Audit 318120

Material Instance of Non-Compliance and Significant Deficiency Written Procurement Policy This finding impacts the procurement and suspension and debarment compliance requirement for the major program, Assistance Listing Number 10.555, Child Nutrition Cluster, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and passed through by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Criteria: The School must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. The School also must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR part 200. Condition: During our compliance testing, we reviewed the School's procurement policy against Uniform Guidance standards. The policy did not meet all of the considerations that are required through Uniform Guidance, Federal and state regulations. The School followed their procurement policy during fiscal year 2022, but should update this policy in accordance with these regulations. Cause: The School’s existing procurement policy did not document all of the elements required by the Uniform Guidance. Effect: Non-compliance with the Uniform Guidance, potentially resulting in an increase in questioned costs. Was the finding a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year?: No Recommendation: AAFCPAs recommends that management revise their policy to comply with current standards under the Uniform Guidance. Management Response: During the audit, it was recognized that the School did not have an updated procurement policy to comply with the current standards under the Uniform Guidance. This is the first year that the School received funds that exceeded the Uniform Guidance threshold and was not aware that there was a difference between Federal policy and state policy that we operated under. During the audit, it was recognized that the School had obtained appropriate bids and performed an adequate and documented comparison of qualifications amongst vendors before selecting the current vendor. These practices, which are outlined in the Uniform Guidance Standard, although followed, are not accurately reflected in our current procurement policy. This policy will be updated during fiscal year 2023.

Material Instance of Non-Compliance and Significant Deficiency Written Procurement Policy This finding impacts the procurement and suspension and debarment compliance requirement for the major program, Assistance Listing Number 10.555, Child Nutrition Cluster, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and passed through by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Criteria: The School must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. The School also must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR part 200. Condition: During our compliance testing, we reviewed the School's procurement policy against Uniform Guidance standards. The policy did not meet all of the considerations that are required through Uniform Guidance, Federal and state regulations. The School followed their procurement policy during fiscal year 2022, but should update this policy in accordance with these regulations. Cause: The School’s existing procurement policy did not document all of the elements required by the Uniform Guidance. Effect: Non-compliance with the Uniform Guidance, potentially resulting in an increase in questioned costs. Was the finding a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year?: No Recommendation: AAFCPAs recommends that management revise their policy to comply with current standards under the Uniform Guidance. Management Response: During the audit, it was recognized that the School did not have an updated procurement policy to comply with the current standards under the Uniform Guidance. This is the first year that the School received funds that exceeded the Uniform Guidance threshold and was not aware that there was a difference between Federal policy and state policy that we operated under. During the audit, it was recognized that the School had obtained appropriate bids and performed an adequate and documented comparison of qualifications amongst vendors before selecting the current vendor. These practices, which are outlined in the Uniform Guidance Standard, although followed, are not accurately reflected in our current procurement policy. This policy will be updated during fiscal year 2023.