Corrective Action Plans

Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Agree with recommendation. A draft procurement policy has been prepared. It will be modified to ensure compliance with procurement of property or services required under a Federal award. Employees with procurement responsibilities will be required to follow the policy.

Finding 2023-007: Significant Deficiency, Procurement and Noncompliance Finding – Procurement – Internal Control over Procurement Finding: SPED/Grant Administration did not adhere to the Danbury Public Schools “Bids and Purchases-Competitive” procurement policies, that were compliant with Federal Part 3 compliance guidelines. The DPS had a procurement policy in place that was consistent with the standards of the aforementioned compliance sections; however, the City did not follow their own procurement policy requiring two quotes for a micro-purchase expenditure, three quotes for a small purchase expenditure and advertising for bids publicly for the large >$5,000 purchase expenditures. They only obtained one quote for each expenditure for micro and small purchases, and they did not use a public bid process for expenditures over $5,000. Corrective Action Taken or Planned: Danbury Public Schools (DPS) will begin reviewing the procurement policies that are in place in order to ensure they are in accordance with all compliance requirements set forth by any grants that DPS participates in. A memorandum will be issued summarizing procurement policy features. Lastly, training will be conducted with both the department and the finance team to review the policies and ensure understanding.

FINDING 2023-006 Finding Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster – Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Summary of Finding: A School Nutrition Cooperative (Co-ops, Education Service Center, Group Purchasing Organization, etc.) that would like to be classified as a School Food Authority (SFA) Cooperative must complete a questionnaire and submit it to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). Once a questionnaire is received IDOE will review the answers to determine a Cooperative’s classification. Only Cooperatives that submit the questionnaire and receive a SFA-only Cooperative classification from IDOE in writing will be considered a SFA only Cooperative for the purposes of the procurement process and procurement reviews. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 41 􀀃 “Meeting􀀃students􀀃where􀀃they􀀃are􀀃and􀀃leading􀀃them􀀃forward…every􀀃student,􀀃every􀀃day”􀀃 When the value of goods or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the proper purchasing method would be the bidding process, unless the purchase meets certain other qualifications. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for goods or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is customarily set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase threshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. If it is determined a single source provider can be used for a small purchase, documentation must be retained supporting the determination. The School Corporation could not provide supporting documentation that an adequate number of price or rate quotations was obtained to ensure full and open competition for two vendors procured under the small purchase threshold. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Drew Cooper, Business Manager Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 765-425-7889 dcooper@shenandoah.k12.in.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: The procurement method used to purchase equipment costing over $10,000 will be documented and archived with the purchase order. Anticipated Completion Date: July 31, 2024

Finding 2023-003 – Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Description of Finding The Town of Coventry and Coventry Public School’s procurement standards do not include the essential elements as outlined in 2 CFR sections 200.303, and 200.318 through 200.326 within Uniform Guidance. Statement of Concurrence or Nonconcurrence Management concurs with the finding. Corrective Action Management of the Town of Coventry and the Coventry Public Schools will review the current purchasing policies and update them to make sure that the Town and School Department is following the criteria as set out in the 2 CFR sections 200.303 and 200.318 through 200.326. The policy will then be updated and communicated to all personnel involved in the procurement process. Name of Contact Person Robert J. Civetti, CPA, Town Finance Director; Christopher Deverna, CPA, Director of Finance, Coventry Public Schools Projected Completion Date June 30, 2025

Views of Responsible Officials: The procurement policy will be expanded for all re-procuring of longterm contracts procedures. All contracts with service providers or contractors will be reviewed and a renewal or re-procurement process will be taken care accordingly.

A detailed Procurement process currently exists; however, due to staff turnover we were unable locate all the procurement documentation requested. We will continue to reinforce our Procurement policy (detailed below as it relates to documentation) and now require all documentation be stored in a Central location for all applicable Finance staff. (1) Mary's Center will establish and maintain procurement records and files. The physical records will be kept in the office of the Chief Executive Officer and/or Finance office and virtual copies will be stored on the Finance shared folder. (2) Mary's Center will document in the procurement files some form of cost or price analysis made in connection with every procurement action. (3) For any contracted service (other than equipment-specific technical support), Mary's Center procurement file will include: Basis for selection of the contractor, Justification for lack of competition when competitive bids or prices are not obtained, and Basis for award cost or price. (4) These records and files will be kept in accordance with Mary's Center's Record Retention and Document Destruction Policy. Anticipated Completion Date: 3/31/2025 Responsible Contact Person: Tony Ricciardella, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Alison Roca, Controller

Condition: Five vendors were awarded a contract without a competitive procurement process. Corrective Action Planned: Complete competitive procurement will be done via the federal guidelines for Purchase Orders below and over the $50,000.00 threshold. This means upholding the laws laid out in 200.319 by allowing competitive bidding for each contract given out to a vendor by soliciting quotes and having a written internal procedure with the help of the audit team. We will create a Google folder to upload all supporting documents on a yearly basis. Anticipated Completion Date: 2/17/2025 Contact: Noel Velez, Director of Finance

Finding Number: 2023-004 Finding Title: Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Program: 21.027 COVID-19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Name of Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Kris Vipond, Assistant Finance Director Corrective Action Planned: Directors in departments receiving federal funding will document the history of procurement transactions, including contract selection and rationale, in accordance with federal regulations. They will also verify vendors are not debarred or suspended, or that other exclusions apply prior to entering into contracts and will maintain the appropriate documentation. In addition, they will work with other internal County departments that may purchase on their behalf to document and verify in a similar manner. Anticipated Completion Date: 12/31/2025

The Auditor’s Office will work with the Commissioner’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office to implement the required policies.

Management agrees with the findings and recommendation. The District will update its policies and procedures to ensure they meet the Uniform Guidance Requirements. .

Finding: 2023-009 All Programs Description of the Findings: During the review of the procurement compliance requirement related to major program, it was determined that the USWA did not have a document procurement policy in place until August 2023. Views of Responsible Official(s) and Planned Corrective Actions: While the Alliance did not have a standalone procurement policy in place until August 2023, it did have purchasing policies embedded in its Accounting and Finance Manual that covered purchases relative to our work at that time. No further corrective action is needed however policies are reviewed annually to ensure compliance under 2 CFR 200.516(a). Completion Date: August 2023 Responsible Official(s): ShaQuina Davis

Finding 2023-005: Internal Control Deficiency and Noncompliance Over Procurement Federal Grantor: United States Department of Health and Human Services Assistance Listing No.: 93.048 Summary of Finding: AdviseWell, Inc. did not have internal controls in place throughout the audit period to sufficiently document the history of procurement, including the rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price or sole source justification if warranted. Additionally, management did not have evidence of internal controls being in place throughout the audit period to document that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering into a procurement transaction. AdviseWell, Inc. did not have or use documented procurements procedures throughout the audit period. Corrective Action Plan: Internal controls were implemented in October 2023 following the 2022-04 finding, to ensure that sufficient documentation of history of procurement, including the rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection of, and the basis for contract price; ensure vendors are not suspended or debarred prior to entering into the procurement process; and document these procurement procedures with an annual review of these with staff. Responsible Party: Sonja Landry, Executive Director Anticipated Completion Date: Completed October 2023

FINDING 2023-004 Finding Subject: COVID-19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Summary of Finding: Suspension and Debarment – Allen County did not have documentation that vendors’ suspension and debarment status were verified through either a) checking the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), b) collecting a certification, or c) adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction agreement. Procurement – Allen County did not ensure purchases between $10,000 and $150,000 had received the adequate number of quotes or documented why an adequate number of quotes was not received. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Chris Cloud, Chief of Staff Contact Phone Number and Email Address: 260-449-4752 / chris.cloud@allencounty.us Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with the finding. Description of Corrective Action Plan: To correct Finding 2023-004 for Suspension and Debarment, the Chief of Staff to the Board of Commissioners will check the EPLS on SAM.gov every time a contract is placed before the Board of Commissioners for signature not containing the appropriate suspension and debarment language or a county department starts a project with a vendor using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). If a vendor is not found in EPLS, a certification will be solicited from the vendor prior to contract signing or purchase of goods or services verifying that they have not been suspended or disbarred. A new verification must be sought for every contract or purchase. Documentation will be kept on file by the Controller to the Board of Commissioners who is responsible for reviewing claims submitted for payment utilizing SLFRF. To correct Finding 2023-004 for Procurement, the Chief of Staff to the Board of Commissioners will instruct departments who may be spending between $10,000-$150,000 of SLFRF that price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. When departments submit a claim to the Controller of the Board of Commissioners for payment, they must also provide a cover sheet outlining a) rationale for the method of procurement, b) copies of quotes received, and c) a justification for the selected vendor. This information will be reviewed and if everything is in order, the cover sheet will be uploaded, along with the accompanying invoices, in the Workflow payment system as part of the record. Anticipated Completion Date: This CAP will be completed by December 31, 2024

Condition: As a precondition to receive federal awards, prospective recipients must have effective internal controls over the federal award. As described in 2 CFR, Part 200.303, nonfederal entities must have certain written policies and procedures surrounding the management of their federal awards. Such policies should include procedures for collecting payments of federal funds per 2 CRF 200.305, cash management (i.e., minimizing the time between draws and actual disbursing of federal awards) per 2 CFR 200.302(b)(6), allowable cost per 2 CFR 200.403, and conflict of interest per 2 CFR 200.318. Per 2 CFR 200.319(d), the non-Federal entity must have written procedures for procurement transactions. Recommendation: The Authority should adopt written policies and procedures over cash management and allowable costs required under the Uniform Guidance. Planned Corrective Action: The Authority implemented these policies during the FY 2024 (BA054 Cash Management Policy and BA059 Authorization of Purchases). Contact Person: Anthony Shaver, Chief Financial Officer Anticipated Completion Date: 9/30/2024

Condition: The Authority did not utilize federal procurement requirements cited above for the tele-health services and SUD Peer Recovery Service contracted service providers utilized for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics project. (no documentation for sole source, no proof that it was advertised, google search was provided from 7/24/24 is not sufficient, board cannot waive federal requirement). Recommendation: The Authority follow federal procurement as required in 2 CFR 200.319(d) for all contracts reimbursed with federal funds. Planned Corrective Action: Going forward the Authority will follow federal procurement as required in 2 CFR 200.319(d) for all contracts reimbursed with federal funds. Contact Person: Anthony Shaver, Chief Financial Officer Anticipated Completion Date: 9/30/2024

2023-001: Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls and Compliance Finding -Child Nutrition Cluster ALN (10.553, 10.555,10.559): A competitive procurement process, which includes suspension and debarment certifications, was not properly performed by the Town for the purchase of school lunch food product. (Questioned Costs: $453,359) The Town of Clinton/School Department will maintain proper procurement procedures in compliance with Local, State and Federal laws and regulations. State procurement laws (MGL Chapter 30B for Goods and Services and MGL Chapter 149 Construction) are followed however the district is aware of the federal requirements. When there are exemptions from state procurement laws, or when federal regulations are stricter the district will use the strictest rules, under 2 CFR 200.318-327. These procedures have been updated in the Financial Procedures Manual (pages 231-240, under Section II Procurement System). The Town of Clinton/School Department has expanded membership with French River Education Center – Purchasing Cooperative to include several school lunch food products. The Town of Clinton/School Department will utilize two methods to determine if a potential vendor has been suspended or disbarred. Prior to approving a requisition for a contracted service in excess of $25,000 funded by a Federal grant, district will verify Sam.gov and will require the vendor to sign a Vendor Compliance Certification.

FINDING 2023-003 Finding Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement Summary of Finding: The School Corporation’s management had not developed a system of internal controls that would ensure compliance with procurement and suspension and debarment compliance requirement. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Tracey Haas, Deputy Treasurer Contact Phone Number and Email Address: thaas@mcas.k12.in.us (219)873-2000 ext. 8346 Views of Responsible Officials: We concur with this finding. We are working on establishing a proper system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures to ensure there are appropriate procurement procedures for goods and services. Description of Corrective Action Plan: We are working on establishing a proper system of internal control and developing policies and procedures to ensure there are appropriate procurement procedures for goods and services. We are working on a checklist for procurement for all federal grants. Moving forward we will ensure required bids and quotes are attached to the claim for payment. Anticipated Completion Date: The Anticipated date of completion for this correction is January 1, 2025.

FINDING 2023-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Summary of Finding: The School Corporation had not designed or implemented internal controls, policies, or procedures to ensure that proper procurement procedures for small purchases were followed. Due to the lack of oversight or implemented controls small purchases paid to eight vendors totaling $180,015 were made without obtaining price or rate quotes. The School Corporation had not designed or implemented internal controls, policies, or procedures to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering into a covered transaction. One covered transaction that equaled or exceeded $25,000 was identified and selected for testing. Transactions to the vendor totaled $81,295; the School Corporation did not verify the vendor’s suspension and debarment status prior to payment. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Juli Windsor Contact Phone Number:765-689-9131 Views of Responsible Official: We concur with the finding Description of Corrective Action Plan: The corporation will have adequate internal control in place and the corporation will develop a procedure to ensure rate or priced quotes are obtained for small purchases and ensure contractors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any contracts or subawards. Anticipated Completion Date: April 2024

Management agrees with the finding. Management has drafted a procurement policy, and will enact and enforce this policy by the end of 2024. This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that any changes in laws and regulation are reflected in internal procedures.

Incorporate a Federal Procurement Policy (Res # 24-11)

Management Comments and Corrective Action: Due to the growing need to adequately care for the minors at SWK’s shelters coupled with the limitations of access to vendors caused by COVID-19, SWK utilized existing vendor to minimize significant disruptions to operations. The Organization is aware they are operating under contracts that were procured in previous years that may not have all the records maintained. Reprocuring all of these contracts at once would potentially cause disruptions in operations due to the products/services related to those vendors playing an important role in the Organization’s day-to-day operations. In April 2021, the Organization hired new procurement leadership and invested in Full Time Employees (FTEs) to develop a robust procurement department. Due to this procurement revamp, Procurement adopted a hybrid model, and Desktop Protocols were established to provide universal procedures to fulfill policy. Protocols instruct staff on obtaining three quotes and provide tools for selecting the vendor. In addition, quality protocols and tools are currently in development to verify a random sample of procurement transactions and files. The Organization still has several active contracts procured under the old policies that they are working on reprocuring as these contracts’ renewal dates arise, if not earlier. Proposed Implementation Date of Corrective Action: In process and to be completed by December 31, 2025. Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Steven Beckman, CFO

Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund – Assistance Listing No. 21.027 Recommendation: We recommend the County carefully review federal procurement requirements for proper documentation needed. The County should consider use of a Federal procurement checklist. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Any new vendors selected for the SLFRF program will be reviewed for suspension or debarment by the Auditor’s office in SAM.gov. Auditor’s office has discussed the process of procurement documentation of all SLFRF program vendors with administrative personnel. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Eric Black, Chief Deputy Auditor. Planned completion date for corrective action plan: November 30, 2024

Management will develop, adopt and implement a procurement policy for federal purchases that aligns with the requirement of the 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance. This process will include steps within the interview and application process to ensure contractors and subrecipients are eligible (not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded) to enter into an agreement, contract, or subaward with the City. The process will also include steps to ensure all necessary language, such as the Buy America Build America Provisions are included in the final contracts.

Management of the Town will work to adopt a formal procurement policy that is in compliance with Federal Uniform Guidance and State requirement. The Town will also assign a federal procurement leader that will help determine requirements for federal versus nonfederal awards as well as ensuring the Town's new procurement policy is followed.

Management of the City will work to adopt a formal procurement policy that is in compliance with Federal Uniform Guidance and State requirements. The City will also assign a federal procurement leader that will help determine requirements for federal versus nonfederal awards as well as ensuring the City’s new procurement policy is followed.