FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-006Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - EligibilityFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listings Number: 84.010Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY18, FY19, FY20, FY21Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: EligibilityAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Eligibility for Title I funding for the School Corporation was determined through the Textbook RentalApplication process. During the audit period, one employee entered the determinations in the SchoolDistrict's software system by uploading Direct Certification reports from the state or manually enteringTextbook Rental Assistance Applications into the software system. There was not a documented oversightor review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The Non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS26BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-007Subject: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies - EarmarkingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listings Number: 84.010Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY19, FY 20Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, EarmarkingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarkingcompliance requirement.Officials of the School Corporation did not properly monitor the Homeless set-aside to ensureamounts were tracked for those students designated as homeless. For the Title I grant years FY19 andFY20, the entire Homeless set-aside of $1,632 and $550, respectively, was not spent. In addition, the setasideswere not carried forward for subsequent year expenses.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS27BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The Non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.400 states in part:"(a) The non-Federal entity is responsible for the efficient and effective administration of theFederal award through the application of sound management practices.(b) The non-Federal entity assumes responsibility for administering Federal funds in a mannerconsistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions ofthe Federal award. . . ."20 USC 6313(c)(3) states in part:"(A) In General. A local educational agency shall reserve such funds as are necessary underthis part, determined in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C), to provide servicescomparable to those provided to children in schools funded under this part to serve?(i) homeless children and youths, including providing educationally related supportservices to children in shelters and other locations where children may live;(ii) children in local institutions for neglected children; and(iii) if appropriate, children in local institutions for delinquent children, and neglected ordelinquent children in community day programs. . . .(C) Homeless children and youths. Funds reserved under subparagraph (A)(i) may be? . . .(ii) used to provide homeless children and youths with services not ordinarily provided toother students under this part, including providing?(I) funding for the liaison designated pursuant to section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of title 42;and(II) transportation pursuant to section 11432(g)(1)(J)(iii) of such title."CauseManagement had not established an effective system of internal controls that would have ensuredcompliance with the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS28BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls related tothe grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-006Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - EligibilityFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listings Number: 84.010Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY18, FY19, FY20, FY21Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: EligibilityAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Eligibility for Title I funding for the School Corporation was determined through the Textbook RentalApplication process. During the audit period, one employee entered the determinations in the SchoolDistrict's software system by uploading Direct Certification reports from the state or manually enteringTextbook Rental Assistance Applications into the software system. There was not a documented oversightor review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The Non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS26BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-007Subject: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies - EarmarkingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listings Number: 84.010Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY19, FY 20Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, EarmarkingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarkingcompliance requirement.Officials of the School Corporation did not properly monitor the Homeless set-aside to ensureamounts were tracked for those students designated as homeless. For the Title I grant years FY19 andFY20, the entire Homeless set-aside of $1,632 and $550, respectively, was not spent. In addition, the setasideswere not carried forward for subsequent year expenses.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS27BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The Non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.400 states in part:"(a) The non-Federal entity is responsible for the efficient and effective administration of theFederal award through the application of sound management practices.(b) The non-Federal entity assumes responsibility for administering Federal funds in a mannerconsistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions ofthe Federal award. . . ."20 USC 6313(c)(3) states in part:"(A) In General. A local educational agency shall reserve such funds as are necessary underthis part, determined in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C), to provide servicescomparable to those provided to children in schools funded under this part to serve?(i) homeless children and youths, including providing educationally related supportservices to children in shelters and other locations where children may live;(ii) children in local institutions for neglected children; and(iii) if appropriate, children in local institutions for delinquent children, and neglected ordelinquent children in community day programs. . . .(C) Homeless children and youths. Funds reserved under subparagraph (A)(i) may be? . . .(ii) used to provide homeless children and youths with services not ordinarily provided toother students under this part, including providing?(I) funding for the liaison designated pursuant to section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of title 42;and(II) transportation pursuant to section 11432(g)(1)(J)(iii) of such title."CauseManagement had not established an effective system of internal controls that would have ensuredcompliance with the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS28BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls related tothe grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-008Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - SpecialTests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporationto ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests andProvisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wagesnot less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department ofLabor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their constructioncontracts, subject to the Wage Rate Requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor complywith these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy ofthe payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed.The School Corporation was not aware of the Wage Rate Requirements when it entered intoagreements with two contractors providing services on HVAC projects. The necessary provision wasincluded in both of the contracts; however, a copy of the certified payrolls was not provided to the SchoolCorporation on a weekly basis as work was performed. The School Corporation received certified payrollswhen the contractors sent them an invoice for payment.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS29BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."29 FR 5.5 states in part:"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in anycontract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/orrepair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or workfinanced in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federalagency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to makea 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, thefollowing clauses . . .(1) Minimum wages -(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (orunder the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in theconstruction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not lessoften than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by theSecretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wagesand bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of paymentcomputed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of theSecretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of anycontractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and suchlaborers and mechanics . . .(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract workis performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federalagency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such aparty, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, asthe case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS30BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; allcontracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisionscovering the following, as applicable. . . .(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C 3141-3148). When required by Federalprogram legislations, 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 Laborregulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts CoveringFederally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statue, contractsmust be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate note less than theprevailing wages specified in wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. Inaddition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would haveensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage RateRequirements compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective system of internal controls enabled noncomplianceto go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - WageRate Requirement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols, as well as appropriately and timely document adherence to required requirements to ensurecompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirementcompliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-010Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionINDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS33BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.The School Corporation completed and submitted four annual Data Collection reports (Reports) forthe Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants. For three of the four Reportstested, the Reports were not supported by the unit's records. The financial information provided did notagree to the data submitted in the Reports; therefore, we could not determine the accuracy of the Reports.Additionally, seven of seven key line items selected for testing could not be traced to supporting documentation.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:. . .(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federalaward or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ."34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and formatthat assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out otherresponsibilities under the program."2 CFR 200.334 states in part:"Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entityrecords pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the dateof submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterlyor annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report,respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case ofa subrecipient. . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS34BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance withprogram requirements."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected with the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish effective internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS35
FINDING 2022-008Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - SpecialTests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporationto ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests andProvisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wagesnot less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department ofLabor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their constructioncontracts, subject to the Wage Rate Requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor complywith these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy ofthe payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed.The School Corporation was not aware of the Wage Rate Requirements when it entered intoagreements with two contractors providing services on HVAC projects. The necessary provision wasincluded in both of the contracts; however, a copy of the certified payrolls was not provided to the SchoolCorporation on a weekly basis as work was performed. The School Corporation received certified payrollswhen the contractors sent them an invoice for payment.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS29BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."29 FR 5.5 states in part:"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in anycontract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/orrepair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or workfinanced in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federalagency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to makea 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, thefollowing clauses . . .(1) Minimum wages -(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (orunder the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in theconstruction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not lessoften than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by theSecretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wagesand bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of paymentcomputed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of theSecretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of anycontractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and suchlaborers and mechanics . . .(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract workis performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federalagency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such aparty, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, asthe case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS30BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; allcontracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisionscovering the following, as applicable. . . .(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C 3141-3148). When required by Federalprogram legislations, 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 Laborregulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts CoveringFederally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statue, contractsmust be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate note less than theprevailing wages specified in wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. Inaddition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would haveensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage RateRequirements compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective system of internal controls enabled noncomplianceto go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - WageRate Requirement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols, as well as appropriately and timely document adherence to required requirements to ensurecompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirementcompliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-008Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - SpecialTests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporationto ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests andProvisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wagesnot less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department ofLabor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their constructioncontracts, subject to the Wage Rate Requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor complywith these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy ofthe payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed.The School Corporation was not aware of the Wage Rate Requirements when it entered intoagreements with two contractors providing services on HVAC projects. The necessary provision wasincluded in both of the contracts; however, a copy of the certified payrolls was not provided to the SchoolCorporation on a weekly basis as work was performed. The School Corporation received certified payrollswhen the contractors sent them an invoice for payment.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS29BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."29 FR 5.5 states in part:"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in anycontract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/orrepair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or workfinanced in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federalagency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to makea 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, thefollowing clauses . . .(1) Minimum wages -(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (orunder the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in theconstruction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not lessoften than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by theSecretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wagesand bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of paymentcomputed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of theSecretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of anycontractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and suchlaborers and mechanics . . .(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract workis performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federalagency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such aparty, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, asthe case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS30BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; allcontracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisionscovering the following, as applicable. . . .(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C 3141-3148). When required by Federalprogram legislations, 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 Laborregulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts CoveringFederally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statue, contractsmust be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate note less than theprevailing wages specified in wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. Inaddition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would haveensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage RateRequirements compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective system of internal controls enabled noncomplianceto go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - WageRate Requirement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols, as well as appropriately and timely document adherence to required requirements to ensurecompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirementcompliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-009Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property ManagementFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Number: 84.425DFederal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property ManagementAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed properly at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real PropertyManagement compliance requirement.A property record or capital asset listing, which would include a description of the property, a serialnumber or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the federal awardidentification number (FAIN)), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage offederal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, thelocation, and use and condition of the property, is to be maintained for assets purchased that exceed theSchool Corporation's capitalization threshold.The School Corporation does not have a current capital asset listing that includes new equipmentor real property that was purchased during the audit period. The capital asset listing is only updated everytwo years when the physical inventory takes place. An asset purchased during the audit period in theamount of $72,221, from the ESSER II award, was not included in the School Corporation's capital assetlisting or a property record.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS32BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.313(d)(1) states:"Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial numberor other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), whoholds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in theproject costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, useand condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposaland sales price of the property."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real PropertyManagement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real PropertyManagement compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-010Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionINDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS33BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.The School Corporation completed and submitted four annual Data Collection reports (Reports) forthe Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants. For three of the four Reportstested, the Reports were not supported by the unit's records. The financial information provided did notagree to the data submitted in the Reports; therefore, we could not determine the accuracy of the Reports.Additionally, seven of seven key line items selected for testing could not be traced to supporting documentation.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:. . .(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federalaward or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ."34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and formatthat assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out otherresponsibilities under the program."2 CFR 200.334 states in part:"Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entityrecords pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the dateof submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterlyor annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report,respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case ofa subrecipient. . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS34BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance withprogram requirements."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected with the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish effective internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS35
FINDING 2022-010Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionINDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS33BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.The School Corporation completed and submitted four annual Data Collection reports (Reports) forthe Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants. For three of the four Reportstested, the Reports were not supported by the unit's records. The financial information provided did notagree to the data submitted in the Reports; therefore, we could not determine the accuracy of the Reports.Additionally, seven of seven key line items selected for testing could not be traced to supporting documentation.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:. . .(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federalaward or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ."34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and formatthat assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out otherresponsibilities under the program."2 CFR 200.334 states in part:"Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entityrecords pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the dateof submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterlyor annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report,respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case ofa subrecipient. . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS34BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance withprogram requirements."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected with the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish effective internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS35
FINDING 2022-008Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - SpecialTests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporationto ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests andProvisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wagesnot less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department ofLabor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their constructioncontracts, subject to the Wage Rate Requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor complywith these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy ofthe payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed.The School Corporation was not aware of the Wage Rate Requirements when it entered intoagreements with two contractors providing services on HVAC projects. The necessary provision wasincluded in both of the contracts; however, a copy of the certified payrolls was not provided to the SchoolCorporation on a weekly basis as work was performed. The School Corporation received certified payrollswhen the contractors sent them an invoice for payment.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS29BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."29 FR 5.5 states in part:"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in anycontract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/orrepair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or workfinanced in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federalagency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to makea 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, thefollowing clauses . . .(1) Minimum wages -(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (orunder the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in theconstruction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not lessoften than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by theSecretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wagesand bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of paymentcomputed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of theSecretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of anycontractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and suchlaborers and mechanics . . .(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract workis performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federalagency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such aparty, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, asthe case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS30BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; allcontracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisionscovering the following, as applicable. . . .(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C 3141-3148). When required by Federalprogram legislations, 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 Laborregulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts CoveringFederally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statue, contractsmust be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate note less than theprevailing wages specified in wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. Inaddition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would haveensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage RateRequirements compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective system of internal controls enabled noncomplianceto go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - WageRate Requirement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols, as well as appropriately and timely document adherence to required requirements to ensurecompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirementcompliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-010Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionINDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS33BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.The School Corporation completed and submitted four annual Data Collection reports (Reports) forthe Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants. For three of the four Reportstested, the Reports were not supported by the unit's records. The financial information provided did notagree to the data submitted in the Reports; therefore, we could not determine the accuracy of the Reports.Additionally, seven of seven key line items selected for testing could not be traced to supporting documentation.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:. . .(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federalaward or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ."34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and formatthat assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out otherresponsibilities under the program."2 CFR 200.334 states in part:"Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entityrecords pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the dateof submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterlyor annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report,respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case ofa subrecipient. . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS34BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance withprogram requirements."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected with the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish effective internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS35
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-003Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - NationalSchool Lunch Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.The School Corporation was approved for an indirect cost rate for fiscal years 2018-2019 and2019-2020 in order to allocate indirect costs to the School Corporation's Cafeteria fund. However, theSchool Corporation did not charge these indirect costs within the appropriate time frame. Indirect costs for2018-2019 and 2019-2020 in the amount of $15,717 and $17,456, respectively, were not charged to theCafeteria fund until March 2021. Per USDA guidance, it is unallowable to bill the National School FoodService Account (NSFSA) for indirect costs that were paid from the general fund in prior years unless anagreement exists to show that the district had been "loaning" the NSFSA funds to cover the indirect costsin one or more prior years. The School Corporation did not have an inter-fund loan agreement in place.As such the amounts were considered questioned costs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to the indirect costs noted above.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS20BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."USDA Indirect Costs, Guidance for State Agencies & School Food Authorities states in part:" . . . It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were paid form the general fundin prior years unless an agreement exists to sow that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSAfunds to cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . . There is no Federal requirementthat prohibits an SFA from charging its internal fiscal policy regarding the recovery of indirectcosts by those organizational units within the SFA that actually incur costs. Absent adocumented 'inter-fund loan' as outlined above, however, an SFA may only change its policyto charge the NSFSA for indirect costs prospectively (that is going forward for the next schoolyear.)It is unallowable to bill the NSFSA for indirect costs that were previously paid from the generalfund unless an agreement exists to show that the district had been 'loaning' the NSFSA fundsto cover the indirect costs in one or more prior years. . . ."2 CFR 200.403 states in part:"Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteriain order to be allowable under Federal awards:(a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and beallocable thereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federalaward as to types or amount of cost items. . . .(g) Be adequately documented. . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS21BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsKnown questioned costs of $33,173 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliancerequirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food ServiceProgram for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.Monthly Sponsor Claims for Reimbursement (Claims) were submitted to the Indiana Departmentof Education (IDOE) based upon meals served for the month. The Claims were prepared by the FoodService Manager without an oversight or review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS22BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: Department of AgricultureFederal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National SchoolLunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer FoodService Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for ChildrenAssistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY21, FY22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and DebarmentAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersRepeat FindingThis is a repeat finding for suspension and debarment from the immediately prior report. The prioraudit finding number was 2020-004.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS23BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement forproperty or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000.However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchaseprocedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. Theinformal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for thosepurchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchasethreshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awardedwithout soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price orrate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources.The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for six vendors tested that were lessthan the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold.The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentationthat the threshold had been increased.The School Corporation engaged with an Education Service Center that was not an approvedSchool Food Authority (SFA) cooperative. Since the Education Service Center failed to meet therequirements to be an approved SFA cooperative, the obligation reverted to the School Corporation. TheSchool Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for purchases of milk, exceeding $10,000 from anadequate number of sources, which fell under the small purchase procedures. In addition, the SchoolCorporation did not verify the milk vendor with a contract over $25,000 was not excluded or disqualifiedfrom participation in federal award programs.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.318(i) states:"The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement.These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for themethod of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and thebasis for the contract price."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS24BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states:"Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relativelysimple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other propertythat do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualifiedsources."2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part:"The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent withthe standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the followingmethods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under aFederal award or sub-award.(a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property orservices under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold(SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity,formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informalprocurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize theassociated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurementof property or services at or below the SAT include: . . .(2) Small purchases ?(i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, theaggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold butdoes not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase proceduresare used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number ofqualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ."Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states:"(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be:(1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and(2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . ."CauseManagement had not established a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarmentcompliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS25BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension andDebarment compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-006Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - EligibilityFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listings Number: 84.010Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY18, FY19, FY20, FY21Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: EligibilityAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Eligibility for Title I funding for the School Corporation was determined through the Textbook RentalApplication process. During the audit period, one employee entered the determinations in the SchoolDistrict's software system by uploading Direct Certification reports from the state or manually enteringTextbook Rental Assistance Applications into the software system. There was not a documented oversightor review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The Non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS26BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-007Subject: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies - EarmarkingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listings Number: 84.010Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY19, FY 20Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, EarmarkingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarkingcompliance requirement.Officials of the School Corporation did not properly monitor the Homeless set-aside to ensureamounts were tracked for those students designated as homeless. For the Title I grant years FY19 andFY20, the entire Homeless set-aside of $1,632 and $550, respectively, was not spent. In addition, the setasideswere not carried forward for subsequent year expenses.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS27BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The Non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.400 states in part:"(a) The non-Federal entity is responsible for the efficient and effective administration of theFederal award through the application of sound management practices.(b) The non-Federal entity assumes responsibility for administering Federal funds in a mannerconsistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions ofthe Federal award. . . ."20 USC 6313(c)(3) states in part:"(A) In General. A local educational agency shall reserve such funds as are necessary underthis part, determined in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C), to provide servicescomparable to those provided to children in schools funded under this part to serve?(i) homeless children and youths, including providing educationally related supportservices to children in shelters and other locations where children may live;(ii) children in local institutions for neglected children; and(iii) if appropriate, children in local institutions for delinquent children, and neglected ordelinquent children in community day programs. . . .(C) Homeless children and youths. Funds reserved under subparagraph (A)(i) may be? . . .(ii) used to provide homeless children and youths with services not ordinarily provided toother students under this part, including providing?(I) funding for the liaison designated pursuant to section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of title 42;and(II) transportation pursuant to section 11432(g)(1)(J)(iii) of such title."CauseManagement had not established an effective system of internal controls that would have ensuredcompliance with the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS28BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls related tothe grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-006Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - EligibilityFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listings Number: 84.010Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY18, FY19, FY20, FY21Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: EligibilityAudit Finding: Material WeaknessCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Eligibility for Title I funding for the School Corporation was determined through the Textbook RentalApplication process. During the audit period, one employee entered the determinations in the SchoolDistrict's software system by uploading Direct Certification reports from the state or manually enteringTextbook Rental Assistance Applications into the software system. There was not a documented oversightor review process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors.The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The Non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS26BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)CauseManagement had not designed or implemented an effective system of internal controls that wouldhave ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls placed the School Corporation atrisk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controlsto ensure compliance with the grant agreement and the Eligibility compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-007Subject: Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies - EarmarkingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational AgenciesAssistance Listings Number: 84.010Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY19, FY 20Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Effort, EarmarkingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliancewith requirements related to the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarkingcompliance requirement.Officials of the School Corporation did not properly monitor the Homeless set-aside to ensureamounts were tracked for those students designated as homeless. For the Title I grant years FY19 andFY20, the entire Homeless set-aside of $1,632 and $550, respectively, was not spent. In addition, the setasideswere not carried forward for subsequent year expenses.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS27BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The Non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.400 states in part:"(a) The non-Federal entity is responsible for the efficient and effective administration of theFederal award through the application of sound management practices.(b) The non-Federal entity assumes responsibility for administering Federal funds in a mannerconsistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions ofthe Federal award. . . ."20 USC 6313(c)(3) states in part:"(A) In General. A local educational agency shall reserve such funds as are necessary underthis part, determined in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C), to provide servicescomparable to those provided to children in schools funded under this part to serve?(i) homeless children and youths, including providing educationally related supportservices to children in shelters and other locations where children may live;(ii) children in local institutions for neglected children; and(iii) if appropriate, children in local institutions for delinquent children, and neglected ordelinquent children in community day programs. . . .(C) Homeless children and youths. Funds reserved under subparagraph (A)(i) may be? . . .(ii) used to provide homeless children and youths with services not ordinarily provided toother students under this part, including providing?(I) funding for the liaison designated pursuant to section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of title 42;and(II) transportation pursuant to section 11432(g)(1)(J)(iii) of such title."CauseManagement had not established an effective system of internal controls that would have ensuredcompliance with the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS28BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)EffectThe failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled noncompliance to go undetected.Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliancerequirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls related tothe grant agreement and the Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-008Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - SpecialTests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporationto ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests andProvisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wagesnot less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department ofLabor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their constructioncontracts, subject to the Wage Rate Requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor complywith these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy ofthe payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed.The School Corporation was not aware of the Wage Rate Requirements when it entered intoagreements with two contractors providing services on HVAC projects. The necessary provision wasincluded in both of the contracts; however, a copy of the certified payrolls was not provided to the SchoolCorporation on a weekly basis as work was performed. The School Corporation received certified payrollswhen the contractors sent them an invoice for payment.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS29BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."29 FR 5.5 states in part:"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in anycontract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/orrepair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or workfinanced in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federalagency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to makea 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, thefollowing clauses . . .(1) Minimum wages -(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (orunder the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in theconstruction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not lessoften than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by theSecretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wagesand bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of paymentcomputed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of theSecretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of anycontractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and suchlaborers and mechanics . . .(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract workis performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federalagency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such aparty, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, asthe case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS30BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; allcontracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisionscovering the following, as applicable. . . .(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C 3141-3148). When required by Federalprogram legislations, 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 Laborregulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts CoveringFederally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statue, contractsmust be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate note less than theprevailing wages specified in wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. Inaddition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would haveensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage RateRequirements compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective system of internal controls enabled noncomplianceto go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - WageRate Requirement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols, as well as appropriately and timely document adherence to required requirements to ensurecompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirementcompliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-010Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionINDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS33BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.The School Corporation completed and submitted four annual Data Collection reports (Reports) forthe Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants. For three of the four Reportstested, the Reports were not supported by the unit's records. The financial information provided did notagree to the data submitted in the Reports; therefore, we could not determine the accuracy of the Reports.Additionally, seven of seven key line items selected for testing could not be traced to supporting documentation.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:. . .(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federalaward or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ."34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and formatthat assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out otherresponsibilities under the program."2 CFR 200.334 states in part:"Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entityrecords pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the dateof submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterlyor annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report,respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case ofa subrecipient. . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS34BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance withprogram requirements."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected with the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish effective internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS35
FINDING 2022-008Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - SpecialTests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporationto ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests andProvisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wagesnot less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department ofLabor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their constructioncontracts, subject to the Wage Rate Requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor complywith these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy ofthe payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed.The School Corporation was not aware of the Wage Rate Requirements when it entered intoagreements with two contractors providing services on HVAC projects. The necessary provision wasincluded in both of the contracts; however, a copy of the certified payrolls was not provided to the SchoolCorporation on a weekly basis as work was performed. The School Corporation received certified payrollswhen the contractors sent them an invoice for payment.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS29BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."29 FR 5.5 states in part:"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in anycontract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/orrepair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or workfinanced in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federalagency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to makea 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, thefollowing clauses . . .(1) Minimum wages -(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (orunder the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in theconstruction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not lessoften than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by theSecretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wagesand bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of paymentcomputed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of theSecretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of anycontractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and suchlaborers and mechanics . . .(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract workis performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federalagency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such aparty, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, asthe case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS30BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; allcontracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisionscovering the following, as applicable. . . .(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C 3141-3148). When required by Federalprogram legislations, 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 Laborregulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts CoveringFederally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statue, contractsmust be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate note less than theprevailing wages specified in wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. Inaddition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would haveensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage RateRequirements compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective system of internal controls enabled noncomplianceto go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - WageRate Requirement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols, as well as appropriately and timely document adherence to required requirements to ensurecompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirementcompliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-008Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - SpecialTests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporationto ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests andProvisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wagesnot less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department ofLabor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their constructioncontracts, subject to the Wage Rate Requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor complywith these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy ofthe payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed.The School Corporation was not aware of the Wage Rate Requirements when it entered intoagreements with two contractors providing services on HVAC projects. The necessary provision wasincluded in both of the contracts; however, a copy of the certified payrolls was not provided to the SchoolCorporation on a weekly basis as work was performed. The School Corporation received certified payrollswhen the contractors sent them an invoice for payment.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS29BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."29 FR 5.5 states in part:"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in anycontract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/orrepair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or workfinanced in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federalagency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to makea 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, thefollowing clauses . . .(1) Minimum wages -(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (orunder the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in theconstruction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not lessoften than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by theSecretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wagesand bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of paymentcomputed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of theSecretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of anycontractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and suchlaborers and mechanics . . .(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract workis performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federalagency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such aparty, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, asthe case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS30BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; allcontracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisionscovering the following, as applicable. . . .(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C 3141-3148). When required by Federalprogram legislations, 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 Laborregulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts CoveringFederally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statue, contractsmust be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate note less than theprevailing wages specified in wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. Inaddition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would haveensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage RateRequirements compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective system of internal controls enabled noncomplianceto go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - WageRate Requirement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols, as well as appropriately and timely document adherence to required requirements to ensurecompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirementcompliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-009Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Equipment and Real Property ManagementFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Number: 84.425DFederal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): S425D210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Equipment and Real Property ManagementAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed properly at the School Corporation to ensurecompliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real PropertyManagement compliance requirement.A property record or capital asset listing, which would include a description of the property, a serialnumber or other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the federal awardidentification number (FAIN)), who holds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage offederal participation in the project costs for the federal award under which the property was acquired, thelocation, and use and condition of the property, is to be maintained for assets purchased that exceed theSchool Corporation's capitalization threshold.The School Corporation does not have a current capital asset listing that includes new equipmentor real property that was purchased during the audit period. The capital asset listing is only updated everytwo years when the physical inventory takes place. An asset purchased during the audit period in theamount of $72,221, from the ESSER II award, was not included in the School Corporation's capital assetlisting or a property record.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS32BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200.313(d)(1) states:"Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial numberor other identification number, the source of funding for the property (including the FAIN), whoholds title, the acquisition date, cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in theproject costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, useand condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposaland sales price of the property."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Equipment and Real Property Management compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real PropertyManagement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Equipment and Real PropertyManagement compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-010Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionINDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS33BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.The School Corporation completed and submitted four annual Data Collection reports (Reports) forthe Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants. For three of the four Reportstested, the Reports were not supported by the unit's records. The financial information provided did notagree to the data submitted in the Reports; therefore, we could not determine the accuracy of the Reports.Additionally, seven of seven key line items selected for testing could not be traced to supporting documentation.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:. . .(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federalaward or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ."34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and formatthat assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out otherresponsibilities under the program."2 CFR 200.334 states in part:"Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entityrecords pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the dateof submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterlyor annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report,respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case ofa subrecipient. . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS34BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance withprogram requirements."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected with the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish effective internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS35
FINDING 2022-010Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionINDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS33BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.The School Corporation completed and submitted four annual Data Collection reports (Reports) forthe Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants. For three of the four Reportstested, the Reports were not supported by the unit's records. The financial information provided did notagree to the data submitted in the Reports; therefore, we could not determine the accuracy of the Reports.Additionally, seven of seven key line items selected for testing could not be traced to supporting documentation.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:. . .(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federalaward or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ."34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and formatthat assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out otherresponsibilities under the program."2 CFR 200.334 states in part:"Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entityrecords pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the dateof submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterlyor annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report,respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case ofa subrecipient. . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS34BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance withprogram requirements."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected with the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish effective internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS35
FINDING 2022-008Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - SpecialTests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate RequirementsAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Other MattersCondition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporationto ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Special Tests andProvisions - Wage Rate Requirements compliance requirement.Construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must pay wagesnot less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department ofLabor (DOL) to their laborers and mechanics. Nonfederal entities are to include in their constructioncontracts, subject to the Wage Rate Requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor complywith these requirements and the DOL regulations. This would include a requirement to submit a copy ofthe payroll and statement of compliance to the entity for each week in which contract work was performed.The School Corporation was not aware of the Wage Rate Requirements when it entered intoagreements with two contractors providing services on HVAC projects. The necessary provision wasincluded in both of the contracts; however, a copy of the certified payrolls was not provided to the SchoolCorporation on a weekly basis as work was performed. The School Corporation received certified payrollswhen the contractors sent them an invoice for payment.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS29BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."29 FR 5.5 states in part:"(a) The Agency head shall cause or require the contracting officer to insert in full in anycontract in excess of $2,000 which is entered into for the actual construction, alteration and/orrepair, including painting and decorating, of a public building or public work, or building or workfinanced in whole or in part from Federal funds or in accordance with guarantees of a Federalagency or financed from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal agency to makea 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, thefollowing clauses . . .(1) Minimum wages -(i) All laborers and mechanics employed or working upon the site of the work (orunder the United States Housing Act of 1937 or under the Housing Act of 1949 in theconstruction or development of the project), will be paid unconditionally and not lessoften than once a week, and without subsequent deduction or rebate on any account(except such payroll deductions as are permitted by regulations issued by theSecretary of Labor under the Copeland Act (29 CFR part 3)), the full amount of wagesand bona fide fringe benefits (or cash equivalents thereof) due at time of paymentcomputed at rates not less than those contained in the wage determination of theSecretary of Labor which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, regardless of anycontractual relationship which may be alleged to exist between the contractor and suchlaborers and mechanics . . .(3)(ii)(A) The contractor shall submit weekly for each week in which any contract workis performed a copy of all payrolls to the (write in name of appropriate federalagency) if the agency is a party to the contract, but if the agency is not such aparty, the contractor will submit the payrolls to the applicant, sponsor, or owner, asthe case may be, for transmission to the (write in name of agency). . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS30BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)2 CFR 200 Appendix II states in part:"In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity; allcontracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisionscovering the following, as applicable. . . .(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C 3141-3148). When required by Federalprogram legislations, 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 Laborregulations (29 CFR Part 5, 'Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts CoveringFederally Financed and Assisted Construction'). In accordance with the statue, contractsmust be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate note less than theprevailing wages specified in wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. Inaddition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. . . ."CauseManagement had not designed or implemented a system of internal controls that would haveensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage RateRequirements compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective system of internal controls enabled noncomplianceto go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - WageRate Requirement compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the SchoolCorporation.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internalcontrols, as well as appropriately and timely document adherence to required requirements to ensurecompliance with the grant agreement and the Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirementcompliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-010Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - ReportingFederal Agency: Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listings Numbers: 84.425D, 84.425UFederal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013,S425U210013Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: ReportingAudit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified OpinionINDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS33BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)Condition and ContextAn effective internal control system was not designed or implemented at the School Corporation toensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliancerequirement.The School Corporation completed and submitted four annual Data Collection reports (Reports) forthe Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants. For three of the four Reportstested, the Reports were not supported by the unit's records. The financial information provided did notagree to the data submitted in the Reports; therefore, we could not determine the accuracy of the Reports.Additionally, seven of seven key line items selected for testing could not be traced to supporting documentation.The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period.Criteria2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal award that providesreasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award incompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federalaward. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards forInternal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of theUnited States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part:"The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following:. . .(2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federalaward or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ."34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and formatthat assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out otherresponsibilities under the program."2 CFR 200.334 states in part:"Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entityrecords pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the dateof submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterlyor annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report,respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case ofa subrecipient. . . ."INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS34BLACKFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS(Continued)34 CFR 76.731 states: "A State and a subgrantee shall keep records to show its compliance withprogram requirements."CauseManagement had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliancewith the Reporting compliance requirement.EffectThe failure to design and implement an effective internal control system enabled noncompliance togo undetected with the Reporting compliance requirement.Questioned CostsThere were no questioned costs identified.RecommendationWe recommended that the School Corporation's management establish effective internal controlsto ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement.Views of Responsible OfficialsFor the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS35