House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) trumpeted on Tuesday the Department of Commerce Inspector General’s report on FirstNet, which revealed ethically questionable issues with the group’s project management.
The report covers the management and financial-decision processes of the independent group, FirstNet, which was charged with creating and running a national public safety broadband network.
“Unfortunately, the Inspector General’s report confirms what we have suspected and long feared — that FirstNet had been operating without proper processes and with disregard for laws that guard against impropriety,” Walden said. “Questions of ethics threaten the legitimacy of FirstNet’s efforts and ultimately undermine its important mission to build a nationwide public safety broadband network.”
Some of the specific issues with FirstNet included problems with financial disclosure, including board members not filing timely reports, and no procedures for monitoring conflicts of interest.
Another major issue was inadequate contractor monitoring, which led to $11 million in unsupported costs to the government. Duplicate and supported charges were reportedly made to contractors. A FirstNet official’s influence also interfered with a contractor hiring independent consultants.
Walden said the House panel expects to continue monitoring the program and plans to hold additional hearings early next year to ensure the program operates efficiently.