FTA is responsible for conducting oversight activities to assess recipients’ management of grants consistent with their intended purpose and in compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements. The Office of Oversight Review Programs manages the Comprehensive Oversight Review and Technical Assistance Program (Triennial and State Management Reviews) and Financial Management, Procurement System, and ADA Specialized Reviews.

Triennial Review

The largest of the FTA funding programs is the Urbanized Area Formula Grant program, is authorized under federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. § 5307). FTA conducts Triennial oversight reviews of these grantees not less than once every three years and cover 21 compliance areas.

State Management Review

The State Management Review assesses state management practices and program implementation of several formula grants. The reviews are conducted every three years and encompass 21 compliance areas.

Procurement System Review

The Procurement System Review examines 57 elements to determine if FTA grantees meet FTA procurement requirements and to identify corrective actions, if needed. In addition to helping evaluate grantees, the review gives FTA an opportunity to provide information to grantees on the latest FTA procurement requirements.

Financial Management Oversight Review

FTA requires assurance that recipients have sound financial management systems and adequate internal controls to manage federal funds. Financial Management Oversight Reviews examine a grant recipient’s financial management system’s ability to meet the criteria of 2 CFR Part 200 and determine if the recipient’s financial system is adequate to support the statutory and administrative requirements.

FTA's Office of Program Oversight

Hope Jensen, Director

Hope Jensen serves as Director of Oversight Review Programs in FTA’s new Office of Program Oversight, which administers a national oversight program to promote compliance with statutory requirements in support of transit investment. Her team manages the Triennial, State Management, Financial Management, Procurement System, and Americans with Disabilities Act Reviews. The Office also provides Technical Assistance and Training, and contractor support for Tribal Assessments.

Prior to joining the FTA in 2014, Ms. Jensen had an extensive 30-year career in Minnesota State government, where she held key leadership roles in the Minnesota Department of Transportation including Associate Legal Counsel in the Office of Chief Counsel, Civil Rights Office Director, Hiawatha Light Rail Transit Project Chief of Staff, Legislative Liaison and Hearing Examiner. Ms. Jensen is an attorney and a member of the Minnesota Bar. She began her legal career as a law clerk for the Minnesota Supreme Court.