Audit 2100

FY End
2022-12-31
Total Expended
$18.05M
Findings
14
Programs
13
Organization: City of Renton (WA)
Year: 2022 Accepted: 2023-11-01

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
1097 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
1098 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
1099 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
1100 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
1101 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
1102 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
1103 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
577539 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
577540 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
577541 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
577542 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
577543 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
577544 2022-001 Material Weakness - I
577545 2022-001 Material Weakness - I

Contacts

Name Title Type
UG2PSBS6UJJ3 Kari Roller Auditee
4254306931 Ngan Kim-Hoang Nguyen Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Note 1 – BASIS OF ACCOUNTING Accounting Policies: The City uses the modified accrual basis of accounting for governmental funds and the accrual basis of accounting for proprietary funds. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City has not elected to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. This Schedule is prepared on the same basis of accounting as the City’s financial statements. The City uses the modified accrual basis of accounting for governmental funds and the accrual basis of accounting for proprietary funds.
Title: Note 2 – FEDERAL DE MINIMIS INDIRECT COST RATE Accounting Policies: The City uses the modified accrual basis of accounting for governmental funds and the accrual basis of accounting for proprietary funds. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City has not elected to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The City has not elected to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance.
Title: Note 3 – CONDITIONAL LOAN – PROGRAM INCOME Accounting Policies: The City uses the modified accrual basis of accounting for governmental funds and the accrual basis of accounting for proprietary funds. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City has not elected to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The City of Renton has a Façade Improvement Loan Program. Conditional loans in the amount of $481,022 have been provided to Developers that will be forgiven following a five (5)-year period, beginning with the recordation of a deed of trust but subject to certain provisions. The source of loan funds is the City of Renton Community Development Block Grant. The total amount of loan funds disbursed to program participant(s) to date is $481,022 and is presented in this schedule.
Title: Note 4 – PROGRAM COSTS Accounting Policies: The City uses the modified accrual basis of accounting for governmental funds and the accrual basis of accounting for proprietary funds. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City has not elected to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The amounts shown as current year expenditures represent only the federal grant portion of the program costs. Entire program costs, including the City’s portion, are more than shown. Such expenditures are recognized following, as applicable, either the cost principles in the OMB Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments, or the cost principles contained in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement.

Finding Details

City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
City of Renton January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 2022-001 The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 Highway Planning andConstruction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: STPUL-1615(005) and HIPULSTP-9917(037) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2022, the City spent $3,658,423 in federal grant funds awarded by the Federal Highway Administration and passed through by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This program gives funding to help state and local government agencies plan and develop an integrated, interconnected transportation system. The City used program funding on seven projects during fiscal year 2022. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls to ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding grant requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Our audit found the City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with the following federal requirements. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own written procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318-327. The procedures must conform to federal procurement thresholds and procedures to ensure recipients follow the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods when using federal funds. Although the City implemented a procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring personal services. Additionally, the City’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring its compliance with federal procurement requirements for personal services. Suspension and debarment Federal regulations prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the City contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify that contractors are not been suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The City may accomplish this verification by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The City must perform this verification before entering into the contract, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. The City’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring staff verified the suspension and debarment status for all covered transactions. Specifically, the City was unable to provide documentation demonstrating one personal services contractor was not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into the agreement. We consider these control deficiencies to be material weaknesses. Cause of Condition Procurement City staff did not know the federal requirement for procuring personal services was more restrictive than local and state requirements. Further, staff mistakenly thought that legal services were not subject to federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment City staff were aware of the requirement, but they could not locate documentation to show that one contractor’s suspension and debarment status was verified. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the City is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2021, the City awarded two personal services contracts for legal services, totaling $365,000, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the City cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price, and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The City was unable to demonstrate it had obtained a written certification, inserted a clause into the agreement, or maintained support of checking SAM.gov to verify one contractor it paid $268,846 in 2022 was not suspended or debarred. Without verification, the City increases it risk of awarding federal funds to contractors that are excluded from participating in federal programs. Any program funds the City made to an ineligible party would be unallowable, and the federal grantor could potentially recover them. The City subsequently verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred, so we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the City establish internal controls to ensure it meets federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements by: • Updating its written policies and procedures to conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) • Procuring goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law, and its own procurement policies and procedures • Verifying that all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred before entering into contracts with them or charging costs to a federal award, and maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this requirement City’s Response Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the City’s commitment to resolving the finding, and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during the next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by non-federal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.