Condition: Management did not have controls in place to ensure documentation was maintained evidencing the organization's verification that contractors are not suspended or debarred from participating in a federally funded activity. Planned Corrective Action: Management concurs with the finding. We ...
Condition: Management did not have controls in place to ensure documentation was maintained evidencing the organization's verification that contractors are not suspended or debarred from participating in a federally funded activity. Planned Corrective Action: Management concurs with the finding. We acknowledge that, for the awards issued under the Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Program (Assistance Listing Number 10.727), the required suspension and debarment verification was performed; however, the supporting documentation evidencing this verification was not retained by the responsible department. This represents a documentation lapse rather than a deficiency in internal controls as Openlands routinely performs suspension and debarment verifications for all applicable vendors, contractors, and subrecipients receiving federal funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200.214. This requirement applies to entities and individuals awarded federally funded contracts or subawards exceeding the micro-purchase threshold and excludes routine commercial vendors for indirect administrative costs or purchases under $15,000. Management believes this was an isolated documentation lapse prior to the current audit period when the contractor was selected, and is currently in the processes of executing an update to internal control policies to ensure these checks are maintained prior to entering into a contract by the responsible department as well as updating a clause to all standard vendor contracts requiring a self-certification that they are not excluded, debarred, or suspended from entering into covered transactions with the federal government. Contact person responsible for corrective action: Paul Spector (Director of Finance) Anticipated Completion Date: January 31, 2026