Finding #2024-002 – Significant Deficiency and Other Noncompliance. Applicable federal program: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Assistance Listing #66.456, National Estuary program, Passed through Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Contract period: 09/01/23 – 08/31/25, Contract numb...
Finding #2024-002 – Significant Deficiency and Other Noncompliance. Applicable federal program: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Assistance Listing #66.456, National Estuary program, Passed through Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Contract period: 09/01/23 – 08/31/25, Contract number: 582-24-50165. Condition and context: We reviewed one of the two subrecipient awards for the required information described in the criteria above and noted such provisions were not included in the subrecipient agreement. Recommendation: Policies and procedures should be implemented to ensure all required information is included in the subrecipient agreement before issuance. Planned corrective action: Management agrees with the finding and would like to provide additional context to this situation. This agreement occurred during the early implementation phase of a multi-year grant in 2023, when the Foundation was still establishing internal processes for managing subawards under federal funding requirements. At the time of this transaction: The federal award had not yet been formally executed, though the federal agency provided authorization to begin incurring expenses. The subrecipient, a partner organization, drafted and issued the agreement using their standard contract template. Since that time, the Foundation has updated its procedures for subsequent subrecipient agreements to include the required Uniform Guidance information as outlined in 2 CFR §200.331(a). This was an isolated incident during a transitional period, and management is confident that current processes address this issue. To prevent recurrence, the Foundation will: Continue to follow updated subrecipient agreement templates, which include all required award and federal compliance language. Provide refresher training to staff involved in grant and contract administration on subrecipient vs. vendor classifications and associated federal requirements. Perform an annual compliance review of all subrecipient agreements to ensure ongoing adherence. Responsible officer: Dawn Asbury, Controller. Estimated completion date: July 31, 2025.