8. Oversight of Consortia Activities Subsequent to Grant Approval

The Commission authorizes the Communications Division to implement administrative controls necessary to assure that funds disbursed to a Consortium are administered efficiently and cost-effectively consistent with the stated purposes and objectives for which the funds are to be used. The Communications Division and the CASF Consortia Grant recipient will determine the project start date. The Commission will not begin to pay for the Consortium's activities until a start date has been established and until Communication Division receives a signed Consent Form.

Grant funds will be disbursed in accordance with, and within the time specified in, California Government Code Section 927. The Commission's Communications Division has the authority to initiate any necessary audit, verification, and discovery of Consortium members relating to grant funding activities to ensure that CASF Consortia grant funds are spent in accordance with the Commission's adopted rules and standards. Each Consortia grantee shall maintain books, records, documents and other evidence sufficient to substantiate expenditures covered by the grant, according to generally accepted accounting practices.  Each Consortia grantee shall make these records available to the Commission upon request and agrees that these records are subject to a financial audit by the Commission at any time within three years after the Grantee incurred the expense being audited. A Consortia grantee shall provide access to the Commission upon 24 hours notice to evaluate work completed or being performed pursuant to the grant.

The Grantee must use the grant funds solely for the approved project as described in the Grantee's Commission-approved Action Plan and Work Plan. Each Consortia grantee shall complete the project in accordance with and within the project performance period set forth in the Commission-approved Action Plan and Work Plan, unless the Commission or Commission staff has granted an extension or modification in writing. Grantee's performance and completion of the project must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.