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Open Recommendations

Spectrum Management: Key Practices Could Help Address Challenges to Improving Receiver Performance
GAO-24-106325
Jul 18, 2024
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should define measurable goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in FCC's April 2023 policy statement. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should identify strategies and resources necessary to achieve goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in FCC's April 2023 policy statement. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Communications Commission The Chair of FCC should identify internal and external factors that could affect FCC achieving goals related to implementing the spectrum management principles outlined in its April 2023 policy statement. These factors should inform FCC's efforts to develop strategies for achieving its goals. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The NTIA Administrator should assess current information and evidence sources related to federal receiver performance and identify and collect additional information as appropriate. Such information and evidence should align with and address broader spectrum efficiency efforts including objectives outlined in the National Spectrum Strategy and FCC and NTIA's MOU. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Tribal Broadband: Additional Assistance to Recipients Would Better Support Implementation of $3 Billion in Federal Grants
GAO-24-106541
Jun 24, 2024
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The Administrator of NTIA should provide technical assistance throughout the funding period to support recipients that are unable to implement their financial sustainability plans. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The Administrator of NTIA should report to Congress on the resources necessary to ensure the financial sustainability of TBCP infrastructure projects. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The Administrator of NTIA should include all key technical assistance for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Programs environmental review process in a single location on NTIA's website. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Broadband Deployment: Agencies Should Take Steps to Better Meet Deadline for Processing Permits
GAO-24-106157
Apr 10, 2024
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6 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Bureau of Land Management The Director of BLM should develop controls to ensure BLM data are sufficiently accurate and complete to track processing times for all communications use applications. (Recommendation 1)
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In the 180-day letter GAO received on July 9, 2024, the Department of Interior agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the Bureau of Land Management would work to develop data standards and devise a report that can accurately track processing times for communications use permit applications by January 31, 2026.
Forest Service The Chief of the Forest Service should develop controls to ensure Forest Service data are sufficiently accurate and complete to track processing times for all communications use applications. (Recommendation 2)
Open
The Department of Agriculture agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the agency would create a plan to address controls and factors related to the delays in processing communications use permits.
Bureau of Land Management The Director of BLM should continue to analyze the factors that contribute to delays in processing communications use applications as they occur and take actions to address those factors. (Recommendation 3)
Open
In the 180-day letter GAO received on July 9, 2024, the Department of Interior agreed with this recommendation and indicated that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would analyze the factors and processes that contribute to delays in authorizing communications use applications and develop recommendations on how to resolve the issues. Following the identification process, BLM will develop system modifications to address the delays and issue policy. The Department of Interior also indicated that the policy would also include guidance on how to document and handle issues related to proponent delays that affect the processing time. Interior indicated that it planned to complete these steps by January 31, 2026.
Forest Service The Chief of the Forest Service should continue to analyze the factors that contribute to delays in processing communications use applications as they occur, as well as the efficacy of the actions the agency has taken to address those factors, and take additional actions as necessary. (Recommendation 4)
Open
The Department of Agriculture agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the agency would create a plan to address controls and factors related to the delays in processing communications use permits.
Bureau of Land Management The Director of BLM should establish a method to alert staff to communications use applications at risk of exceeding the 270-day deadline. (Recommendation 5)
Open
In the 180-day letter GAO received on July 9, 2024, the Department of Interior agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the Bureau of Land Management would develop a standard report within its existing data system and issue appropriate policy to track the processing times for communications use applications. It also indicated that the report would include a method that notifies agency management when applications approach the 270-day deadline. The Department of Interior set a target completion date for these steps of January 31, 2026.
Forest Service The Chief of the Forest Service should establish a method to alert staff to communications use applications at risk of exceeding the 270-day deadline. (Recommendation 6)
Open
The Department of Agriculture agreed with the recommendation and indicated that the agency would create a plan to address controls and factors related to the delays in processing communications use permits.

Spectrum IT Modernization: Incorporating Leading Practices Could Improve Planning Effort
GAO-24-106634
Mar 19, 2024
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The Office of Spectrum Management should develop a high-quality reliable cost estimate that aligns with cost estimating best practices as defined in GAO's Cost Guide and Agile Guide for the IT modernization project. (Recommendation 1)
Open
NTIA concurred with this recommendation. As of March 2024, NTIA stated that it is in the process of completing a cost estimate in accordance with GAO cost estimating best practices and developing performance measures for the IT modernization project.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The Office of Spectrum Management should develop a reliable integrated master schedule that aligns with scheduling best practices as defined in GAO's Schedule Assessment Guide and Agile Guide for the IT modernization project. (Recommendation 2)
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NTIA concurred with this recommendation. As of March 2024, NTIA stated that it had developed an overall plan for the project and would establish an integrated master schedule after it awards a contract for the IT modernization project.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The Office of Spectrum Management should finalize its stakeholder management plan. The plan should document a regular meeting schedule for the IT modernization project to ensure covered agencies have the ability to request information and communicate on NTIA's IT modernization project. (Recommendation 3)
Open
NTIA agreed to implement this recommendation from our March 2024 report and has taken steps to do so. NTIA officials confirmed in May 2024 that it had completed a stakeholder management plan that, according to officials, addresses this recommendation. In November 2024, NTIA officials stated that NTIA is reviewing the plan and anticipates an updated version in December 2024. Upon receiving the updated version, we will assess the plan to determine whether it implements this recommendation. By documenting how it will regularly involve and communicate progress to external stakeholders in appropriate time intervals, NTIA can better ensure that it is effectively identifying stakeholders' requirements and managing fragmentation issues that might impair IT interoperability.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration The Office of Spectrum Management should develop performance measures for the IT modernization project that clearly link with the project's established goals and have specified targets and time frames. (Recommendation 4)
Open
NTIA concurred with this recommendation. As of March 2024, NTIA stated that it is in the process of completing a cost estimate in accordance with GAO cost estimating best practices and developing performance measures for the IT modernization project.
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