Audit 364578

FY End
2023-06-30
Total Expended
$13.86M
Findings
18
Programs
37
Organization: City of Biddeford (ME)
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2025-08-20

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
573969 2023-008 Material Weakness Yes L
573970 2023-009 - Yes L
573971 2023-010 Significant Deficiency Yes I
573972 2023-008 Material Weakness Yes L
573973 2023-009 - Yes L
573974 2023-010 Significant Deficiency Yes I
573975 2023-008 Material Weakness Yes L
573976 2023-009 - Yes L
573977 2023-010 Significant Deficiency Yes I
1150411 2023-008 Material Weakness Yes L
1150412 2023-009 - Yes L
1150413 2023-010 Significant Deficiency Yes I
1150414 2023-008 Material Weakness Yes L
1150415 2023-009 - Yes L
1150416 2023-010 Significant Deficiency Yes I
1150417 2023-008 Material Weakness Yes L
1150418 2023-009 - Yes L
1150419 2023-010 Significant Deficiency Yes I

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
21.027 American Rescue Plan Act - Covid $5.02M Yes 3
84.425 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief #2 - Covid $1.69M Yes 0
11.300 Grants for Public Works and Economic Development $1.16M Yes 0
84.010 Title Ia, Disadvantaged $967,516 Yes 0
84.425 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief #3 - Covid $691,457 Yes 0
84.027 Local Entitlement $641,236 - 0
10.555 National School Lunch Program $628,909 - 0
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance $432,435 Yes 0
21.027 Arp Career and Technical Education - Covid $404,463 Yes 3
97.044 Assistance to Firefighters Grant - 2020 $265,474 - 0
14.218 Community Development Block Grant - Entitlement $264,285 - 0
10.553 National School Lunch Program - Breakfast Program $246,762 - 0
84.425 Learning Management Systems (lms) (arpa) - Covid $176,803 Yes 0
14.900 Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program $123,796 - 0
10.555 Food Donation Program $121,469 - 0
84.425 Governor's Emergency Education Relieve Funding (geer) - Covid $101,920 Yes 0
20.106 Airport Improvement Program $96,858 - 0
84.048 Career and Technical Education - Perkins Alignment Grant $85,476 - 0
84.002 Adult Basic Education $85,351 - 0
10.582 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program $85,263 - 0
10.559 Summer Food Service Program $80,637 - 0
84.425 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief #1 - Covid $73,207 Yes 0
10.560 State Administrative Expenses for Child Nutrition: Supply Chain Assistance $66,712 - 0
21.027 Arp Extended Learning Opportunities - Covid $62,573 Yes 3
84.010 Title Ia, Reallocation $51,582 Yes 0
16.738 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant - 2023 $41,228 - 0
84.367 Title Iia - Supporting Effective Instruction $40,061 - 0
84.365 Title III Esl $28,731 - 0
10.555 After School Program $27,764 - 0
84.027 Local Entitlement - Arp - Covid $24,771 - 0
84.173 Preschool $19,764 - 0
16.738 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant - 2021 $18,074 - 0
84.267 21st Century $17,343 - 0
84.425 Arp Homeless Children and Youth I - Covid $16,669 Yes 0
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs: Snap $3,140 - 0
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $1,299 - 0
16.034 Corona Virus Emergency Supplement - Covid $1,005 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
NAC3GQKB9G36 Gerry Matherne Auditee
2072849333 Casey Leonard Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Accounting Policies: A. Reporting Entity - The accompanying schedule includes all federal award programs of the City of Biddeford, Maine for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. The reporting entity is defined in notes to basic financial statements of the City of Biddeford, Maine. B. Basis of Presentation - The information in the accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards is presented in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. 1. Pursuant to the Uniform Guidance, federal awards are defined as assistance provided by a federal agency, either directly or indirectly, in the form of grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, loans, loan guarantees, property, interest subsidies, insurance or direct appropriations. 2. Major Programs - the Uniform Guidance establishes the level of expenditures or expenses to be used in defining major federal award programs. Major programs for the City are identified in the summary of auditor’s results in the schedule of findings and questioned costs. C. Basis of Accounting - The information presented in the schedule of expenditures of federal awards is presented on the modified accrual basis of accounting, which is consistent with the reporting in the City’s fund financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: D. Indirect Cost Rate - The City of Biddeford, Maine has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance.

Finding Details

2023-008 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Grant requires an annual Project and Expenditure Report be submitted within 30 days of the year ending March 31, 2023 to the Department of the Treasury. The Project and Expenditure Report should be supported by the City’s financial records and should contain an accurate record of grant funds obligated and expended by budgeted project. Condition: We were unable to reconcile the City’s expenditures, as reported in their accounting system, with the March 31, 2023 Project and Expenditure Report. Actual expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023 were $1,644,557 more than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cumulative expenditures were $276,606 less than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cause: We were unable to obtain the supporting documentation used by the City in their preparation of the Project and Expenditure Report to determine why there was such a large, undetected discrepancy. Inadequate grant management resources, staff turnover in the Finance Department, and inadequate review procedures have resulted in inaccurate reporting. Effect: Failure to complete reports accurately and maintain proper supporting documentation for amounts reported could skew the financial position of the program and related projects. As such, measurement of results and management decisions for future projects could be based on inaccurate information. Recommendation: We recommend the City review their grant management controls to ensure that supporting documentation for grant reporting is maintained in a shared network file, available to all relevant users, and that reports and supporting documentation are reviewed and approved by a knowledgeable grant manager prior to submission to the Department of Treasury. Subsequent reallocation of expenditures that require report corrections should be made in a timely manner in the Treasury’s reporting portal. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-009 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.510 Financial Statements, grant recipients are required to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the recipient’s financial statements. The City of Biddeford prepares their SEFA on the accrual basis of accounting. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found one expenditure totaling $140,320 that was reported in the wrong period. We also found a credit of $27,119 that was unrelated to the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) grant and improperly reduced grant expenditures. The initial SEFA overstated expenditures by $113,201 for the SLFRF grant. The client has made adjustments to the SEFA to correct the errors. Cause: Improper accounting cutoff procedures and improper transaction coding caused the initial SEFA to be incorrect. Effect: The SEFA initially overstated program expenditures by $113,201. Recommendation: We recommend regular review of Federal grant expenditure accounts by a grant manager knowledgeable of the program to ensure proper year end cutoff and proper expense and revenue coding. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-010 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 180 OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension, non-Federal entities are prohibited from contracting with parties that are suspended or debarred when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria specified in 2 CFR 180.220. The non-Federal entity must verify the contractor is not suspended or debarred by (1) checking the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusions maintained by the General Services Administration at SAM.gov, (2) collecting a certification from the entity, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the contract with that entity. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found no evidence the City verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transactions. Cause: The City did not have a procedure in place to ensure compliance with suspension and debarment requirements prior to contracting with a vendor. Effect: The vendor could have been suspended or debarred from entering into a contract funded by Federal grants. Noncompliance can result in the grantor withholding Federal funds for the program. Recommendation: We recommend management review the requirements under 2 CFR part 180 and develop procedures to add to their procurement ordinance to ensure one of the three verifications is present prior to entering into a covered transaction under a Federal grant award. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-008 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Grant requires an annual Project and Expenditure Report be submitted within 30 days of the year ending March 31, 2023 to the Department of the Treasury. The Project and Expenditure Report should be supported by the City’s financial records and should contain an accurate record of grant funds obligated and expended by budgeted project. Condition: We were unable to reconcile the City’s expenditures, as reported in their accounting system, with the March 31, 2023 Project and Expenditure Report. Actual expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023 were $1,644,557 more than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cumulative expenditures were $276,606 less than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cause: We were unable to obtain the supporting documentation used by the City in their preparation of the Project and Expenditure Report to determine why there was such a large, undetected discrepancy. Inadequate grant management resources, staff turnover in the Finance Department, and inadequate review procedures have resulted in inaccurate reporting. Effect: Failure to complete reports accurately and maintain proper supporting documentation for amounts reported could skew the financial position of the program and related projects. As such, measurement of results and management decisions for future projects could be based on inaccurate information. Recommendation: We recommend the City review their grant management controls to ensure that supporting documentation for grant reporting is maintained in a shared network file, available to all relevant users, and that reports and supporting documentation are reviewed and approved by a knowledgeable grant manager prior to submission to the Department of Treasury. Subsequent reallocation of expenditures that require report corrections should be made in a timely manner in the Treasury’s reporting portal. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-009 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.510 Financial Statements, grant recipients are required to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the recipient’s financial statements. The City of Biddeford prepares their SEFA on the accrual basis of accounting. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found one expenditure totaling $140,320 that was reported in the wrong period. We also found a credit of $27,119 that was unrelated to the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) grant and improperly reduced grant expenditures. The initial SEFA overstated expenditures by $113,201 for the SLFRF grant. The client has made adjustments to the SEFA to correct the errors. Cause: Improper accounting cutoff procedures and improper transaction coding caused the initial SEFA to be incorrect. Effect: The SEFA initially overstated program expenditures by $113,201. Recommendation: We recommend regular review of Federal grant expenditure accounts by a grant manager knowledgeable of the program to ensure proper year end cutoff and proper expense and revenue coding. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-010 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 180 OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension, non-Federal entities are prohibited from contracting with parties that are suspended or debarred when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria specified in 2 CFR 180.220. The non-Federal entity must verify the contractor is not suspended or debarred by (1) checking the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusions maintained by the General Services Administration at SAM.gov, (2) collecting a certification from the entity, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the contract with that entity. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found no evidence the City verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transactions. Cause: The City did not have a procedure in place to ensure compliance with suspension and debarment requirements prior to contracting with a vendor. Effect: The vendor could have been suspended or debarred from entering into a contract funded by Federal grants. Noncompliance can result in the grantor withholding Federal funds for the program. Recommendation: We recommend management review the requirements under 2 CFR part 180 and develop procedures to add to their procurement ordinance to ensure one of the three verifications is present prior to entering into a covered transaction under a Federal grant award. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-008 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Grant requires an annual Project and Expenditure Report be submitted within 30 days of the year ending March 31, 2023 to the Department of the Treasury. The Project and Expenditure Report should be supported by the City’s financial records and should contain an accurate record of grant funds obligated and expended by budgeted project. Condition: We were unable to reconcile the City’s expenditures, as reported in their accounting system, with the March 31, 2023 Project and Expenditure Report. Actual expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023 were $1,644,557 more than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cumulative expenditures were $276,606 less than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cause: We were unable to obtain the supporting documentation used by the City in their preparation of the Project and Expenditure Report to determine why there was such a large, undetected discrepancy. Inadequate grant management resources, staff turnover in the Finance Department, and inadequate review procedures have resulted in inaccurate reporting. Effect: Failure to complete reports accurately and maintain proper supporting documentation for amounts reported could skew the financial position of the program and related projects. As such, measurement of results and management decisions for future projects could be based on inaccurate information. Recommendation: We recommend the City review their grant management controls to ensure that supporting documentation for grant reporting is maintained in a shared network file, available to all relevant users, and that reports and supporting documentation are reviewed and approved by a knowledgeable grant manager prior to submission to the Department of Treasury. Subsequent reallocation of expenditures that require report corrections should be made in a timely manner in the Treasury’s reporting portal. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-009 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.510 Financial Statements, grant recipients are required to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the recipient’s financial statements. The City of Biddeford prepares their SEFA on the accrual basis of accounting. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found one expenditure totaling $140,320 that was reported in the wrong period. We also found a credit of $27,119 that was unrelated to the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) grant and improperly reduced grant expenditures. The initial SEFA overstated expenditures by $113,201 for the SLFRF grant. The client has made adjustments to the SEFA to correct the errors. Cause: Improper accounting cutoff procedures and improper transaction coding caused the initial SEFA to be incorrect. Effect: The SEFA initially overstated program expenditures by $113,201. Recommendation: We recommend regular review of Federal grant expenditure accounts by a grant manager knowledgeable of the program to ensure proper year end cutoff and proper expense and revenue coding. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-010 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 180 OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension, non-Federal entities are prohibited from contracting with parties that are suspended or debarred when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria specified in 2 CFR 180.220. The non-Federal entity must verify the contractor is not suspended or debarred by (1) checking the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusions maintained by the General Services Administration at SAM.gov, (2) collecting a certification from the entity, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the contract with that entity. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found no evidence the City verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transactions. Cause: The City did not have a procedure in place to ensure compliance with suspension and debarment requirements prior to contracting with a vendor. Effect: The vendor could have been suspended or debarred from entering into a contract funded by Federal grants. Noncompliance can result in the grantor withholding Federal funds for the program. Recommendation: We recommend management review the requirements under 2 CFR part 180 and develop procedures to add to their procurement ordinance to ensure one of the three verifications is present prior to entering into a covered transaction under a Federal grant award. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-008 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Grant requires an annual Project and Expenditure Report be submitted within 30 days of the year ending March 31, 2023 to the Department of the Treasury. The Project and Expenditure Report should be supported by the City’s financial records and should contain an accurate record of grant funds obligated and expended by budgeted project. Condition: We were unable to reconcile the City’s expenditures, as reported in their accounting system, with the March 31, 2023 Project and Expenditure Report. Actual expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023 were $1,644,557 more than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cumulative expenditures were $276,606 less than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cause: We were unable to obtain the supporting documentation used by the City in their preparation of the Project and Expenditure Report to determine why there was such a large, undetected discrepancy. Inadequate grant management resources, staff turnover in the Finance Department, and inadequate review procedures have resulted in inaccurate reporting. Effect: Failure to complete reports accurately and maintain proper supporting documentation for amounts reported could skew the financial position of the program and related projects. As such, measurement of results and management decisions for future projects could be based on inaccurate information. Recommendation: We recommend the City review their grant management controls to ensure that supporting documentation for grant reporting is maintained in a shared network file, available to all relevant users, and that reports and supporting documentation are reviewed and approved by a knowledgeable grant manager prior to submission to the Department of Treasury. Subsequent reallocation of expenditures that require report corrections should be made in a timely manner in the Treasury’s reporting portal. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-009 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.510 Financial Statements, grant recipients are required to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the recipient’s financial statements. The City of Biddeford prepares their SEFA on the accrual basis of accounting. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found one expenditure totaling $140,320 that was reported in the wrong period. We also found a credit of $27,119 that was unrelated to the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) grant and improperly reduced grant expenditures. The initial SEFA overstated expenditures by $113,201 for the SLFRF grant. The client has made adjustments to the SEFA to correct the errors. Cause: Improper accounting cutoff procedures and improper transaction coding caused the initial SEFA to be incorrect. Effect: The SEFA initially overstated program expenditures by $113,201. Recommendation: We recommend regular review of Federal grant expenditure accounts by a grant manager knowledgeable of the program to ensure proper year end cutoff and proper expense and revenue coding. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-010 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 180 OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension, non-Federal entities are prohibited from contracting with parties that are suspended or debarred when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria specified in 2 CFR 180.220. The non-Federal entity must verify the contractor is not suspended or debarred by (1) checking the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusions maintained by the General Services Administration at SAM.gov, (2) collecting a certification from the entity, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the contract with that entity. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found no evidence the City verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transactions. Cause: The City did not have a procedure in place to ensure compliance with suspension and debarment requirements prior to contracting with a vendor. Effect: The vendor could have been suspended or debarred from entering into a contract funded by Federal grants. Noncompliance can result in the grantor withholding Federal funds for the program. Recommendation: We recommend management review the requirements under 2 CFR part 180 and develop procedures to add to their procurement ordinance to ensure one of the three verifications is present prior to entering into a covered transaction under a Federal grant award. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-008 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Grant requires an annual Project and Expenditure Report be submitted within 30 days of the year ending March 31, 2023 to the Department of the Treasury. The Project and Expenditure Report should be supported by the City’s financial records and should contain an accurate record of grant funds obligated and expended by budgeted project. Condition: We were unable to reconcile the City’s expenditures, as reported in their accounting system, with the March 31, 2023 Project and Expenditure Report. Actual expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023 were $1,644,557 more than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cumulative expenditures were $276,606 less than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cause: We were unable to obtain the supporting documentation used by the City in their preparation of the Project and Expenditure Report to determine why there was such a large, undetected discrepancy. Inadequate grant management resources, staff turnover in the Finance Department, and inadequate review procedures have resulted in inaccurate reporting. Effect: Failure to complete reports accurately and maintain proper supporting documentation for amounts reported could skew the financial position of the program and related projects. As such, measurement of results and management decisions for future projects could be based on inaccurate information. Recommendation: We recommend the City review their grant management controls to ensure that supporting documentation for grant reporting is maintained in a shared network file, available to all relevant users, and that reports and supporting documentation are reviewed and approved by a knowledgeable grant manager prior to submission to the Department of Treasury. Subsequent reallocation of expenditures that require report corrections should be made in a timely manner in the Treasury’s reporting portal. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-009 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.510 Financial Statements, grant recipients are required to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the recipient’s financial statements. The City of Biddeford prepares their SEFA on the accrual basis of accounting. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found one expenditure totaling $140,320 that was reported in the wrong period. We also found a credit of $27,119 that was unrelated to the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) grant and improperly reduced grant expenditures. The initial SEFA overstated expenditures by $113,201 for the SLFRF grant. The client has made adjustments to the SEFA to correct the errors. Cause: Improper accounting cutoff procedures and improper transaction coding caused the initial SEFA to be incorrect. Effect: The SEFA initially overstated program expenditures by $113,201. Recommendation: We recommend regular review of Federal grant expenditure accounts by a grant manager knowledgeable of the program to ensure proper year end cutoff and proper expense and revenue coding. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-010 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 180 OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension, non-Federal entities are prohibited from contracting with parties that are suspended or debarred when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria specified in 2 CFR 180.220. The non-Federal entity must verify the contractor is not suspended or debarred by (1) checking the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusions maintained by the General Services Administration at SAM.gov, (2) collecting a certification from the entity, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the contract with that entity. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found no evidence the City verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transactions. Cause: The City did not have a procedure in place to ensure compliance with suspension and debarment requirements prior to contracting with a vendor. Effect: The vendor could have been suspended or debarred from entering into a contract funded by Federal grants. Noncompliance can result in the grantor withholding Federal funds for the program. Recommendation: We recommend management review the requirements under 2 CFR part 180 and develop procedures to add to their procurement ordinance to ensure one of the three verifications is present prior to entering into a covered transaction under a Federal grant award. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-008 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) Grant requires an annual Project and Expenditure Report be submitted within 30 days of the year ending March 31, 2023 to the Department of the Treasury. The Project and Expenditure Report should be supported by the City’s financial records and should contain an accurate record of grant funds obligated and expended by budgeted project. Condition: We were unable to reconcile the City’s expenditures, as reported in their accounting system, with the March 31, 2023 Project and Expenditure Report. Actual expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2023 were $1,644,557 more than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cumulative expenditures were $276,606 less than were reported to the Treasury Department. Cause: We were unable to obtain the supporting documentation used by the City in their preparation of the Project and Expenditure Report to determine why there was such a large, undetected discrepancy. Inadequate grant management resources, staff turnover in the Finance Department, and inadequate review procedures have resulted in inaccurate reporting. Effect: Failure to complete reports accurately and maintain proper supporting documentation for amounts reported could skew the financial position of the program and related projects. As such, measurement of results and management decisions for future projects could be based on inaccurate information. Recommendation: We recommend the City review their grant management controls to ensure that supporting documentation for grant reporting is maintained in a shared network file, available to all relevant users, and that reports and supporting documentation are reviewed and approved by a knowledgeable grant manager prior to submission to the Department of Treasury. Subsequent reallocation of expenditures that require report corrections should be made in a timely manner in the Treasury’s reporting portal. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-009 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.510 Financial Statements, grant recipients are required to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the recipient’s financial statements. The City of Biddeford prepares their SEFA on the accrual basis of accounting. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found one expenditure totaling $140,320 that was reported in the wrong period. We also found a credit of $27,119 that was unrelated to the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) grant and improperly reduced grant expenditures. The initial SEFA overstated expenditures by $113,201 for the SLFRF grant. The client has made adjustments to the SEFA to correct the errors. Cause: Improper accounting cutoff procedures and improper transaction coding caused the initial SEFA to be incorrect. Effect: The SEFA initially overstated program expenditures by $113,201. Recommendation: We recommend regular review of Federal grant expenditure accounts by a grant manager knowledgeable of the program to ensure proper year end cutoff and proper expense and revenue coding. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None
2023-010 U.S. Department of Treasury, For the Period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Assistance Listing #21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 180 OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension, non-Federal entities are prohibited from contracting with parties that are suspended or debarred when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria specified in 2 CFR 180.220. The non-Federal entity must verify the contractor is not suspended or debarred by (1) checking the System for Award Management (SAM) exclusions maintained by the General Services Administration at SAM.gov, (2) collecting a certification from the entity, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the contract with that entity. Condition: During our testing of grant expenditures, we found no evidence the City verified the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transactions. Cause: The City did not have a procedure in place to ensure compliance with suspension and debarment requirements prior to contracting with a vendor. Effect: The vendor could have been suspended or debarred from entering into a contract funded by Federal grants. Noncompliance can result in the grantor withholding Federal funds for the program. Recommendation: We recommend management review the requirements under 2 CFR part 180 and develop procedures to add to their procurement ordinance to ensure one of the three verifications is present prior to entering into a covered transaction under a Federal grant award. Known Questioned Costs: None Likely Questioned Costs: None