Status of CALEA Implementation

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) compliance with the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), focusing on: (1) the telecommunications equipment, facilities, and services that have been modified; and (2) whether FBI payments to telecommunications carriers are reasonable and cost-effective. GAO noted that: (1) FBI has not finalized law enforcement requirements, notified telecommunications carriers of those requirements, made any modifications, or made any payments to carriers; (2) in October 1995, FBI issued draft telecommunications requirements and by May 1996 FBI plans to issue revised requirements that will incorporate comments from carriers; (3) delays in obtaining and addressing public comments and changing requirements have delayed FBI efforts in setting final requirements; (4) 180 days after FBI issues the final requirements carriers must identify equipment, facilities, and services that are not in compliance; and (5) the date payment will begin is uncertain because FBI does not know how long it will take to review the proposals and award contracts, the extent of needed modifications, and when funds will be available.