Program: ALL No. 10.523 Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance over Allowable Costs/Costs Principles (Payroll Costs) Repeat Finding: Yes Condition: Management did not review and approve the time and effort allocation of employees working under federal grants resulting in significant post-close adjustments. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR §200.430, the non-federal entity may compensate for personal services including all remuneration, paid currently or accrued, for services of employees rendered during the period of performance under the federal award, including but not necessarily limited to wages and salaries. The costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part. Additionally, as defined in 2 CFR Ch. II (1-1-18 Edition) §200.430(g), for compensation to members of nonprofit organizations, trustees, directors, associates, officers, or the immediate families thereof, determination must be made that such compensation is reasonable for the actual personal services rendered rather than a distribution of earnings in excess of costs. This may include director’s and executive committee member’s fees, incentive awards, allowances for off-site pay, incentive pay, location allowances, hardship pay, and cost-of-living differentials. Cause: Management did not review and approve the time and effort allocation of employees working under federal grants. Effect: If the time and allocation efforts of employees working under federal grants were not reviewed and approved in compliance with Uniform Guidance, the Foundation would not identify the compensation allocation and billing to the federal grants are reasonable amount. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Foundation review and approve the time and effort allocation of employees working under federal grants to ensure proper tracking and billing for compensation amount allowed per the federal award. Auditee Response and Corrective Action Plan: Refer to management’s corrective action plans. Auditor’s Conclusion: Finding remains as stated.
Program: ALL No. 10.523 Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance over Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Repeat Finding: Yes Condition: During our audit we noted that procurement documentation was not available to support the selection of a sole source vendor nor able to obtain documentation to support the Foundation entering into contractual agreements with vendors who were not debarred or suspended from doing business with the federal government. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.514: (c) Internal control. (1) The compliance supplement provides guidance on internal controls over Federal programs based upon the guidance in Standards for Internal Control in the federal Government issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and the Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). COSO requires entities to establish and maintain effective internal controls to achieve operational, reporting and compliance objectives. Per 2 CFR 200.320 General procurement: (a) Noncompetitive procurement. There are specific circumstances in which noncompetitive procurement can be used. Noncompetitive procurement can only be awarded if one or more of the following circumstances apply: (1) The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which does not exceed the micro-purchase threshold; (2) The item is available only from a single source; (3) The public exigency or emergency for the requirement will not permit a delay resulting from publicizing a competitive solicitation; (4) The federal awarding agency or pass-through entity expressly authorizes a noncompetitive procurement in response to a written request from the non-federal entity; or (5) After solicitation of a number of sources, competition is determined inadequate. Per 2 CFR 200.318 General procurement: (b) The non-federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable state, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal law and the standards identified in this part. Per Uniform Guidance, non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. “Covered transactions” include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. Cause: Program personnel were unaware of the requirement included in Uniform Guidance related to procedures required for procurement. Effect: If procurement were not in compliance with Uniform Guidance, the Foundation would not identify the noncompliance timely. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that management develop and implement written procurement policies and procedures in accordance with Uniform Guidance, provide periodic training to program personnel, and establish a review process to ensure procurement activities comply with applicable federal requirements. We also recommend the Foundation follow their process to verify that entities are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded annually at time of award and to document these procedures. Auditee Response and Corrective Action Plan: Refer to management’s corrective action plans. Auditor’s Conclusion: Finding remains as stated.
Program: ALL No. 10.523 Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance over Subrecipient Monitoring Repeat Finding: Yes Condition: Management did not verify that its subrecipients were not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in the transactions. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR §200.303, the non-federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal controls over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Pursuant to 31 USC 7502(f)(2) (Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-156)), 2 CFR sections 200.330, .331, and .501(h), a pass-through entity must identify the award and applicable requirements, evaluate risk, monitor, and ensure accountability of subrecipients. Additionally, when entering into subaward transactions, the non-federal entity must verify that the entity, as defined in 2 CFR section 180.995 and agency adopting regulations, not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in the transaction. This verification may be accomplished by (1) checking the System for Award Management (SAM) Exclusions maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA), (2) collecting a certification from the entity, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that entity (2CFR 180.300). Cause: Program personnel were unaware of the requirement included in Uniform Guidance related to procedures required for subrecipient monitoring. Effect: If subrecipients were not in compliance with Uniform Guidance, the Foundation would not identify the noncompliance timely. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the Foundation implements subrecipient monitoring controls by documenting and implementing procedures in accordance with Uniform Guidance requirements, including providing training to program personnel and developing written policies and checklists to ensure consistent compliance. Auditee Response and Corrective Action Plan: Refer to management’s corrective action plans. Auditor’s Conclusion: Finding remains as stated.
ALL No. 10.523 Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance Over Reporting Repeat Finding: No Condition: The Foundation’s single audit report and the data collection form were not completed within nine months after the end of the audit period. Criteria: Per 2 CFR 200.512: Report Submission. (a) General. (1) The audit must be completed and the data collection form described in paragraph (b) of this section and reporting package described in paragraph (c) of this section must be submitted within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor’s report(s), or nine months after the end of the audit period. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the reporting package is due the next business day; and (2) Unless restricted by federal statutes or regulations, the auditee must make copies available for public inspection. Auditees and auditors must ensure that their respective parts of the reporting package do not include protected personally identifiable information. Cause: In 2024, the Foundation did not complete the single audit report and submit the required data collection form within the nine-month timeframe due to delays in compiling necessary financial information and finalizing supporting documentation. Effect: Failure to submit the reporting package and data collection form within the required timeframe results in non-compliance with the Uniform Guidance reporting requirements. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: We recommend that the Foundation creates policies and procedures to ensure that audits are started and completed in a timely fashion so the reporting package submission to the federal government can be made in accordance with federal guidelines. We also recommend that individuals responsible for administering federal assistance programs with the Foundation receive training in grant administration. Auditee Response and Corrective Action Plan: Refer to management’s corrective action plans. Auditor’s Conclusion: Finding remains as stated.