Turn the mission into audit-ready proof of impact.

Audit-readiness packages that align design, data, learning and development, and compliance for higher education, vocational school access programs, and NGOs to document impact and reduce funding risk.

Find Your Best Fit Package

Access Program Compliance

Who can audit the program now, and for what?

  • Dept. of Labor (DOL)

    Set to run competitions, manage awards, and provide technical assistance while aligning access program work with college-to-career and workforce outcomes.

  • Department of Education (DOE)

    Checks whether projects serve eligible students, deliver the required services, report accurate APR data, and spend funds only on allowable activities under your grant terms

  • Office of Management and Budget (OBM)

    Sets the Uniform Guidance rules the institution must follow on allowable costs, internal controls, procurement, and Single Audit requirements

  • Inspectors General (ED & DOL)

    Independent watchdogs that step in when there are red flags about fraud, misuse of funds, or weak oversight

  • Government Accountability Office (GAO)

    Audits at the systems level for Congress

    Asking whether ED and DOL are overseeing grants effectively and whether TRIO is achieving its intended outcomes

Badges to Certify Compliance

Access + TLF

Higher education access programs can juggle advising, tutoring, events, audit-focused campus visits, reporting, finances and case management with limited staff and time. The Language Firm supports these access programs with Federal Program Integrity and AI & DataGuard audit-readiness packages that standardize forms, tighten data flows, and keep documentation compliant so staff can focus on students.

The NGO Package

Mission-driven. Audit-ready. Learning-supported.

  • The Learning & Development Review

    What it is: Learning programs designed, deployed, and measured with KPIs and continuous feedback loops.

    Who it’s for: NGOs building consistent staff practice across teams and sites.

  • The Federal Funding Review

    What it is: A readiness program that builds controls, documentation, and a monitoring-visit binder for federal and pass-through reviews.

    Who it’s for: NGOs with federal or pass-through funding who want to prevent disallowed costs and reporting gaps and/or need review-ready systems and evidence.

  • The AI & DataGuard Review

    What it is: AI, data, and vendor governance for due-diligence readiness and safe data handling.

    Who it’s for: NGOs using SaaS and AI with sensitive beneficiary or donor data.

Explore Package Offerings and Resources

The Access Program Badge Families

Federal Program Integrity Badge Family

Investigates whether your policies, spending, and documentation match federal rules and your grant

Reviews key files, budgets, time-and-effort records, and reports to flag gaps.

All tiers come with a compliance snapshot, targeted corrective actions, and a badge-ready summary for leaders, boards, and funders.

AI & DataGuard Badge Family

Reviews how your program uses AI and third-party tools, manages student data, and complies with FERPA

Reviews consent, access, and data flows to flag risky or undocumented practices.

All tiers come with a compliance snapshot, targeted corrective actions, and a badge-ready summary for leaders, boards, and funders.

The Badge Levels

Progress through the levels of each badge family to demonstrate compliance and care. Where does your program currently stand?

Reviewed

Baseline level. You’ve completed a tier review, documented key policies and practices, and surfaced the most important risks and gaps.

Verified

Stronger implementation. Priority gaps are addressed or in progress, core processes are standardized, and there is consistent evidence across sites or programs.


Leading

Model practices. Systems are implemented with high fidelity, outcomes are monitored, data are regularly reviewed and analyzed, and you can serve as an example for peer institutions.

The NGO Package

  • Tier 1: Core (up to 10 tools/vendors)

    Includes

    • Data inventory + system map

    • Data classification + retention/deletion schedule

    • AI/tool register with data-use rules (allowed, prohibited, approval-required)

    • Vendor intake kit (questionnaire + minimum requirements + DPA/terms checklist)

    • Access and offboarding baseline (roles + checklists)

    • Incident response playbook (first 24 hours + evidence preservation)

    • Due-diligence evidence folder (organized, review-ready)

    • 1 tabletop exercise + after-action fixes
      Fixed price: $37,500
      Optional ongoing support: $3,000/mo

    Tier 2: Expanded (11 to 25 tools/vendors)

    Includes everything in Tier 1, plus

    • Vendor risk tiering rubric + vendor risk register

    • Access governance workflow (quarterly access reviews) for up to 6 core systems

    • Expanded due-diligence response library (questionnaire-ready)
      Fixed price: $52,500
      Optional ongoing support: $5,500/mo

    Tier 3: Comprehensive (26+ tools/vendors, higher sensitivity, multi-site)

    Includes everything in Tier 2, plus

    • Role templates and access governance for up to 10 core systems

    • 2 tabletop exercises (for example vendor breach + AI data handling)

    • One completed high-stakes due-diligence response pack (for one partner/funder)
      Fixed price: $96,000
      Optional ongoing support: $10,000/mo

  • Tier 1: Core (1 to 2 awards)

    Includes

    • Award rules crosswalk (costs, reporting, procurement, labor)

    • Compliance risk register + 30/60/90 plan

    • Evidence spine setup (folders, naming, retention)

    • Allowable cost and documentation standards (decision rules + checklists)

    • Procurement toolkit (quotes, sole source, logs, COI)

    • Timekeeping and allocation toolkit (method + templates)

    • Budget-to-actual tracker + report backup pack template

    • Monitoring-visit binder for up to 2 awards

    • 1 mock review with fixes
      Fixed price: $36,500
      Optional ongoing support: $3,250/mo

    Tier 2: Expanded (3 to 6 awards or any subrecipients)

    Includes everything in Tier 1, plus

    • Monitoring-visit binders for up to 4 awards (or 2 award clusters)

    • Subrecipient monitoring toolkit for up to 2 subrecipients

    • 2 mock reviews with fix verification
      Fixed price: $52,500
      Optional ongoing support: $5,750/mo

    Tier 3: Comprehensive (7+ awards, multi-site, multiple subs)

    Includes everything in Tier 2, plus

    • Monitoring-visit binders for up to 7 awards (or 3 to 4 clusters)

    • Subrecipient monitoring system for up to 5 subrecipients

    • Full mock monitoring visit simulation (multi-role)
      Fixed price: $81,500
      Optional ongoing support: $9,750/mo

  • Tier 1: Core (1 to 2 role pathways)

    Includes

    • Skills and needs analysis (use existing data + targeted inputs)

    • Competency framework mapping by role

    • Modality rubric selection + accessibility checks

    • Curriculum map + module outlines

    • Job aids and templates tied to workflows

    • Implementation calendar + onboarding integration plan

    • Learning effectiveness framework (KPIs, instruments, tracking tool, feedback loop)
      Fixed price: $20,000
      Optional ongoing support: $3,000/mo

    Tier 2: Expanded (3 to 5 role pathways)

    Includes everything in Tier 1, plus

    • Pathways for up to 5 roles (program, finance/grants, ops, leadership, managers)

    • KPI rollups by role/team and site (as needed)

    • More complete facilitation materials set (guides + activities)
      Fixed price: $32,000
      Optional ongoing support: $6,000/mo

    Tier 3: Comprehensive (6+ pathways or multi-site rollout)

    Includes everything in Tier 2, plus

    • Multi-site rollout plan with governance cadence

    • Leadership-ready reporting views and quarterly review templates

    • Train-the-trainer package (facilitator guide + scenarios + assessment keys)
      Fixed price: $54,500
      Optional ongoing support: $12,500/mo

    Training delivery (optional, fixed)

    • Virtual session (60 to 90 min): $4,500

    • Onsite session (60 to 90 min): $7,500 (travel not included)

    * Timelines are confirmed during the consultation and finalized in the Statement of Work.

  • The Brain-Safe L&D Starter Rubric

    A one-page 0–2 scoring rubric to quickly review NGO training modules for brain-safe design, accessibility, and on-the-job transfer, with evidence-ready documentation fields. 

Schedule an NGO Consultation

The Evidence Monitor Maintenance Core

  • This recurring suite is best for schools/programs that don’t yet have a reliable evidence operating system

    • Evidence is scattered across inboxes/Drives

    • Evidence owned by individuals (not a routine)

    • The “upload sprint” happens late

      This suite is the making of your compliance foundation. The Evidence Spine is built once, then kept current so you can prove compliance on demand (even with staff turnover, shifting priorities, or new reporting expectations).

  • Month 1 Evidence Spine build + baseline risk scan; monthly evidence index upkeep + QA sampling + office hours; quarterly readiness checkpoint + findings brief + updated priorities; January cycle upload-readiness sprint.

    • Evidence Spine build package (folder rules, decision rules, evidence index)

    • Monthly Evidence QA Note (what’s missing, what’s stale, what’s risky)

    • Quarterly Readiness Brief + priority corrective actions

    • Virtual: $40,000/yr ($3,300/mo)

    • Hybrid: $46,000/yr ($3,800/mo)

    • In-person: $52,000/yr ($4,300/mo) (travel included as applicable).

Schedule a Maintenance Core Consultation

The Federal Program Integrity Package

  • Best for: Programs needing a baseline compliance check.
    Price: Starting at $8,500 per program
    Typical timeline: 3–4 weeks     from kickoff to final report and badge determination.

    • High-level review of higher education access program grant, policies, procedures, and key artifacts.

    • Compliance map focused on core higher education access program requirements and obvious risk points.

    • Short, prioritized corrective actions list aligned to immediate fixes.

    • Eligibility for Federal Integrity Program Badge level placement.

  • Best for: Programs that want deeper alignment to federal standards for higher education access program rules and stronger, defensible documentation.
    Price: Starting at $14,500 per program
    Typical timeline: ~7 weeks from kickoff to final report and badge determination

    What you get beyond Tier I:

    • Expanded document and file review – We go past the core artifacts from Tier I to analyze student file compilation methodology, review time/effort records, recruitment materials, policies, MOUs, and key data pulls to see how things actually run day to day.

    • Practice checks, not just paper checks – We spot-check live practices (intake, advising, documentation norms, service tracking) against what’s written in your policies and procedures to surface gaps between “what should happen” and “what really happens.”

    • Deeper mapping to federal standards for higher education access program requirements – A more granular crosswalk to higher education access program regulations, grant assurances, and your local policies so you can see exactly where you’re fully aligned, partially aligned, or exposed.

    • Richer corrective actions plan – A more detailed corrective actions report that adds timelines, priority levels, and named owner roles so you can immediately assign work, sequence fixes, and monitor follow-through.

    • Badge Determination and Board/cabinet-ready narrative – Badge level determination plus a concise narrative summary for boards, cabinet, and campus leadership that explains your status, key risks, and next steps in clear, non-technical language.

  • Best for: Programs seeking full readiness for federal monitoring, audits, or site visits.
    Price: Pricing determined during consultation
    Typical timeline: 8–10 weeks from kickoff to final report, board-facing materials, and badge determination

    What you get beyond Tier II:

    • Targeted staff interviews and process walkthroughs – Structured interviews with key staff and live walkthroughs of intake, student file compilation, service delivery, documentation, and data/reporting workflows to mirror what funders and auditors will ask on site.

    • Comprehensive compliance map – A visual, end-to-end compliance map that connects higher education access program regulations, grant assurances, and local policies to your actual program design, documentation, and daily operations, highlighting strengths, gaps, and risk points.

    • Implementation-ready corrective actions plan – A detailed corrective actions plan with phases, timelines, named owners, and suggested artifacts (templates, checklists, scripts, sample language) to support smooth implementation and re-checks.

    • Badge Earning and external-facing materials – Badge determination available for your status, plus a board- and cabinet-ready summary (PDF/one-pager) you can use with external stakeholders, funders, and campus leadership to show readiness and planned next steps.

Schedule a Tier Consultation

The AI & DataGuard Package

  • Best for: Programs needing a quick check on data and privacy risks.
    Price: Starting at $9,500 per program
    Typical timeline: 3–4 weeks     from kickoff to final report and badge determination.

    • Review of how the program collects, stores, and shares higher education access program student data.

    • Basic compliance map against core privacy, consent, and access expectations.

    • Short list of critical risks and immediate corrective steps.

    • DataGuard badge determination with simple talking points for stakeholders.

  • Best for: Programs using multiple systems and needing clearer, defensible data governance.
    Price: Starting at $16,500 per program
    Typical timeline:5–7 weeks from kickoff to final report and badge determination

    What you get beyond Tier I:

    • Deeper system and tool review – We go past the core checks from Tier I to examine how your SIS/CRM, spreadsheets, advising tools, and other platforms are actually configured and used for higher education access program data.

    • End-to-end data flow mapping – A clear map of how data moves across intake, advising, tutoring, workshops, and reporting so you can see where data is created, transformed, duplicated, or lost.

    • Targeted data governance fixes – Corrective actions that include sample policy language, role definitions, and workflow adjustments to tighten ownership, permissions, and update rules across systems.

    • Website- and report-ready badge summary – Badge determination plus a brief, plain-language summary suitable for your website, annual reports, and marketing materials to show your data practices have been independently reviewed.

  • Best for: Programs using AI, predictive tools, or complex data stacks that need a defensible, future-proof data and AI governance story.
    Price: Pricing determined during consultation
    Typical timeline: 8–10 weeks from kickoff to final report, board-facing materials, and badge determination

    What you get beyond Tier II:

    • Deep-dive AI and predictive tool review – Focused review of AI-assisted tools, prompts, models, and outputs, including how you use them in advising, risk-flagging, outreach, and reporting.

    • Privacy, consent, and access evaluation – Assessment of data minimization, consent practices, and role-based access across systems, with attention to FERPA alignment, vendor risk, and cross-system sharing.

    • Control-focused corrective actions plan – Detailed corrective actions plan with recommended technical and procedural controls, ready-to-use policy and SOP templates, and practical staff guidance for day-to-day use.

    • DataGuard badge determination and external story – DataGuard badge determination plus an external-facing summary (PDF/one-pager) you can share with funders, boards, and campus leadership to demonstrate earned level of AI and data governance.

Schedule a Tier Consultation

The Audit Readiness Retainer

  • Best for: Programs that want a standing compliance operating system plus recurring verification (not a one-off audit).

  • Everything in the Evidence Monitor Maintenance (Core) plus one quarterly audit snapshot in one lane (choose below):

    • Evidence pack (organized, reviewer-ready set + index mapping)

    • Findings brief (risks, gaps, quick wins)

    • Corrective action list (owners, due dates, required artifacts) 

  • Choose a package lane for the retainer:

    Federal Programs Integrity

    AI & DataGuard

    • Virtual: $65,000/yr ($5,420/mo)

    • Hybrid $77,000/yr ($6,420/mo)

    • In-person $89,000/yr ($7,420/mo) (travel included as applicable).

Schedule a Audit Retainer Consultation