addition, inadequate resources have made it difficult for the OIG to provide appropriate support to federal law enforcement in investigations of fraudulent activity in the E- rate program. In the last semiannual report, the IG was able to state that progress had been achieved with the addition of two (2) additional audit staff to the USF audit and investigations team. And, although the IG had been advised by then- Chairman Powell’s office that the OIG would receive two (2) additional staff for USF oversight, the office did not receive any new staff resources. Since our last discussion with the former Chairman Powell, the President designated Kevin J. Martin as the new Chairman of the Commission. Beginning with the Commission’s FY 2007 budget submission, Chairman Martin requested that the OIG be given twelve (12) additional FTEs and up to $20, 480,000 funded through USF program receipts. That request is currently pending before Congress. Until that request for new staff resources is addressed, we continue our oversight responsibilities with the limited resources on hand. In this office's last semiannual report to the Congress, we reported that we had been working with USAC since the summer of 2004 to establish a three- way contract under which the OIG and USAC could obtain audit resources to conduct USF audits to fulfill the statutory requirements required of the Commission as mandated by the Improper Payments Improvement Act of 2002 (IPIA). The FCC's IG and USAC completed the contractor selection process and a 1 The USF is generated through contributions from providers of interstate telecommunications, including local and long distance phone companies, wireless and paging companies, and pay phone providers. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the USF under regulations promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 5 4 Universal Service Fund (USF) public accounting firm was selected to conduct USF audits at the end March, 2005. In April 2005, the USAC Board of Director’s approved the vendor selections recommended by the FCC's IG and the USAC review team. In August 2005, the IG was advised that the Chairman had approved the three- way plan. The Commission’s General Counsel issued a memorandum, dated August 19, 2005, in which he identified problems with the vendor selection process. After discussing these issues with management, the IG decided to support recompeting the procurement to ensure that USAC obtains an independent audit firm (working under the oversight and with input from the OIG) based on competitive procurement principles modeled on the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Currently, USAC has under contract a statistician from George Mason University, who is developing an optimal sampling design for each of the four universal service programs as well as a sampling design to determine whether contributors are being properly charged. As these sampling methodologies are being formulated, the OIG is working closely with USAC to develop multiple requests for proposal (RFPs) so that each audit firm will be able to bid upon clearly defined auditing tasks. We expect to release all RFPs during the third quarter of FY 2006. While the competitive bidding process takes shape, the OIG and USAC continue to exercise oversight roles of the schools and libraries program to prevent fraud, waste and abuse. In this context, the acting IG encouraged USAC to exercise KPMG LLP’s final option for services in regard to another round of schools and libraries audits. This body of work will continue to be developed while KPMG LLP is finishing its last round of one hundred (100) audits. To date KPMG has issued eighty- five (85) reports in draft and thirty- nine (39) of these drafts have undergone the OIG’s quality assurance review and have been presented to the appropriate parties for responses. In addition to all the USF work efforts underway, the Commission is considering making changes in the roles and responsibilities of certain Bureaus and Offices, including the OIG. Certain functions have been reorganized to meet the Commission’s on- going goals of making the administration of the USF more efficient and effective. These changes may have a significant impact on the roles and responsibilities of the OIG regarding USF oversight. In addition, with the retirement of H. Walker Feaster III, the former IG, the Chairman has appointed a new Acting IG and created a new acting Deputy IG position. The new Acting IG has made several key appointments including a new Assistant IG for Investigations and a new Assistant IG for USF Oversight. Chairman Martin has also provided communications equipment as well as computer hardware and software to support the field work of the OIG's auditors, investigators, and attorneys and has increased the training budget and travel funding in the office of the acting Inspector General. 6 5 Universal Service Fund (USF) Audits Conducted by Other Federal Offices of Inspector General On January 29, 2003, the IG executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of the Interior (DOI) OIG. This MOU was a three- way agreement among the Commission, DOI OIG, and USAC for audits of schools and libraries funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other universal service support beneficiaries under the audit cognizance of DOI OIG. Under the agreement, auditors from DOI OIG perform audits for USAC and the FCC OIG. In addition to audits of schools and libraries, the agreement allows for the DOI OIG to consider requests for investigative support on a case- by- case basis. DOI OIG has recently submitted two audits to the OIG. One was an audit of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the other was an audit of the Virgin Islands Department of Education. These audits have been completed and provided to the OIG staff. The OIG is currently reviewing these audits and performing the necessary quality assurance review. We expect these audits to be issued in FY 2006. We have also established a working relationship with the Office of Inspector General at the Education Department (Education OIG). In January 2004, Education OIG presented a plan for an audit of telecommunication services at the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE). Because of the significant amount of E- rate funding for telecommunication services at NYCDOE, Education OIG has proposed that they be reimbursed for this audit under a three- way MOU similar to the existing MOU with DOI OIG. In April 2004, the Universal Service Board of Directors approved the MOU. In June 2004, the MOU was signed and the audit was initiated. The Education OIG held an exit conference with the NYCDOE on September 29, 2005 and forwarded its audit findings to us during February, 2006. We anticipate issuing a final report in FY 2006. Support to Investigations In addition to the audit component of our oversight program, we have provided, and continue to provide, audit support to a number of investigations of E- rate recipients and service providers. To implement the investigative component of our plan, we developed a working relationship with the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Antitrust Division, in turn, has established a task force to conduct USF investigations that is comprised of attorneys in each of the Antitrust Division’s seven field offices and the National Criminal Office. As of the end of this reporting period, we are supporting twenty- four (24) investigations and monitoring an additional eleven (11) investigations. As we discussed in the section that updated OIG oversight activities, the OIG has been working with USAC since the summer of 2004 to establish a three- way contract under which the OIG and USAC can obtain audit resources to conduct USF audits. In addition to providing resources to conduct audits, the three- way agreement also contemplated providing support to criminal investigations of E- rate and USF fraud. As a result of delays that have been encountered in establishing the three- way agreement, the FCC OIG has struggled in its efforts to provide adequate investigative support to federal law enforcement. 7 7 Audits I. Financial statement audits provide assurance about whether an agency’s financial statements present fairly the financial position, results and costs of operations. In addition the financial statement audit reports on the internal controls over financial reporting, and compliance with certain applicable laws and regulations. 1. Audit of the Federal Communications Commission Fiscal Year 2005 Consolidated Financial Statements (Report No. 05- AUD- 04- 03 issued on November 15, 2005) As required by the Accountability of Tax Dollars Act of 2002, the FCC prepared consolidated financial statements in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Bulletin No. 01- 09, Form and Content of Agency Financial Statements, amended, and presented them for audit. The Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 (CFO Act), amended, requires the FCC OIG, or an independent external auditor as determined by the Inspector General, to audit agency financial statements in accordance with Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Under a contract monitored by the OIG, Clifton Gunderson, LLP (hereinafter, "CG"), an independent certified public accounting firm, performed an audit of the FCC’s FY 2005 consolidated financial statements in accordance with required standards, including OMB Bulletin No. 01- 02, Audit Requirements for Federal Financial Statement, amended and applicable sections of the U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)/ President’s Council on Integrity & Efficiency (PCIE) Financial Audit Manual. The results of the audit are contained in three independent auditor’s reports, prepared by CG and dated November 1, 2005, the last day of CG's field work. The highlights of each report have been summarized below. In general, the Commission's management agreed with the findings and supported the recommendations that were contained in those reports. Independent Auditor’s Report – Opinion on the Financial Statements In its report dated November 1, 2005, CG was not able to express an opinion on FCC’s financial statements as of September 30, 2005. CG stated that it was not able to apply all necessary auditing procedures to complete an audit in accordance with applicable standards and OMB Bulletin No. 01- 02, therefore, the scope of work was not sufficient to enable them to express an opinion. Independent Auditor’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting In performing its testing of internal controls necessary to achieve the objectives stated in OMB Bulletin No. 01- 02, CG identified significant deficiencies in the design and operation of the FCC’s internal controls that, in its judgment, could adversely affect the FCC’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data accurately. These deficiencies were categorized as material weaknesses and, accordingly, were treated as reportable conditions according to the definitions that are used by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. 9 9 Audits 2. Report on the Federal Communications Commission Fiscal Year 2005 Special- Purpose Financial Statements (Audit Report No. 045- AUD- 04- 06 issued on November 17, 2005) The FCC prepares special- purpose financial statements to assist in the preparation and audit of the Financial Report of the United States (FR) using the Governmentwide Financial Reports System (GFRS) and the Federal Agencies’ Centralized Trial- Balance System (FACTS I). These statements, which are required by the U. S. Department of the Treasury Treasury Financial Manual (TFM), Volume I, Part 2, Chapter 4700, are not intended to be a complete presentation of the FCC’s financial statements. As required by TFM, 4705.55 - Audit Requirements for the Closing Package, the OIG obtained an audit of these special- purpose financial statements in accordance with Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States under a contract monitored by the OIG. Clifton Gunderson, LLP (" CG") performed the audit of related FY 2005 special- purpose financial statements in conjunction with the FCC’s FY 2005 general purpose financial statement audit, (referred to above as the audit of FCC’s consolidated financial statements.) Because CG was not able to apply all necessary auditing procedures to audit the general purpose financial statements in accordance with auditing standards and OMB Bulletin No. 01- 02, Audit Requirements for Federal Financial Statements. As a consequence, CG issued a disclaimer of opinion on the reclassified statements as of, and for, the year ended September 30, 2005. The special purpose financial statements and accompanying notes as of, and for, the year ended September 30, 2004 were also audited and obtained an unqualified opinion on the reclassified balance sheet, and related reclassified statements of net cost and changes in net position. One note of the Financial Report Notes and Detail Report received a qualified opinion because the accuracy and completeness of undelivered orders could not be determined. After performing the internal control testing necessary to achieve compliance with the objectives contained in Chapter 4700 of the TFM, CG found no material weaknesses over the financial reporting process for the special- purpose financial statements. In addition, Clifton Gunderson’s tests of compliance with TFM Chapter 4700 requirements disclosed no material instances of noncompliance that were required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards or under OMB Bulletin No. 01- 02. Commission management generally agreed with the results of the audit. 11 13 Audits 3. FY 2004 Network Infrastructure Controls (Report No. 04- AUD- 12- 23 issued on December 2, 2005) The objective of this audit was to examine the Information Technology (IT) environment supporting the FCC’s network infrastructure to ensure that the systems are adequately secured in a manner consistent with Federal regulations governing the management of critical information systems. The OIG reviewed major categories of general controls associated with the network security such as access controls, service continuity and security program planning and management. The scope of the audit included the network infrastructure managed by the Office of Managing Director’s Information Technology Center (ITC) and the Auctions and Industry Analysis Division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. We identified several positive security controls during the course of our audit, including a comprehensive set of configuration controls that were in place as well as good physical security of network infrastructure controls. Our audit also disclosed twelve (12) findings pertaining to certain system vulnerabilities. The FCC's management concurred in the results of our audit and implemented appropriate corrective actions prior to the completion of this audit. 4. Audit of the Commission’s Continuity of Operations Program (COOP) (Report No. 45- AUD- 09-17, dated December 6, 2005) In the post 9- 11 environment, contingency planning and business continuity became critical. In 2002, the FCC began to develop continuity of operations (" COOP") plans. The objectives of this audit were: (i) to assess the progress of FCC’s contingency planning; (ii) to assess its continuity of operations program; and (iii) to determine if the FCC has a sustainable program that will achieve the desired result. The OIG identified several positive security controls during the course of our audit, including a successful test of the COOP conducted by the FCC and a backup site for the agency’s High Frequency Directional Finder Center. Our audit, however, disclosed five (5) findings pertaining to weaknesses in the FCC’s implementation of its COOP. The FCC’s management concurred in the results of our audit and implemented appropriate corrective actions prior to the completion of the audit for two (2) findings and outlined corrective actions for the balance of findings. IV. Work- in- process reports on the following audits that were not completed as of the date of publication of this report. In the IG's previous Semiannual Report (for the six month period ending September 30, 2005) the IG reported that fourteen (14) audits and one survey were in progress as well as on- going contracting services and numerous E- rate audits. Of the fifteen (15) open audits, six (6) have been completed. The following audits and surveys are in process: 1. Audit of the Federal Communications Commission's Fiscal Year 2006 Financial Statements 15 14 Audits This audit, required by the Accountability for Tax Dollars Act of 2002, is important both internally to the Commission’s operations and necessary in support of the audit of the Financial Report of the United States. Additionally, the Department of the Treasury has established a "Closing Package" process requiring each agency IG to issue an opinion that the process used for submitting financial data into GFRS (the Government Financial Reporting System) has been reclassified correctly from the audited financial statements. The objective of this audit is to provide an opinion on the FCC's FY 2006 consolidated financial statements. With the assistance of an independent public accounting firm, the OIG audits the compiled annual financial statements in accordance with established Federal guidance. Follow-up procedures will address any material weaknesses or reportable conditions from the FY 2005 audit that have not been satisfactorily resolved. We anticipate issuing an audit report by November 15, 2006, to meet the accelerated reporting time frames and issuance of an opinion on the closing package by November 17, 2006, as required by the U. S. Department of the Treasury. 2. Audit of Loan Portfolio and Related Activity The Commission has a loan portfolio that is comprised of approximately 2,000 debtor installment payment plans. In recent years, the portfolio received increased scrutiny due to its materiality with respect to the FCC’s financial statements. To mitigate concerns regarding past contractor operations and to prepare auditable balances, the Commission contracted with a public accounting firm to review and recalculate loan balances since the inception of the loan program. Although these actions resulted in significant changes to internal controls, loan balances, and source documentation, several recent changes have also affected the internal controls that are associated with the FCC’s loan activity. In FY 2000, FCC contracted with a loan service provider to manage and maintain its loan portfolio. In addition, FCC developed and partially implemented the Revenue Accounting and Management Information System (RAMIS), which was originally represented to OIG as becoming the system of record for the FCC’s loan activity in the future. During FY 2000, the FCC's Financial Operations Office was reorganized and responsibilities were reassigned that affected the maintenance of the loan portfolio. The primary objective of this audit is to assess the transition of the portfolio from the FCC to a loan service provider environment. This audit has been delayed by the FCC’s inability to complete the transition of its loan activities to Colson Services, a process that was only recently completed. We anticipate that this audit can now be completed during FY 2006. 3. FY 2005 FISMA Evaluation The Federal Information System Management Act (FISMA) focuses on the programmatic management, implementation, and evaluation of agency security systems. FISMA replaced the Government Information Security Reform Act (GISRA) which expired in November 2002. A key provision of FISMA requires that each Inspector General perform an independent evaluation of his or her agency's information security programs on an annual basis. The objective of this independent evaluation is to examine the Commission’s security program and practices with respect to major information system applications. To accomplish this objective, we will test the effectiveness of security controls for an appropriate subset of the Commission’s systems. In addition, we will use the FISMA assessment tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the Commission’s information security program as well as to assess the risk 16 15 Audits for each component of the program. The information report requirement by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) was issued August 31, 2005 and our draft report was issued to the FCC's management for comment on December 21, 2005. We anticipate that a final audit report will be issued during the third quarter of FY 2006. 4. Audits of the Physical Security of Commission Facilities In the post 9- 11 environment, physical security to protect FCC employees, contractors, visitors, and assets is essential. The OIG has previously performed a number of audits on physical security. The objectives of this audit are to determine the progress this agency has made in correcting prior audit findings as well as to evaluate the FCC’s physical security program. The focus of this review will be directed to the Commission’s headquarters facilities at Portals I and II in Washington, DC. This audit will provide the Chairman with an independent assessment of the current posture of the FCC’s physical security program at its headquarters facilities. Specific recommendations, if warranted, will be prepared to address any deficiencies identified during the audit fieldwork. An entrance conference on this audit on held on September 20, 2005. In addition, we initiated an audit of the physical security of Commission’s mailroom facilities. We anticipate issuing reports on these audits during the fourth quarter of FY 2006. 5. Integrated Spectrum Auctions System Review The Integrated Spectrum Auctions System (ISAS) is expected by the Commission's management to replace the FCC's Automated Auctions System (AAS). Automation of the Commission's spectrum auctions holds the prospect of providing efficiency gains to the Commission and to the public. The objectives of this review are: (1) to monitor and assess ISAS compliance with the Commission’s systems development life cycle (SDLC) policy; (2) to determine whether effective security controls have been built into ISAS; (3) to measure compliance with Federal capital investment regulations; (4) to ascertain whether the ISAS project has experienced any significant cost overruns, unanticipated expenditures, or project delays. We completed an audit of the ISAS software development methodology in FY 2005 and issued our audit report on May 27, 2005. We are currently conducting Phase 2 of this audit, during which we will perform a further review of the ISAS investment and assess alternatives to the instantiation of this system. We anticipate issuing an audit report during the second quarter of FY 2006. 6. Audit of Regulatory Fee Collections Collection of fees is a critical financial function of the FCC. In recent years, the Commission has collected more than $200,000,000 in fees annually. Because of the criticality of the fee collection function, and the significant financial investment in the systems to automate this function, the IG determined that audit work was warranted. This audit will examine the regulatory fee collection process to determine if the Commission can be reasonably assured that all applicable regulatory fees are being collected. The OIG will review both manual and automated controls over the regulatory fee collection process. We will also review a statistical sample of regulated entities to determine if the Commission has been collecting all fees due. Audit planning has been initiated for this activity. 17 16 Audits 7. Commission Registration System (CORES) Application Audit The Commission Registration System (CORES) system was developed so its users could more easily file applications, reports, and other documents. CORES allows licensing and cable operation information to be more accessible to both FCC staff and to the public. The objective of this survey is to determine the extent and effectiveness of security controls in the CORES application. We will evaluate the efficacy of security controls in CORES, including access controls, separation of duties, penetration testing, application audit trails, and application change controls. Audit planning has been initiated for this audit and we anticipate issuing a report during the fourth quarter of FY 2006. 8. Continuity of Operations (COOP) Audits for Related Entities In the post 9- 11 environment, contingency planning and operations continuity are essential. In 2002, the FCC began to develop operations continuity plans. The objective of these audits is to determine the progress that has been made with respect to the contingency planning programs and the operations continuity programs for FCC related entities to determine if they have realistic, effective, and reliable programs. These audits will provide the Chairman with an independent assessment of the current posture of the operations continuity programs of all entities that are included as part of the FCC’s financial statements. We issued a draft audit report on the COOP for the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) on November 9, 2005. We anticipate issuing a final report on this audit during the third quarter of FY 2006. 9. Telecommunications Relay Services Fund (TRS) Provider Analysis & Risk Assessment The TRS program became effective on July 26, 1993 as an interstate cost recovery plan that required common carriers to provide telephone voice transmission services through out the areas in which they offer services. Approximately $70 millions are contributed annually to a dozen providers by 2,800 common carriers which are paid by telephone customers through their monthly telephone bills. This program has not been subjected to a comprehensive program of audit and oversight by this office. Additionally, the Commission has not calculated the estimated percentage of erroneous payments for the TRS program. This is the first in an anticipated series of projects that will culminate in a defined audit process for providing the Commission and the IG with an independent and comprehensive examination and assessment of the Federal Communication Commission’s TRS program's administration and TRS provider compliance with 47 CFR §§ 64.601 - 64.605 and the conduct of such audits. Objectives include analyzing the FCC TRS oversight requirements, assessing the Commission’s program management functions, and evaluating the operations of the TRS administrator. We anticipate issuing our report on the initial phase of this project during the fourth quarter of FY 2006. 18 17 Audits 11. Audits of E- rate Beneficiaries As discussed in the report section Independent Oversight of the Universal Service Fund (USF), we have a number of audits of E- rate beneficiaries in process. The following table lists the audits and their status. Auditee Location Auditor Status Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Washington, DC DOI OIG In process VI Department of Education St. Thomas, VI DOI OIG In process Brevard County School District Viera, FL FCC OIG Draft report New York City Department of Education New York, NY Education OIG In process Denver Public Schools Denver, CO KPMG LLP Draft report Harlandale Independent School District San Antonio, TX KPMG LLP Draft report Providence Public Schools Providence, RI KPMG LLP Draft report Sunnyside Unified School District 12 Tucson, AZ KPMG LLP Draft report Cincinnati City School District Cincinnati, OH KPMG LLP Draft report Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Providence, RI KPMG LLP Draft report Rio Grande City Consolidated ISD Rio Grande City, TX KPMG LLP In process Advanced Education Services Colton, CA KPMG LLP In process Long Beach Unified School District Long Beach, CA KPMG LLP Draft report North East Independent School District San Antonio, TX KPMG LLP Draft report Delano Joint Union High School District Delano, CA KPMG LLP In process Grant Joint Union High School District Sacramento, CA KPMG LLP In process San Diego County Office of Education San Diego, CA KPMG LLP In process Baltimore City Public School District Baltimore, MD KPMG LLP Draft report Fairfax County Public Schools Fairfax, VA KPMG LLP Draft report Long Branch School District Long Branch, NJ KPMG LLP Draft report Municipal Telephone Exchange Baltimore, MD KPMG LLP In process Alabama Super Computer Authority Montgomery, AL KPMG LLP In process Charleston County School District Charleston, SC KPMG LLP In process Clark County School District Las Vegas, NV KPMG LLP Draft report Dallas Independent School District Dallas, TX KPMG LLP Draft report Department of Information Systems State of Arkansas Little Rock, AR KPMG LLP In process Dorchester County School District #4 Saint George, SC KPMG LLP Draft report El Monte City Elementary School District El Monte, CA KPMG LLP Draft report Fontana Unified School District Fontana, CA KPMG LLP In process Gallup- McKinley County School District Gallup, NM KPMG LLP Draft report 19 18 Audits Auditee Location Auditor Status San Felipe – Del Rio City ISD Del Rio, TX KPMG LLP Draft report Stockton City Unified School District Stockton, CA KPMG LLP Draft report Buchanan County School District Grundy, VA KPMG LLP Draft report Brownsville Independent School District Brownsville, TX KPMG LLP In process Aldine Independent School District Houston, TX KPMG LLP Draft report Edinburg Independent School District Edinburg, TX KPMG LLP In process Houston Independent School District Houston, TX KPMG LLP Draft report Iowa Department of Education Des Moines, IA KPMG LLP Draft report South Carolina Division of the State Chief Information Officer Columbia, SC KPMG LLP In process Pharr – San Juan – Alamo Independent School District San Juan, TX KPMG LLP In process Pomona Unified School District Pomona, CA KPMG LLP Draft report Florida Information Resource Network Tallahassee, FL KPMG LLP In process Texas Youth Commission Austin, TX KPMG LLP Draft report Berkeley County School District Moncks Corner, SC KPMG LLP Draft report Eastern Nebraska Distance Learning Consortium Fremont, NE KPMG LLP Draft report Dougherty County School District Albany, GA KPMG LLP Draft report Montgomery County School District Montgomery, AL KPMG LLP In process Orleans Parish School District New Orleans, LA KPMG LLP In process Kayenta Unified School District 27 Kayenta, AZ KPMG LLP In process Weslaco Independent School District Weslaco, TX KPMG LLP Draft report LaJoya Independent School District LaJoya, TX KPMG LLP Draft report Pasadena Independent School District Pasadena, TX KPMG LLP In process Premont Independent School District Premont, TX KPMG LLP In process Navajo Nation Library Consortium Window Rock, AZ KPMG LLP Draft report Wilson School District 7 Phoenix, AZ KPMG LLP Draft report Los Angeles Unified School District Los Angeles, CA KPMG LLP In process Prince Georges County Schools Upper Marlboro, MD FCCOIG/ USAC In process Miami- Dade County Public Schools Miami, FL KPMG LLP In process American Samoa SEA Pago Pago, AS KPMG LLP Draft report Guam Department of Education Hagatna, GU KPMG LLP In process Birmingham City School District Birmingham, AL KPMG LLP In process Georgia State Department of Education Atlanta, GA KPMG LLP In process Orange County School District Orlando, FL KPMG LLP In process Jackson Public School District Jackson, MS KPMG LLP In process Richland County School District Columbia, SC KPMG LLP Draft report Bassett Unified School District La Puente, CA KPMG LLP Draft report Leake & Watts Services, Inc. Yonkers, NY KPMG LLP In process Corporation for Network Education Initiative in California Cypress, CA KPMG LLP In process Desert Sands Unified School District La Quinta, CA KPMG LLP Draft report Garvey Elementary School District Rosemead, CA KPMG LLP In process 20 19 Audits Auditee Location Auditor Status Nw- Links Moorhead, MN KPMG LLP In process Robstown Independent School District Robstown, TX KPMG LLP In process San Bernardino City Unified School District San Bernardino, CA KPMG LLP In process School Board of Broward County, Florida Sunrise, FL KPMG LLP Draft report South San Antonio Independent School District San Antonio, TX KPMG LLP In process Trenton City School District Trenton, NJ KPMG LLP In process Boston Public Library/ MBLN Boston, MA KPMG LLP In process Boston School District Boston, MA KPMG LLP In process Bridgeport School District Bridgeport, CT KPMG LLP In process Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn, NY KPMG LLP In process Buffalo City School District Buffalo, NY KPMG LLP In process Palm Beach County School District West Palm Beach, FL KPMG LLP In process City of Boston, Department of Neighborhood Development Boston, MA KPMG LLP In process Saginaw Public School District Saginaw, MI KPMG LLP In process School City of East Chicago East Chicago, IN KPMG LLP Draft report Central Islip Union Free School District Central Islip, NY KPMG LLP In process Fresno Unified School District Fresno, CA KPMG LLP In process Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District Norwalk, CA KPMG LLP In process Paramount Unified School District Apple Valley, CA KPMG LLP In process Columbus Public Schools Columbus, OH KPMG LLP In process Gadsden Independent School District Sunland, NM KPMG LLP In process Laredo Independent School District Laredo, TX KPMG LLP In process Milwaukee Public Schools Milwaukee, WI KPMG LLP In process Newark School District Newark, NJ KPMG LLP In process Saint Louis City School District Saint Louis, MO KPMG LLP In process Saint Paul Public School District Saint Paul, MN KPMG LLP In process TEACH Wisconsin Madison, WI KPMG LLP In process Tucumcari Public School District Tucumcari, NM KPMG LLP In process United Independent School District Laredo, TX KPMG LLP In process Yonkers Public School District Yonkers, NY KPMG LLP In process Camden City Public School Camden, NJ KPMG LLP In process Detroit Public School District Detroit, MI KPMG LLP In process Illinois State Board of Education Springfield, IL KPMG LLP In process Kansas City School District Kansas City, MO KPMG LLP In process 12. Audit Support for USF Investigations In addition to the audit component of our independent oversight program, we are providing audit support to investigations of E- rate recipients and service providers. To implement the investigative component of our plan, we established a working relationship with the Antitrust 21 20 Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Antitrust Division has established a task force to conduct USF investigations comprised of attorneys in each of the Antitrust Division’s seven field offices and the National Criminal Office. As of the end of the reporting period, we are supporting twenty- four (24) investigations and monitoring an additional eleven (11) investigations. 22 21 Management Specialized Training and Activities In our continuing effort to expand the expertise of our audit staff, we have attended training at the Inspector General Criminal Investigative Academy, other federal OIG training events, master’s level classes at colleges and universities and other technical seminars. Report Availability This OIG Semiannual Report, as well as other types of reports, can be obtained through the Internet from the OIG web page, which is located on the FCC's website at http:// www. fcc. gov/ oig. OIG reports that containing sensitive or proprietary information that are protected from disclosure by law will be restricted in accordance with that legislation. Internships The OIG welcomes college interns during the fall, spring and summer. Most of these students take their internships for credit. Recent interns have come from schools across the country, including Hamilton College, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California at Davis, American University, Georgetown University, DePauw University, the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, Xavier University, and James Madison University. These internships have proved to be rewarding experiences to all participants. Students leave with a good understanding of how a government agency operates, and they have the opportunity to encounter the challenges involved in governance while enjoying the exhilaration that can come from public service.. In turn, the office has benefited from the students’ excellent work performance that, in part, has reflected their youth, exuberance, and special skills. 23 22 Investigations OVERVIEW Investigative matters pursued by this office are usually initiated as a result of allegations received through the OIG hotline or from FCC managers and employees who contact the OIG directly. Investigations may also be predicated upon audit or inspection findings of fraud, waste, abuse, corruption, or mismanagement by FCC employees, contractors, and/ or subcontractors or through referrals from other governmental agencies. Upon receiving an allegation of an administrative or criminal violation, the OIG usually conducts a preliminary inquiry to determine if an investigation is warranted. Investigations may involve possible violations of regulations regarding employee responsibilities and conduct, federal criminal law, and other regulations and statutes pertaining to the activities of the Commission. Investigative findings may lead to criminal or civil prosecution, or administrative action, or all of the foregoing. The OIG also receives complaints from the general public, both private citizens and commercial enterprises, about the manner in which the FCC executes its programs and oversight responsibilities. All complaints are examined to determine whether there is any basis for OIG audit or investigative action. If nothing is alleged that is within the jurisdiction of the OIG, the complaint is usually referred to the appropriate FCC bureau or office for response directly to the complainant. The OIG continues to serve as a facilitator with respect to responses to complaints that are outside the jurisdiction of this office. Finally, matters may be referred to this office for investigative action from other governmental entities, such as the General Accounting Office, the Office of Special Counsel or congressional offices. ACTIVITY DURING THIS PERIOD Forty- eight (48) cases were pending from the prior period. Thirty- six (36) of those cases involve the Commission’s Universal Service Fund (USF) program and have been referred to the Federal Bureau of investigation (FBI) and/ or the Department of Justice. An additional two (2) non- USF and two (2) USF related complaints were received during the current reporting period. Over the last six months, four (4) cases, three (3) USF and one (1) non- USF related have been closed. A total of forty- eight (48) cases are still pending, of which thirty- five (35) relate to the USF program. The OIG continues to monitor, coordinate and/ or support activities regarding those 35 investigations. The investigations pertaining to the pending thirteen (13) non- USF cases are ongoing. STATISTICS Cases pending as of March 31, 2005 ………………….…………. 48 New cases.……………………………………………………………….. 4 Cases closed……………………………………………………………… 4 Cases pending as of September 30, 2005…………………………….. 48 24 24 Legislation OVERVIEW Pursuant to section 4( a)( 2) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (IG Act), 5 U. S. C. A. App. 3 as amended, our office monitors and reviews existing and proposed legislative and regulatory items for their impact on the Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Communications Commission programs and operations. Specifically, we perform this activity to evaluate their potential for encouraging economy and efficiency and preventing fraud, waste, and mismanagement. The office continued to monitor legislative activities affecting the activities of the OIG and the FCC. During this period, this office specifically monitored legislation and legislatively related proposals which, directly or indirectly, affect the ability of Designated Federal Entity IGs to function independently and objectively. 26 25 OIG Hotline During this reporting period, the OIG Hotline technician received numerous hotline calls to the published hotline numbers of (202) 418- 0473 and 1- 888- 863- 2244 (toll free). The OIG Hotline continues to be a vehicle by which Commission employees and parties external to the FCC can contact the OIG to speak with a trained Hotline technician. Callers who have general questions or concerns not specifically related to the missions or functions of the OIG office are referred to the FCC Consumer Center at 1- 888- 225- 5322. In addition, the OIG also refers calls that do not fall within its jurisdiction to other entities, such as other FCC offices, federal agencies and local or state governments. Examples of calls referred to the Consumer Center or other FCC offices include complaints pertaining to customers’ phone service and local cable providers, long- distance carrier slamming, interference, or similar matters within the program responsibility of other FCC bureaus and offices. During the reporting period, we received eighty- five (85) hotline calls. The majority of these were forwarded to the Consumer Center (49 calls) and the balance of calls were referred to other federal agencies, primarily the Federal Trade Commission (35 calls). Hotline Calls Record October 1, 2005 - MArch 31, 2006 FCC Consumer Hotline Other Federal Agencies 27 26 OIG Hotline Report Fraud, Waste or Abuse to: Office of the Inspector General Federal Communications Commission CALL Hotline: (202) 418- 0473 or (888) 863- 2244 www. fcc. gov/ oig You are always welcome to write or visit. Federal Communications Commission Portals II Building 445 12th St., S. W. –Room #2- C762 28 27 Specific Reporting Requirements of the Inspector General Act The following summarizes the Office of Inspector General response to the 12 specific reporting requirements set forth in Section 5( a) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. 1. A description of significant problems, abuses, and deficiencies relating to the administration of programs and operations of such establishment disclosed by such activities during the reporting period. Please refer to the Section of this report entitled “Universal Service Fund” on pages 3 through 6. 2. A description of the recommendations for corrective action made by the Office during the reporting period with respect to significant problems, abused, or deficiencies identified pursuant to paragraph (1). Please refer to the section of this report entitled “Universal Service Fund” on pages 3 through 6. 3. An identification of each significant recommendation described in previous semiannual reports on which corrective action has not yet been completed. No significant recommendations remain outstanding. 4. A summary of matters referred to authorities, and the prosecutions and convictions which have resulted. Please refer to the section of this report entitled “Universal Service Fund” on pages 3 through 6. No non- USF cases have been referred to the Department of Justice during this reporting period. 5. A summary of each report made to the head of the establishment under section (6)( b)( 2) during the reporting period. No report was made to the Chairman of the FCC under section (6)( b)( 2) during this reporting period. 6. A listing, subdivided according to subject matter, of each audit report issued by the office during the reporting period, and for each audit report, where applicable, the total dollar value of questioned costs (including a separate category for the dollar value of unsupported costs) and the dollar value of recommendations that funds be put to better use. Each audit report issued during the reporting period is listed according to subject matter and described in parts II and III of this report. 7. A summary of each particularly significant report. Each significant audit and investigative report issued during the reporting period is summarized within the body of this report. 29 28 Specific Reporting Requirements of the Inspector General Act 8. Statistical tables showing the total number of audit reports with questioned costs and the total dollar value of questioned costs. The required statistical table can be found at Table I to this report. 9. Statistical tables showing the total number of audit reports with recommendations that funds be put to better use and the total dollar value of such recommendations. The required statistical table can be found at Table II to this report. 10. A summary of each audit report issued before the commencement of the reporting period for which no management decision has been made by the end of the reporting period (including the date and title of each such report), an explanation of the reasons why such a management decision has not been made, and a statement concerning the desired timetable for achieving a management decision on each such report. Three reports were issued before the commencement of this reporting period for which no management decision has been made. These reports are for audits of E- rate beneficiaries. Management has not informed us as to the status of a management decision for the E- rate audits. Report Date Audit Report Title Questioned Costs August 18, 2005 Report on Audit of the E- rate program at $136,849 St. Joseph’s High School, St. Croix, VI August 18, 2005 Report on Audit of the E- rate program at $120,051 St. Mary’s Catholic School, St. Croix, VI August 18, 2005 Report on Audit of the E- rate program at $137,571 St. Patrick Catholic School, St. Croix, VI 11. A description and explanation of the reasons for any significant revised management decision made during the reporting period. No management decisions fall within this category. 12. Information concerning any significant management decision with which the Inspector General is in disagreement. No management decisions fall within this category. 13. Information described under section 05( b) of the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996. No reports with this information have been issued during this reporting period. 30 29 OIG Reports With Questioned Costs Table I. Inspector General Reports With Questioned Costs Number of Reports Questioned Costs Unsupported Costs A. For which no management decision has been made by the commencement of the reporting period. 3 $394,471 _ B. Which were issued during the reporting period. _ _ _ C. For which a management decision was made during the reporting period. _ _ _ (i) Dollar value of disallowed costs _ _ _ (ii) Dollar value of costs not disallowed _ _ _ D. For which no management decision has been made by the end of the reporting period. 3 $ 394,471 _ Reports for which no management decision was made within six months of issuance. 3 $394,471 _ 31 30 OIG Reports With Recommendations That Funds Be Put To Better Use Table II. Inspector General Reports With Recommendations That Funds Be Put To Better Use Number of Reports Dollar Value A. For which no management decision has been made by the commencement of the reporting period. _ _ B. Which were issued during the reporting period. _ _ C. For which a management decision was made during the reporting period. _ _ (i) Dollar value of disallowed costs _ _ (ii) Dollar value of costs not disallowed _ _ D. For which no management decision has been made by the end of the reporting period. _ _ Reports for which no management decision was made within six months of issuance. _ _ 32