Consolidated Findings of OIG Reports on SBA's Grant Programs FYs 2014-2018

This evaluation report presents the results of our evaluation of the consolidated findings of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports on SBA’s grant programs, fiscal years 2014–2018. Our objectives were to (1) provide SBA management with a summary of systemic issue areas identified in OIG audit and evaluation reports and (2) identify agencywide improvements for grants management.

Over the last 5 years, OIG issued nine audit and evaluation reports reviewing SBA’s management of its grant programs and grant recipient compliance with grant requirements. These nine reviews covered $63.4 million of grants awards to support entrepreneurial development programs that provide training, mentoring, and counseling to small business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as recovery assistance to small businesses in disaster areas. The programs we reviewed included Small Business Development Centers, the SCORE Association, the State Trade and Expansion Program, and Boots to Business.

We identified systemic issues with SBA’s financial and performance oversight across its multiple grant programs. While SBA was generally responsive to the recommendations in our reports, its decentralized grants management function inhibits agencywide improvements to its grants management process. As a result, SBA’s grant programs are at risk of funds not being used for their intended purpose and of not achieving program goals and objectives.

OIG made four recommendations to enhance SBA’s management and oversight of its grant programs. SBA’s planned actions resolve the four recommendations.