FINDING 2023-001
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies - Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principle compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: $48.
Context: During testing of 40 payroll transactions for allowability, we noted 3 instances where the amount paid to the same employee did not agree to the employee’s approved contract amount. The amount charged to the grant for each payroll period was $16 more than what the same employee’s contract stated.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommend that the School Corporation establish a documented, primary review of all time cards and payroll registers to ensure amounts charged to the grants agree to the approved contracts and rate schedules.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2023-001
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies - Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principle compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: $48.
Context: During testing of 40 payroll transactions for allowability, we noted 3 instances where the amount paid to the same employee did not agree to the employee’s approved contract amount. The amount charged to the grant for each payroll period was $16 more than what the same employee’s contract stated.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommend that the School Corporation establish a documented, primary review of all time cards and payroll registers to ensure amounts charged to the grants agree to the approved contracts and rate schedules.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-002
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Material Noncompliance, Qualified Opinion
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
29 CFR 5.5 states in part:
a.The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in §5.1, the following clauses…
(1) Minimum wages.
(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the
Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics… FINDING 2023-002 (Continued)
(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract,
but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency).
2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:
In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . .
(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week.. . .”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation did not obtain the weekly payroll reports certifications from a construction company that was improving the building. Therefore, no review was performed to ensure that pay rates complied with the federal wage rate requirements. Additionally, the School Corporation did not have a contract with the company that included clauses for the federal wage rate requirements. The sample item cost paid in the audit period was $5,847,449 for energy conservation improvements.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation implement a formal process to ensure the required weekly payroll reports certifications are collected and reviewed to ensure compliance with the wage rate requirements. FINDING 2023-002 (Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-002
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Material Noncompliance, Qualified Opinion
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
29 CFR 5.5 states in part:
a.The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in §5.1, the following clauses…
(1) Minimum wages.
(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the
Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics… FINDING 2023-002 (Continued)
(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract,
but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency).
2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:
In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . .
(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week.. . .”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation did not obtain the weekly payroll reports certifications from a construction company that was improving the building. Therefore, no review was performed to ensure that pay rates complied with the federal wage rate requirements. Additionally, the School Corporation did not have a contract with the company that included clauses for the federal wage rate requirements. The sample item cost paid in the audit period was $5,847,449 for energy conservation improvements.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation implement a formal process to ensure the required weekly payroll reports certifications are collected and reviewed to ensure compliance with the wage rate requirements. FINDING 2023-002 (Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2023-003
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property.
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: For the 2 equipment purchases sampled, the School Corporation did not add the equipment purchases to the capital asset listing.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. FINDING 2023-003 (Continued)
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation ensure proper inclusion of all purchased equipment within the School Corporation’s capital asset ledger.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2023-003
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property.
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: For the 2 equipment purchases sampled, the School Corporation did not add the equipment purchases to the capital asset listing.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. FINDING 2023-003 (Continued)
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation ensure proper inclusion of all purchased equipment within the School Corporation’s capital asset ledger.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2023-001
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies - Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principle compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: $48.
Context: During testing of 40 payroll transactions for allowability, we noted 3 instances where the amount paid to the same employee did not agree to the employee’s approved contract amount. The amount charged to the grant for each payroll period was $16 more than what the same employee’s contract stated.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommend that the School Corporation establish a documented, primary review of all time cards and payroll registers to ensure amounts charged to the grants agree to the approved contracts and rate schedules.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2023-001
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies - Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture
Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies
Assistance Listing Number: 84.010A
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S010210014, S010A220014
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principle compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure
compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: $48.
Context: During testing of 40 payroll transactions for allowability, we noted 3 instances where the amount paid to the same employee did not agree to the employee’s approved contract amount. The amount charged to the grant for each payroll period was $16 more than what the same employee’s contract stated.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No.
Recommendation: We recommend that the School Corporation establish a documented, primary review of all time cards and payroll registers to ensure amounts charged to the grants agree to the approved contracts and rate schedules.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-002
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Material Noncompliance, Qualified Opinion
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
29 CFR 5.5 states in part:
a.The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in §5.1, the following clauses…
(1) Minimum wages.
(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the
Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics… FINDING 2023-002 (Continued)
(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract,
but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency).
2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:
In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . .
(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week.. . .”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation did not obtain the weekly payroll reports certifications from a construction company that was improving the building. Therefore, no review was performed to ensure that pay rates complied with the federal wage rate requirements. Additionally, the School Corporation did not have a contract with the company that included clauses for the federal wage rate requirements. The sample item cost paid in the audit period was $5,847,449 for energy conservation improvements.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation implement a formal process to ensure the required weekly payroll reports certifications are collected and reviewed to ensure compliance with the wage rate requirements. FINDING 2023-002 (Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-002
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund – Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements
Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Material Noncompliance, Qualified Opinion
Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.303 states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."
29 CFR 5.5 states in part:
a.The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in any contract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or work financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to make a loan, grant or annual contribution (except where a different meaning is expressly indicated), and which is subject to the labor standards provisions of any of the acts listed in §5.1, the following clauses…
(1) Minimum wages.
(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (or under the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in the construction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not less often than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account (except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by the
Secretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wages and bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of payment computed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of the Secretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of any contractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and such laborers and mechanics… FINDING 2023-002 (Continued)
(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract work is performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federal agency) if the agency is a party to the contract,
but if the agency is not such a party, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, as the case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency).
2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:
In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. . . .
(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week.. . .”
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: The School Corporation did not obtain the weekly payroll reports certifications from a construction company that was improving the building. Therefore, no review was performed to ensure that pay rates complied with the federal wage rate requirements. Additionally, the School Corporation did not have a contract with the company that included clauses for the federal wage rate requirements. The sample item cost paid in the audit period was $5,847,449 for energy conservation improvements.
Identification as a repeat finding: No.
Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation implement a formal process to ensure the required weekly payroll reports certifications are collected and reviewed to ensure compliance with the wage rate requirements. FINDING 2023-002 (Continued)
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2023-003
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property.
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: For the 2 equipment purchases sampled, the School Corporation did not add the equipment purchases to the capital asset listing.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. FINDING 2023-003 (Continued)
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation ensure proper inclusion of all purchased equipment within the School Corporation’s capital asset ledger.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
FINDING 2023-003
Information on the federal program:
Subject: Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) – Internal Controls
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program: COVID-19 – Education Stabilization Fund
Assistance Listing Number: 84.425D
Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013
Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education
Compliance Requirement: Equipment
Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency
Criteria: 2 CFR 200.313(d) states in part:
"The non-Federal entity must:
(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property.
Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment compliance requirements.
Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with the compliance requirements listed above.
Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs.
Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified.
Context: For the 2 equipment purchases sampled, the School Corporation did not add the equipment purchases to the capital asset listing.
Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. FINDING 2023-003 (Continued)
Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation ensure proper inclusion of all purchased equipment within the School Corporation’s capital asset ledger.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.