FCC Proposes Extending Suspension and Debarment Framework to Additional Programs

Content

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) proposes additional safeguards to protect against waste,
fraud, and abuse, including additional mandatory reporting requirements, and proposes to extend the Commission's suspension
and debarment framework to additional programs. A Final Rule relating to the Commission's adoption of revised suspension and
debarment rules is published elsewhere in this issue of the
Federal Register
.

DATES:

Comments are due on or before May 11, 2026 and reply comments are due on or before June 8, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Pursuant to §§ 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply
comments on or before the dates provided in the
DATES
section above. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing
of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). You may submit comments, identified by GN Docket No. 19-309, by
any of the following methods:

• Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the internet by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs.

• Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing.

• Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service. All filings must be addressed to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
• Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by the FCC's mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building.
• Commercial courier deliveries (any deliveries not by the U.S. Postal Service) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554. • People With Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paula Silberthau, Attorney Advisor, Office of General Counsel, 202-418-1874, paula.silberthau@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This is a summary of the Commission's Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) in GN Docket No. 19-309, FCC 26-18, adopted on March 26, 2026, and released on March 27, 2026. The complete text of this
document is available for download at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-18A1.pdf. Alternative formats are available for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format) by sending
an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or calling the Commission's Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0503.

Ex Parte Presentations. The proceeding this document initiates shall be treated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business
days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating
in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation
consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments,
memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her
prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments
can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission
has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that
proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g.,.doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission's ex parte rules.

Regulatory Flexibility Act. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA) requires that an agency prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis
for notice and comment rulemakings, unless the agency certifies that “the rule will not, if promulgated, have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.” Accordingly, the Commission has prepared an Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) concerning the possible/potential impact of rule and policy proposals on small entities in the
FCC document. The IRFA is found below and in Appendix C of the Commission's Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The Commission
invites the general public, particularly small businesses, to comment on the IRFA. Comments must be filed by the deadlines
for comments on the Notice of

  Proposed Rulemaking indicated on the first page of this document and must have a separate and distinct heading designating
  them as responses to the IRFA.

Paperwork Reduction Act. This document contains proposed new or modified information collection requirements. The Commission, as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork burdens, will invite the general public to comment on the information collection requirements contained
in this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. In addition, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork
Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), the Commission seeks specific comment on how it might further reduce the information collection burden
for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.

Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act: Consistent with the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act, Public Law 1189-9, a summary of the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking will be available at https://www.fcc.gov/proposed-rulemakings.

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) administers several congressionally-mandated programs, such as the
Universal Service Fund (USF) and the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) program, that provide significant funding to
close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to communications services. In administering these important
programs, it is incumbent upon the Commission to be a good steward of these funds, which are ultimately paid for by the American
people. We must ensure that these limited dollars serve their intended purposes. Waste, fraud, and abuse frustrate the Commission's
goals and undermines public trust in these programs. Bad actors who would seek to enrich themselves by siphoning these critical
resources away from connecting rural households and businesses, schools and libraries, rural healthcare providers, low-income
households, and people with disabilities have no place in these programs. As such, in a companion Report and Order, we adopted
additional, critical tools which will allow us to promptly and efficiently take action to exclude or otherwise limit bad actors'
participation in these programs. These changes, which received widespread support in the record, will align our processes
with other agencies, incorporate current fraud prevention best practices, and, ultimately, distribute funds more responsibly.

In the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, we propose to update existing information collection mechanisms for affected
programs to include a new certification that applicable program participants have read and complied with the rules we adopt
in the Report and Order. We also seek comment on additional safeguards to enhance accountability. We also seek comment on
whether applying the new rules to the Commission's Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (also
referred to as the Supply Chain Reimbursement Program or, colloquially, Rip-and-Replace) to subsidize smaller carriers to
remove and replace certain equipment that poses an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States, as well
as to any future USF or TRS programs or National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) or similar financial assistance
programs, will improve the sustainability of their funding for the benefit of those whom the programs serve.

Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Additional Safeguards

In this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, we seek comment on additional safeguards that could be added to the suspension
and debarment framework adopted by the Report and Order. Specifically, we propose to update existing information collection
mechanisms for affected programs to include a new certification that applicable program participants have read and complied
with the rules we adopt in the Report and Order. We expect that this proposal will help streamline the implementation of the
Guidelines and supplemental rules and decrease the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse by prompting participants to both
familiarize themselves, and comply, with the adopted rules and providing additional tools to remedy noncompliance. We anticipate
this approach to pose little additional burden given that those participating in Commission programs are already responsible
for complying with the rules relating to those programs and this approach could help increase awareness of Commission rules
among entities that might not otherwise conduct business before the Commission. We seek comment on this proposal and the benefits
or burdens it may create, particularly as to any adjustments to alleviate any potential burden on small entities.

We also propose adopting a mandatory disclosure requirement that would provide the agency with additional information concerning
threats to program integrity, and other forms of waste, fraud, and abuse in our programs. Specifically, we propose to adopt
the mandatory disclosure provision from OMB's Uniform Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance that would require any “applicant,
recipient, or subrecipient of a Federal award [to] promptly disclose whenever . . . it has credible evidence of the commission
of a violation of Federal criminal law involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery, or gratuity violations” in connection
with the award of Federal funds. 2 CFR 200.113. This provision would require applicants and recipients—often the first to
learn of potential waste, fraud, and abuse—to proactively alert both the agency and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
of any such credible evidence. We propose adoption of this requirement and propose modifications to the program certifications
to require applicants and recipients to demonstrate their compliance with the provision when participating in our programs.
We tentatively conclude that adoption of this requirement would better ensure program participants are actively assisting
the agency in deterring and addressing waste, fraud, and abuse in its programs, and we seek comment on this proposal.

Finally, we also seek comment on any additional safeguards, such as additional certifications, appointment of compliance officers
in connection with any compliance plan, or other steps that the Commission may take to enhance its ability to promote greater
accountability and policing among persons receiving financial assistance from Commission programs.

Additional Covered Programs

As discussed briefly above, in 2020, the Commission established the Supply Chain Reimbursement Program (SCRP) to subsidize
smaller carriers to remove and replace certain equipment that poses an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United
States. Although reimbursements are funded by a separate appropriation, the program is designed in part to prohibit Universal
Service Fund support from being used for equipment and services which pose a threat to national security. Over the past six
years, the Commission has processed over 50,000 claims for reimbursement and has approved approximately $1.3 billion in

  disbursements to recipients. As the Suspension and Debarment NPRM preceded the creation of the SCRP, we did not seek comment
  on its inclusion as a covered program for the purposes of suspension and debarment.

We recognize that the Secure Networks Act provided for a debarment-like remedy in the SCRP. Specifically, “[a]ny person or
entity that violates the Reimbursement Program rules will also be banned from further participation in the [SCRP], and the
person or entity may also be barred from participating in other Commission programs, including Universal Service support programs.”
We seek comment on whether we should nonetheless extend the suspension and debarment rules we adopt today to this program,
and if so, how extension of the suspension and debarment rules adopted in the Report and Order would support this program-specific
statutory requirement. We also seek comment on any implementation issues, including whether there should be any program-specific
changes as to how these rules are applied in the context of the SCRP, such as the definitions of primary and lower tier participants
for those programs or the disclosure requirements.

Future Programs

The Report and Order applies the suspension and debarment framework to the USF programs (including High-Cost, E-Rate, Lifeline,
and Rural Health Care), TRS and NDBEDP. On occasion, the Commission establishes new support programs—funded by similar mechanisms
and designed to mirror existing programs—including new models of High-Cost, pilot programs to evaluate future modifications
to universal service, and modernized forms of TRS. To the extent the Commission creates new universal service programs, including
additional forms of high cost support or additional pilot programs, or authorizes new forms of TRS or NDBEDP in the future,
we propose that any such program will be governed by default by the suspension and debarment framework adopted in the Report
and Order. We tentatively conclude that a default application of the suspension and debarment rules to any future USF or TRS
programs or NDBEDP or similar financial assistance programs will improve the sustainability of their funding for the benefit
of those whom the programs serve. Given the anticipated similarities between any future USF or TRS program and those currently
in effect, we do not expect any significant burden on program participants if the suspension and debarment rules were also
extended to these similarly-designed programs. We further anticipate that, to the extent that modifications for a specific
program are appropriate, the Commission can consider such customization in adopting program-specific rules. We seek comment
on this proposal.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA), the Federal Communications Commission (Commission)
has prepared this Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the policies and rules proposed in the Further Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) assessing the possible significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Commission requests written
public comments on this IRFA. Comments must be identified as responses to the IRFA and must be filed by the deadlines for
comments specified on the first page of the FNPRM. The Commission will send a copy of the FNPRM, including this IRFA, to the Chief Counsel for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy.

Need for, and Objectives of, the Proposed Rules

The rules we propose in the Further Notice seek to revise the Commission's rules to include a certification requirement to
transactions for the four USF programs (including High-Cost programs), the TRS program, and the NDBEDP, which are the Commission's
primary permanent nonprocurement programs, as well as to other programs (collectively Covered Programs) to reflect that persons
participating in those programs have read and agree to comply with the rules that the Commission adopted in its Report and
Order above. The proposed certification could increase the likelihood that those receiving financial assistance from FCC-administered
programs will be responsible stewards of these funds.

Additionally, we propose to adopt the mandatory disclosure provision from the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Uniform
Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance that would require applicants and recipients to proactively alert both the agency
and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of any credible evidence of fraud in our programs. We also seek comment on whether
to extend the suspension and debarment framework to the Supply Chain Reimbursement Program, as well as to any new universal
service programs or modernized forms of TRS or NDBEDP the Commission may adopt in the future.

Legal Basis

The proposed action is authorized pursuant to sections 1, 2, 4, 218, 225, 254, 403, 616, and 620 of the Communications Act
of 1934, as amended, section 7402, Title VII of the American Rescue Plan Act 2021, Public Law 117-2, 135 Stat. 4 (2021), and
Section 904 of Division N, Title IX of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182, as amended
by section 60502 of Division F, Title V of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (2021),
47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154, 218, 225, 254, 403, 616, and 620.

Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the Proposed Rules Will Apply

The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that
may be affected by the proposed rules, if adopted. The RFA generally defines the term “small entity” as having the same meaning
as the terms “small business,” “small organization,” and “small governmental jurisdiction.” In addition, the term “small business”
has the same meaning as the term “small business concern” under the Small Business Act. A “small business concern” is one
which: (1) is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional
criteria established by the SBA. The SBA establishes small business size standards that agencies are required to use when
promulgating regulations relating to small businesses; agencies may establish alternative size standards for use in such programs,
but must consult and obtain approval from SBA before doing so.

Our actions, over time, may affect small entities that are not easily categorized at present. We therefore describe three
broad groups of small entities that could be directly affected by our actions. In general, a small business is an independent
business having fewer than 500 employees. These types of small businesses represent 99.9% of all businesses in the United
States, which translates to 34.75 million businesses. Next, “small organizations” are not-for-profit enterprises that are
independently owned and operated and not dominant in their field. While we do not have data regarding the number of non-profits
that meet that criteria, over 99 percent of nonprofits have fewer than 500 employees. Finally, “small governmental jurisdictions”
are defined as cities, counties, towns, townships,

  villages, school districts, or special districts with populations of less than fifty thousand. Based on the 2022 U.S. Census
  of Governments data, we estimate that at least 48,724 out of 90,835 local government jurisdictions have a population of less
  than 50,000.

The rules proposed in the FNPRM will apply to small entities in the industries identified in the chart below by their six-digit North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) codes and corresponding SBA size standard. Based on currently available U.S. Census data regarding the estimated
number of small firms in each identified industry, we conclude that the proposed rules will impact a substantial number of
small entities. Where available, we also provide additional information regarding the number of potentially affected entities
in the industries identified below.

| Regulated industry
(footnotes specify potentially affected entities within a regulated industry where applicable) | NAICS code | SBA size standard | Total firms | Total
small firms | % Small
firms |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing | 334210 | 1,250 employees | 155 | 136 | 87.74 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equip Manufacturing | 334220 | 1,250 employees | 155 | 136 | 87.74 |
| Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 334290 | 800 employees | 310 | 294 | 94.84 |
| Software Publishers | 513210 | $47 million | 16,824 | 12,148 | 72.21 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers | 517111 | 1,500 employees | 3,403 | 3,027 | 88.95 |
| Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) | 517112 | 1,500 employees | 1,184 | 1,081 | 91.30 |
| Telecommunications Resellers | 517121 | 1,500 employees | 955 | 847 | 88.69 |
| Satellite Telecommunications | 517410 | $44 million | 332 | 195 | 58.73 |
| All Other Telecommunications | 517810 | $40 million | 1,673 | 1,007 | 60.19 |
| Libraries and Archives | 519210 | $21 million | 2,030 | 1,891 | 93.15 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services | 541511 | $34 million | 63,144 | 46,196 | 73.16 |
| Information Technology Value Added Resellers (Exception) | 541519 | 150 employees | 11,570 | 8,182 | 70.72 |
| Other Computer Related Services (Except Information Technology Value Added Resellers) | 541519 | $34 million | 11,570 | 8,152 | 70.46 |
| Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services | 541611 | $24.5 million | 10,1761 | 69,836 | 68.63 |
| Marketing Consulting Services | 541613 | $19 million | 50,507 | 34,127 | 67.57 |
| Other Management Consulting Services | 541618 | $19 million | 10,446 | 6,383 | 61.10 |
| Schools | 611110 | $20 million | 14,088 | 14,087 | 99.99 |
| Offices of Physicians Except Mental Health Specialists | 621111 | $16 million | 138,120 | 104,486 | 75.65 |
| Offices of Physicians—Mental Health Specialists | 621112 | $13.5 million | 11,973 | 8,376 | 69.96 |
| Offices of Dentists | 621210 | $9 million | 121,011 | 105,588 | 87.25 |
| Offices of Chiropractors | 621310 | $9 million | 38,673 | 30,425 | 78.67 |
| Offices of Optometrists | 621320 | $9 million | 18,582 | 16,425 | 88.39 |
| Offices of Mental Health Practitioners Except Physicians | 621330 | $9 million | 39,395 | 30,210 | 76.68 |
| Offices of Physical Occupational & Speech Therapists & Audiologists | 621340 | $12.5 million | 31,682 | 25,139 | 79.35 |
| Offices of Podiatrists | 621391 | $9 million | 6,546 | 5,737 | 87.64 |
| Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners | 621399 | $10 million | 29,775 | 18,206 | 61.15 |
| Family Planning Centers | 621410 | $19 million | 1,671 | 1,238 | 74.09 |
| Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers | 621420 | $19 million | 9,647 | 6,837 | 70.87 |
| HMO Medical Centers | 621491 | $44.5 million | 56 | 25 | 44.64 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers | 621492 | $47 million | 516 | 367 | 71.12 |
| Freestanding Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Centers | 621493 | $19 million | 6,092 | 4,544 | 74.59 |
| All Other Outpatient Care Centers | 621498 | $25.5 million | 8,942 | 7,160 | 80.07 |
| Medical Laboratories | 621511 | $41.5 million | 4,527 | 3,525 | 77.87 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers | 621512 | $19 million | 4,717 | 3,537 | 74.98 |
| Home Health Care Services | 621610 | $19 million | 27,774 | 20,724 | 74.62 |
| Ambulance Services | 621910 | $22.5 million | 3,002 | 2,436 | 81.15 |
| Blood and Organ Banks | 621991 | $40 million | 371 | 258 | 69.54 |
| All Other Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health Care Services | 621999 | $20.5 million | 7,270 | 5,794 | 79.70 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 622110 | $47 million | 2,280 | 501 | 21.97 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | 622210 | $47 million | 403 | 134 | 33.25 |
| Specialty Hospitals—Except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse | 622310 | $47 million | 280 | 92 | 32.86 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services | 624230 | $41.5 million | 714 | 514 | 71.99 |

| 2024 Universal service monitoring report telecommunications service provider data
(data as of December 2023) | SBA size standard
(1,500 employees) | | |
| --- | --- | | |
| Affected entity | Total number
FCC form 499A filers | Small firms | % Small
entities |
| Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (Incumbent LECs) | 1,175 | 917 | 78.04 |
| Interexchange Carriers (IXCs) | 113 | 95 | 84.07 |
| Local Resellers | 222 | 217 | 97.75 |
| Operator Service Providers (OSPs) | 22 | 22 | 100 |
| Paging & Messaging | 59 | 59 | 100.00 |
| Toll Resellers | 411 | 398 | 96.84 |
| Telecommunications Resellers | 633 | 615 | 97.16 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers | 4,682 | 4,276 | 91.33 |
| Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) | 585 | 498 | 85.13 |
| Wireless Telephony | 326 | 247 | 75.77 |

| Affected entity | Number receiving
E-Rate fundingcommitments |
| --- | --- |
| Schools | 101,522 |
| Libraries | 11,671 |

Description of Economic Impact and Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements for Small Entities

The RFA directs agencies to describe the economic impact of proposed rules on small entities, as well as projected reporting,
recordkeeping and other compliance requirements, including an estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject
to the requirements and the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record.

In the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comment on its proposal to establish further protections to the suspension and debarment framework adopted
by the Report and Order. We propose that applicable program participants certify that they have read and complied with the
rules adopted in the Report and Order. To achieve this, we propose updating the existing information collection mechanisms
for affected programs. The Commission also seeks comment on additional safeguards, including additional certifications, appointment
of compliance officers in connection with any compliance plan, or other steps that the Commission may take to enhance its
ability to promote greater accountability and policing among persons receiving financial assistance from Commission programs.
Specifically, we propose to adopt the mandatory disclosure provision from the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Uniform
Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance that would require applicants and recipients to proactively alert both the agency
and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of any credible evidence “of a violation of Federal criminal law involving fraud,
conflict of interest, bribery, or gratuity violations” in connection with the award of Federal funds. We also see comment
on whether to apply the recently adopted suspension and debarment framework to the SCRP, as well as to any new universal service
programs or modernized forms of TRS or NDBEDP.

These proposals, if adopted, will help to streamline the implementation of the Guidelines and supplemental rules, and will
aid the Commission in meeting its long-standing objective of decreasing the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse by prompting
participants to both familiarize themselves, and comply, with the adopted rules and provide additional tools to remedy noncompliance.

The Commission does not anticipate that the proposals set forth in the FNPRM will create additional economic, recordkeeping, or other compliance burdens on small entities seeking to comply with the proposed
rules, should they be adopted. We note that entities receiving FCC financial assistance are already required to familiarize
themselves with, and comply with, Commission rules governing participation in such programs. As a result, the proposed rules
should not create additional burdens to small and other entities. While we do not anticipate that such entities will need
to hire professionals to comply with the proposals outlined herein, we request comments from small and other entities that
are specific to any potential burdens or costs small entities may incur in connection with these requirements, as well as
any benefits that may be achieved.

Discussion of Significant Alternatives Considered That Minimize the Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities

The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of any significant alternatives to the proposed rules that would accomplish
the stated objectives of applicable statutes, and minimize any significant economic impact on small entities. The discussion
is required to include alternatives such as: “(1) the establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables
that take into account the resources available to small entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification
of compliance and reporting requirements under the rule for such small entities; (3) the use of performance rather than design
standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for such small entities.”

In developing its proposals in the FNPRM, the Commission considered alternatives that could minimize significant economic impact on small entities. As discussed above,
we propose including a new certification to our existing information collection methods for those entities participating in
USF programs. For example, we considered not adopting such a requirement; however, maintaining the status quo would not meet
our objectives of streamlining both the Guidelines and supplemental rules implementation, and would also not serve the public's
interest in decreasing the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse. Moreover, other alternatives beyond the FNPRM' s proposal could prove to be more economically burdensome to comply with for program participants, some of which are small
entities. The certification proposal in the FNPRM will both meet the Commission's objectives while minimizing administrative or other compliance costs to small entities. We
propose to adopt the mandatory disclosure provision from OMB's Uniform Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance, and seek
comment on alternatives that would ensure program participants are actively assisting the agency in deterring and addressing
waste, fraud, and abuse. As we propose to apply the recently adopted

  suspension and debarment framework to the Supply Chain Reimbursement Program, as well as any new universal service programs
  or modernized forms of TRS or NDBEDP, we seek comment on other alternatives to improve the sustainability of their funding
  for the benefit of those whom the programs serve.

To assist in the Commission's evaluation of the economic impact on small entities, and to better explore options and alternatives,
the Commission seeks comments from small entities and other interested parties on its proposal discussed in the FNPRM. We expect to more fully consider the economic impact on small entities following our review of comments filed in response
to the FNPRM in reaching our final conclusions and promulgating rules in this proceeding.

Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With the Proposed Rules

None.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2026-06863 Filed 4-8-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P

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