# USAGM Rebuilds Broadcasting Capabilities

A September 2026 State Department Office of Inspector General evaluation found that USAGM’s response to Executive Order 14238 proceeded without adequate cost-benefit analysis, workforce planning, reliable evidence, or continuity controls, contributing to gaps in broadcasting, cybersecurity, property management, and financial accountability. USAGM is reversing some cuts and expects temporary contractor support as it rebuilds capabilities. Congress provided $643 million for FY2026 operations after USAGM had sought $153 million to shut down the agency; the OIG’s six recommendations remain unresolved pending evidence of implementation.

- The agency’s rebuilding may create support needs in cybersecurity and IT monitoring, as well as audience research and digital analytics. The extracted signals identify possible contract restarts or replacements, but no specific solicitation, award, or contract value is stated.
- Contractors can use the reported operational gaps and planned temporary support as market intelligence when evaluating relevant capabilities; these reports do not constitute an open procurement opportunity.
- Procurement teams should distinguish the $643 million operating appropriation from contract funding: the signals do not specify how much, if any, will be allocated to contractor work.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Cybersecurity, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 03, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)
- U.S. Department of State, Office of Inspector General (State OIG)
- Voice of America (VOA)
- U.S. Congress

### Sources
- [The price of gutting VOA - POLITICO](https://www.politico.com/newsletters/west-wing-playbook-remaking-government/2026/10/02/the-price-of-gutting-voa-01105431) - Politico
- [Trump tried to dismantle Voice of America. Now the government is paying to rebuild it.](https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/comments/1ww0f2i/trump_tried_to_dismantle_voice_of_america_now_the) - reddit-fednews