FirstNet Cited by Inspector General

FirstNet, the mission to build and maintain the first high-speed, nationwide broadband network dedicated to public safety, was recently audited during their first 14 months of existence. According to IWCE’s Urgent Communications, “the audit revealed multiple administrative problems in executing government policies and an unidentified board member exerted “undue influence” on a contractor’s hiring practices during this period. Inspector General (IG) for the U.S. Department of Commerce conducted the audit after then-FirstNet Chairman Sam Ginn made the request last fall. At that time, an internal committee of FirstNet board members had just determined that April 2013 allegations from FirstNet board member Paul Fitzgerald that the board was not acting with appropriate openness or transparency were unfounded.” The report noted that one board member failed to “disclose an interest in a conflicting company,” and that “all four four of these board members continued to engage in decision making, even though they were not in compliance with the financial-disclosure requirements.” The contracting practices also lacked transparent award competition, sufficient oversight of hiring, and adequate monitoring, and procedures to prevent payment of erroneous costs. To learn more, read IWCE’s Urgent Communications’ full article.