FINDING 2022-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.553, 10.555 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): SY 2020/2021, SY 2021/2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal awards in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)...." 2 CFR 200.318(i) states: ?The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price.? 2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states: "Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases ? (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states in part: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusion; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person.? Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Cause: Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Context: Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 for when informal procedures can 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. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for three of the five vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micro-purchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. Documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit. Suspension and Debarment Non-federal entities and contractors are subject to non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or are ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. This is done by checking SAM Exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the School Corporation entered into a covered transaction with Stanz Food Service, Inc.. Procedures were not performed to ensure that the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. The lack of controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No. Recommendation: We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to ensure that 3 quotes are obtained as required for small purchase method procurements and to ensure the vendors are not debarred or suspended. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.
Subrecipient Monitoring 2022-007 GENERAL INFORMATION: Grant Title: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Number: Assistance Listing #: 21.027 Federal Agency: Department of the Treasury CONDITION: We noted during our audit that the Randolph County Commission failed to properly monitor subrecipients. Specifically, there was no assurance that the allocated funds sent were expensed by the subrecipients. CRITERIA: 'Proper internal control over federal awards passed to subrecipients requires the establishment and maintenance of an effective system to provide reasonable assurance that the subrecipient is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statues, regulations, and terms and conditions of the federal award. 2 CFR Part 200.332 states, in part, that: "(a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward. Required information includes:(1) Federal award identification. (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier); (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier; (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); (iv) Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency; (v) Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; (vi) Subaward Budget Period Start and End Date; (vii) Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient; (viii) Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation; (ix) Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity; (x)Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); (xi)Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the Pass-through entity; (xii)Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement; (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D; and (xiv)Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414. (2) All requirements imposed by the pass-through entity on the subrecipient so that the Federal award is used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the Federal award; (3) Any additional requirements that the pass-through entity imposes on the subrecipient in order for the pass-through entity to meet its own responsibility to the Federal awarding agency including identification of any required financial and performance reports; (4) (i) An approved federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal Government. If no approved rate exists, the pass-through entity must determine the appropriate rate in collaboration with the subrecipient, which is either: (A) The negotiated indirect cost rate between the pass-through entity and the subrecipient; which can be based on a prior negotiated rate between a different PTE and the same subrecipient. If basing the rate on a previously negotiated rate, the pass-through entity is not required to collect information justifying this rate, but may elect to do so; (B) The de minimis indirect cost rate. (4) (ii) The pass-through entity must not require use of a de minimis indirect cost rate if the subrecipient has a Federally approved rate. Subrecipients can elect to use the cost allocation method to account for indirect costs in accordance with ? 200.405(d). (5) A requirement that the subrecipient permit the pass-through entity and auditors to have access to the subrecipient's records and financial statements as necessary for the pass-through entity to meet the requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. (b) Evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, which may include consideration of such factors as: (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a Single Audit in accordance with Subpart F of this part, and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems; and (4) The extent and results of Federal awarding agency monitoring (e.g., if the subrecipient also receives Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency).... (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient, highlighting the status of actions planned or taken to address Single Audit findings related to the particular subaward. (3) Issuing a management decision for applicable audit findings pertaining only to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by ?200.521. (4) The pass-through entity is responsible for resolving audit findings specifically related to the subaward and not responsible for resolving crosscutting findings. If a subrecipient has a current Single Audit report posted in the Federal Audit Clearinghouse and has not otherwise been excluded from receipt of Federal funding (e.g., has been debarred or suspended), the pass-through entity may rely on the subrecipient's cognizant audit agency or cognizant oversight agency to perform audit follow-up and make management decisions related to cross-cutting findings in accordance with section ?200.513(a)(3)(vii). Such reliance does not eliminate the responsibility of the pass-through entity to issue subawards that conform to agency and award-specific requirements, to manage risk through ongoing subaward monitoring, and to monitor the status of the findings that are specifically related to the subaward.... (f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient's Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in ?200.501. (g) Consider whether the results of the subrecipient's audits, on-site reviews, or other monitoring indicate conditions that necessitate adjustments to the pass-through entity's own records." QUESTIONED COSTS: $163,617 CONTEXT: Disbursements totaling $163,617 were made to subrecipients without activities being monitored to ensure expenditures of the subaward were being used for authorized purposes and in accordance with the grant guidelines. CAUSE: The Randolph County Commission did not have procedures in place to ensure subrecipient monitoring requirements were performed. EFFECT: Failure to properly monitor subrecipients increases the likelihood of errors or irregularities not being prevented or detected in a timely manner. Additionally, the risk of unallowable activities and unallowable costs is significantly increased. Management failed to comply with all applicable, material compliance requirements of the grant agreement. REPEAT FINDING: Yes PRIOR YEAR FINDING NUMBER: 2021-002 RECOMMENDATION: The Randolph County Commission is directed to review these regulations and comply with the provisions set forth therein. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS AND PLANNED CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: We will comply and monitor subrecipient spending going forward.
Reference Number: 2022-029 Prior Year Finding: 2021-027 Federal Agency: U.S. Department Homeland Security State Department Name: Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) State Division Name: Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) Federal Program: Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters), COVID-19 ? Disaster Grants ? Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) Assistance Listing Number: 97.036 Award Number and Year: 4526-DR-DE (2022), 4566-DR-DE (2022), 4627-DR-DE (2022) Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Noncompliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: 2 CFR ?200.332 - Requirements for Pass-Through Entities states, in part, that all pass-through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward. Required information includes: (1) Federal Award Identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier); (ii) Subrecipient?s unique entity identifier; (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); (iv) Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency; (v) Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; (vi) Subaward Budget Period Start and End Date; (vii) Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient; (viii) Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation; (ix) Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity; (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); (xi) Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the Pass-through entity; (xii) Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement. (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means. (3) Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by ? 200.521 Management decision. (f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F - Audit Requirements of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient?s Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in ? 200.501 Audit requirements. Control: Per 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: DEMA did not furnish all required information to its subrecipients at the time of issuance of the subawards. Further, DEMA was not able to provide support that it monitored the activities of its subrecipients to ensure that the subawards were used for authorized purposes, nor that it ensured its subrecipients were audited as required by 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F ? Audit Requirements (Subpart F). Context: ? For five of five subrecipients, the following required information was not provided to the subrecipient at the time of award issuance: Federal Award Identification (FAIN), Federal award date, subaward budget period start and end date, Federal award project description as required by FFATA, name of Federal awarding agency, and Assistance Listing number and title. ? For five of five subrecipients, DEMA was unable to provide support that it monitored the activities of its subrecipients during the fiscal year to ensure that the subawards were used for authorized purposes. ? For three of five subrecipients, DEMA was unable to provide support that it ensured the subrecipients were audited as required by Subpart F. DEMA could not produce evidence of verification that the subrecipient?s Federal awards expended during the fiscal year were below the threshold set forth in ? 200.501 Audit requirements. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Cause: DEMA did not establish effective internal controls and procedures over subrecipient monitoring. Effect: Excluding the required federal grant award information at the time of the subaward may cause subrecipients and their auditors to be uninformed about specific program and other regulations that apply to the funds they receive. There is also the potential for subrecipients to have incomplete Schedules of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in their Single Audit reports, and federal funds may not be properly audited at the subrecipient level in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Not conducting during the award monitoring may result in a failure to detect that subrecipients used subawards for unauthorized purposes, managed them in violation of the terms and conditions of the subawards, or that subaward performance goals were not achieved. Without ensuring subrecipients have obtained audits as required by Subpart F there is an increased risk that subrecipients could be inappropriately spending and/or inaccurately tracking and reporting federal funds over multiple year periods, and these discrepancies may not be properly monitored, detected, and corrected by agency personnel on a timely basis. Recommendation: DEMA should review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required information is included in all subawards, that subrecipients are properly monitored, and that evaluation of independent audits is performed. Views of responsible officials: A contractor has been assigned to develop and implement internal controls to ensure all required information is included in all subawards, that subrecipients are properly monitored, and that evaluation of independent audits is performed. Subaward letters were updated in September 2022 and a monitoring protocol implemented to begin monitoring all subrecipients to date to include an evaluation of independent audits that is documented as part of the monitoring visit.
Reference Number: 2022-029 Prior Year Finding: 2021-027 Federal Agency: U.S. Department Homeland Security State Department Name: Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) State Division Name: Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) Federal Program: Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters), COVID-19 ? Disaster Grants ? Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) Assistance Listing Number: 97.036 Award Number and Year: 4526-DR-DE (2022), 4566-DR-DE (2022), 4627-DR-DE (2022) Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Noncompliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: 2 CFR ?200.332 - Requirements for Pass-Through Entities states, in part, that all pass-through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward. Required information includes: (1) Federal Award Identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier); (ii) Subrecipient?s unique entity identifier; (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); (iv) Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency; (v) Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; (vi) Subaward Budget Period Start and End Date; (vii) Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient; (viii) Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation; (ix) Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity; (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); (xi) Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the Pass-through entity; (xii) Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement. (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means. (3) Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by ? 200.521 Management decision. (f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F - Audit Requirements of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient?s Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in ? 200.501 Audit requirements. Control: Per 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: DEMA did not furnish all required information to its subrecipients at the time of issuance of the subawards. Further, DEMA was not able to provide support that it monitored the activities of its subrecipients to ensure that the subawards were used for authorized purposes, nor that it ensured its subrecipients were audited as required by 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F ? Audit Requirements (Subpart F). Context: ? For five of five subrecipients, the following required information was not provided to the subrecipient at the time of award issuance: Federal Award Identification (FAIN), Federal award date, subaward budget period start and end date, Federal award project description as required by FFATA, name of Federal awarding agency, and Assistance Listing number and title. ? For five of five subrecipients, DEMA was unable to provide support that it monitored the activities of its subrecipients during the fiscal year to ensure that the subawards were used for authorized purposes. ? For three of five subrecipients, DEMA was unable to provide support that it ensured the subrecipients were audited as required by Subpart F. DEMA could not produce evidence of verification that the subrecipient?s Federal awards expended during the fiscal year were below the threshold set forth in ? 200.501 Audit requirements. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Cause: DEMA did not establish effective internal controls and procedures over subrecipient monitoring. Effect: Excluding the required federal grant award information at the time of the subaward may cause subrecipients and their auditors to be uninformed about specific program and other regulations that apply to the funds they receive. There is also the potential for subrecipients to have incomplete Schedules of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in their Single Audit reports, and federal funds may not be properly audited at the subrecipient level in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Not conducting during the award monitoring may result in a failure to detect that subrecipients used subawards for unauthorized purposes, managed them in violation of the terms and conditions of the subawards, or that subaward performance goals were not achieved. Without ensuring subrecipients have obtained audits as required by Subpart F there is an increased risk that subrecipients could be inappropriately spending and/or inaccurately tracking and reporting federal funds over multiple year periods, and these discrepancies may not be properly monitored, detected, and corrected by agency personnel on a timely basis. Recommendation: DEMA should review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required information is included in all subawards, that subrecipients are properly monitored, and that evaluation of independent audits is performed. Views of responsible officials: A contractor has been assigned to develop and implement internal controls to ensure all required information is included in all subawards, that subrecipients are properly monitored, and that evaluation of independent audits is performed. Subaward letters were updated in September 2022 and a monitoring protocol implemented to begin monitoring all subrecipients to date to include an evaluation of independent audits that is documented as part of the monitoring visit.
2022-002: Application of De Minimis Indirect Cost Rate Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-Through Grantor: N/A Federal Assistance Listing Number: 93.332 Program Title: Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated Exchanges Pass-through Entity Identifying Number: N/A Award Year: 2020-2021; 2021-2022 Questioned Costs: $35,716 Criteria: The Uniform Guidance allows nonfederal entities that have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate to elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) to federal awards. If elected, the rate must be used consistently for all of an organization?s federal awards. 2 CFR 200.1 defines MTDC as ?all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward?? Condition: During the fiscal year, the organization elected to begin using the de minimis 10% indirect cost rate on its federal awards. However, the 10% rate was applied to a base that did not exclude the portion of direct subaward costs that exceeded $25,000. This resulted in excess indirect costs being charged to the organization?s Navigator 8 (NAVCA190351-02-02) and Navigator 9 (NAVCA210402-01-01) grants as follows: "See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table" Cause: The organization has had turnover in the Executive Director and contracted accounting positions in the past two fiscal years and the current management was not aware of the Uniform Guidance requirement to limit subrecipient expenses to the first $25,000 per subaward. Effect: The inclusion of the portion of each subaward greater than $25,000 in the MTDC base resulted in more indirect costs being charged to federal awards during the fiscal year than were allowable under the de minimis indirect cost rate election. Recommendation: We recommend that the organization review the requirements of the Uniform Guidance and ensure that the MTDC base is properly applied in future federal grants.
Finding Reference Number: 2022-012 NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs COVID-19 State Small Business Credit Initiative Technical Assistance Grant Program (Assistance Listing #21.031) Federal Award Numbers: NOI-0000178 Federal Award Year: 2022 U.S. Department of Treasury Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance Prior Year Finding: None Statistically Valid Sample: No Criteria In accordance with 2 CFR section 200.1, a subrecipient is an entity, usually but not limited to non-federal entities, that receives a subaward from a pass-through entity to carry out part of a federal award; but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary of such award. A pass-through entity must clearly identify to the subrecipient required award information and applicable requirements described in 2 CFR section 200.332(a). The following items are required to be communicated: a. Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier); b. Subrecipient's unique entity identifier; c. Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); d. Federal Award Date (see ? 200.39 Federal award date) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency; e. Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; f. Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient; g. Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current obligation; h. Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity; i. Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); j. Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the Pass-through entity; k. CFDA Number and Name; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the CFDA number at time of disbursement; l. Identification of whether the award is R&D; and m. Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). Additionally, per 2 CFR section 200.303, non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards that provide 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. Condition As part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative Technical Assistance Grant Program (SSBCI), the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (the Department) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a subrecipient that passed through all programmatic and financial responsibilities of the federal award to the subrecipient. The total amount of funds passed through during the period ending June 30, 2022 was $19,661,597. During our review of the MOU, the Department did not communicate any of the required award information outlined within 2 CFR 200.332(a). Cause The cause of the condition found was the result of the Department being unaware that the agreement they entered was a subrecipient relationship and that they were required to communicate the required award information contained within 2 CFR 200.332(a). Effect The effect of the condition found is that the Department did not comply with 2 CFR section 200.332(a). Questioned Costs None. Recommendation We recommend that the Department review its existing internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure that the Department complies with the provisions of 2 CFR section 200.332(a) by ensuring that all required award information is communicated to subrecipients. View of Responsible Officials The Department acknowledges the misinterpretation of the agreement as a subaward has led to a failure to comply with 2 CFR section 200.332(a). Underlying this misinterpretation was the Department?s failure to differentiate between entering into agreements with other state agencies and entities recognized as component units of state government such as the NH Business Finance Authority; noting agreements between state agencies would not require such compliance. Accordingly, the Department will review existing policies and procedures related to subawarding and subrecipient monitoring to ensure agreements with component units of state government are properly considered. Additionally, the Department will amend the existing agreement to ensure required award information is communicated and ensure all other subrecipient monitoring protocols are applied to the subaward. Anticipated Completion Date: June 30, 2023 Contact Person: Taylor Caswell
Program: AL 20.205 ? Highway Planning & Construction ? Subrecipient Monitoring Grant Number & Year: Various Federal Grantor Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation Criteria: Per 2 CFR ? 1201.1 (January 1, 2022), the U.S. Department of Transportation adopted the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements set forth at Title 2 CFR part 200. 2 CFR ? 200.332(a) (January 1, 2022) requires all pass-through entities to do the following: Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification . . . . Required information includes: (1) Federal award identification. * * * * (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier; (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); (iv) Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency; * * * * (vii) Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient; (viii) Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation; (ix) Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity; * * * * (xii) Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement; Good internal control requires procedure to ensure that subrecipients are informed of all required information. Condition: The Agency did not communicate all required information to subrecipients. We noted further that the Agency lacked procedures for ensuring subrecipients have sufficient accounting controls to manage Federal funds properly. Repeat Finding: No Questioned Costs: Unknown Statistical Sample: No Context: During the fiscal year, there were 46 subaward projects to a total of eight subrecipients. We tested five subawards and noted the Agency did not properly communicate the subrecipients? unique entity identifier, the Federal Award Identification Number, Federal award date, and amount of Federal funds obligated and committed for all five subrecipient projects tested. Additionally, for one of five projects tested, the Assistance Listing number and title was not communicated. Subrecipient expenditures totaled $29,277,795 during the fiscal year. Cause: The program agreement template used for subrecipient awards does not include all required Federal award identification data elements. For the one project where the Federal Assistance Listings number and title was not communicated, the program agreement was completed in 2006, prior to the program agreement template being changed to include this information. Effect: Noncompliance with Federal regulations could result in sanctions. When subrecipients are not informed of all required information, there is an increased risk for subrecipient noncompliance, including with audit requirements. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency implement procedures to ensure that subrecipient program agreements include all information required to be communicated. Management Response: NDOT concurs with finding and will review all current active agreements to ensure notification of each federal subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient.
Program: AL 21.026 ? COVID-19 Homeowner Assistance Fund ? Subrecipient Monitoring Grant Number & Year: N/A Federal Grantor Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Criteria: Per 2 CFR ? 1000.10 (January 1, 2022), the U.S. Department of the Treasury adopted the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements set forth at 2 CFR part 200. 2 CFR ? 200.332 (January 1, 2022) states the following, in relevant part: All pass through entities must: (a) Ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward. Required information includes: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier); (ii) Subrecipient?s unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); (iv) Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency; (v) Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; (vi) Subaward Budget Period Start and End Date; (vii) Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient; (viii) Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation; (ix) Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity; (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); (xi) Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the Pass-through entity; (xii) Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement; (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D; and (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414. * * * * (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. 2 CFR ? 200.333 (January 1, 2022) states the following: With prior written approval from the Federal awarding agency, a pass-through entity may provide subawards based on fixed amounts up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, provided that the subawards meet the requirements for fixed amount awards in ?200.201. 2 CFR ? 200.201 (January 1, 2022) states the following, in relevant part: (b) Fixed amount awards. In addition to the options described in paragraph (a) of this section, Federal awarding agencies, or pass-through entities as permitted in ? 200.333, may use fixed amount awards (see Fixed amount awards in ? 200.1) to which the following conditions apply: (1) The Federal award amount is negotiated using the cost principles (or other pricing information) as a guide. The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may use fixed amount awards if the project scope has measurable goals and objectives and if adequate cost, historical, or unit pricing data is available to establish a fixed amount award based on a reasonable estimate of actual cost. . . . Good internal controls require procedures for the proper maintenance of program documents. Condition: The Agency lacked adequate procedures for monitoring subrecipients. Repeat Finding: No Questioned Costs: $451,851 known Statistical Sample: No Context: On November 2, 2021, the Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) to assist the Agency in carrying out the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program. The Agency agreed to pay NIFA an amount not to exceed $1,200,000 for services during the initial contract period of November 1, 2021, through January 31, 2023. This included: 1) a flat fee of $78,348 for delivery of an accepted HAF Plan; 2) a flat fee of $90,700 for implementation of the Program, payable the month following program launch; and 3) $69,081 per month, beginning February 2022, for ongoing project administration. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the Agency paid NIFA $451,581. We noted the following: ? The Agency did not have controls and procedures in place to ensure that subrecipient requirements were met. ? The Agency did not communicate the Federal award identification items required by 2 CFR ? 200.332. ? NIFA was to be paid fixed amounts; however, prior written approval of these fixed-amount payments, as required by 2 CFR ? 200.333, could not be provided. In addition, the Agency did not have adequate support to ensure that the amounts paid were reasonable, as required by 2 CFR ? 200.201. Furthermore, per an Employee Time Summary report, the actual cost for February through June 2022 was $152,301, compared to the $345,404 billed and paid for monthly services. Cause: Inadequate procedures. Effect: Increased risk of fraud and non-compliance with Federal guidelines. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency implement procedures to ensure that Federal guidelines are followed, and controls are in place for subrecipient monitoring. Management Response: The Military Department disagrees with this finding. The Military Department does require NIFA to comply with 2 CFR 200 and executes procedures and controls to ensure the Federal guidelines are followed. These include (but are not limited to) weekly program updates, monthly reporting of plan metrics, compliance reviews, monthly manpower evaluations of NIFA personnel against invoices to substantiate project management supporting the program and reasonableness of administration fees. In addition, the MOU with NIFA was amended to require monthly manpower evaluations to substantiate the monthly fee for project management and administration of the program beginning with July 2022 invoicing, thus changing from a flat fee to actual costs incurred. APA Response: Per 2 CFR ? 1000.10 (January 1, 2022), the U.S. Department of the Treasury adopted the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements set forth at 2 CFR part 200; therefore, the Agency is required to follow 2 CFR part 200. Payments during fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, were made under a fixed amount subaward. Fixed amount subawards are allowable only with prior written approval from the Federal awarding agency. The failure to communicate items required by 2 CFR ? 200.332 (January 1, 2022) illustrates further the inadequacy of Agency procedures.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 21.027, Department of Treasury, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - N/A Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Per 2 CFR 200.332 (a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and, if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the federal award and subaward. Required information includes the following: (1) Federal award identification (i) Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier) (ii) Subrecipient's unique entity identifier (iii) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) (iv) Federal award date (see the definition of federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the federal agency (v) Subaward period of performance start and end date (vi) Subaward budget period start and end date (vii) Amount of federal funds obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient (viii) Total amount of federal funds obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity, including the current financial obligation (ix) Total amount of the federal award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity (x) Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) (xi) Name of federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass-through entity (xii) Assistance Listing Numbers and title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each federal award and the Assistance Listing Numbers at time of disbursement (xiii) Identification of whether the award is R&D (xiv) Indirect cost rate for the federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per ? 200.414 Condition - The CSLFRF subrecipient agreements did not include the CSLFRF assistance Listing Number (ALN), as required per 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1)(xii). Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - During the fiscal year, the City passed through CSLFRF funding to three subrecipients. The agreements with the subrecipients included a reference to the applicable regulations provided by the Treasury and all the elements outlined under 2 CFR 200.331 (a)(1) with the exception of the ALN. Cause and Effect - The City?s controls did not ensure that the subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 (a)(1). The lack of information could result in noncompliance by the subrecipient, as well as incorrect SEFA reporting. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement adequate controls to ensure subrecipient agreements included all the required elements, as outlined under 2 CFR 200.332 a)(1). Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City has implemented a process to ensure that all subrecipient agreements contain the federal ALN, as required by 2 CFR 200.332. All subrecipient agreements will include a new exhibit as an attachment in the agreement that will include the ALN and any other required grant elements.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 93.914, Department of Health and Human Services, HIV Emergency Relief Project Grants Federal Award Identification Number and Year - H89HA00021 29-01, H89HA00021-30-00 Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Criteria Per 2 CFR 200.331 (b) Contractors. A contract is for the purpose of obtaining goods and services for the nonfederal entity's own use and creates a procurement relationship with the contractor. See the definition of contract in ? 200.1 of this part. Characteristics indicative of a procurement relationship between the nonfederal entity and a contractor are when the contractor: (1) Provides the goods and services within normal business operations (2) Provides similar goods or services to many different purchasers (3) Normally operates in a competitive environment (4) Provides goods or services that are ancillary to the operation of the Federal program (5) Is not subject to compliance requirements of the federal program as a result of the agreement, though similar requirements may apply for other reasons Condition - We noted that the City?s contractor was a party to the agreements with the City?s subrecipients. Based on the definition of a subaward as defined by Uniform Guidance (UG), a subaward is provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received by the pass-through entity. Further, a pass-through entity is defined as a nonfederal entity that provides a subaward to a subrecipient to carry out part of a federal program. A contractor is not a pass-through entity. Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - The City?s contractor selected the City?s 15 subrecipients and entered into a subaward agreement with each of them. In addition to the contractor?s signature, the City was also a signer of the agreement. It was noted that the City performed the monitoring of the 15 subrecipients as required by UG. Cause and Effect - The City?s relationship with the contractor changed recently from a fiduciary relationship to a contractor relationship, and certain responsibilities that were more in line with a subrecipient characteristic were retained in the contract. The City is responsible for evaluating agreements to assess whether a subrecipient or contractor relationship exists. The inclusion of programmatic decisions within an agreement could result in an inappropriate conclusion as to whether a subrecipient or contractor relationship exists and the City not performing appropriate oversight procedures. Recommendation - We recommend that the City review the contract and ensure that the scope of services excludes responsibilities that might apply to a subrecipient rather than a contractor and verify that adequate oversight controls are in place. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City will implement a process to ensure that its contractors do not enter into subrecipient agreements on behalf of the City. This will be monitored by ensuring that the contractors scope of work does not include solicitating and contracting with organizations as subrecipients. The City will issue its own Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) application and directly enter into subrecipient agreements with qualified organizations.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 93.914, Department of Health and Human Services, HIV Emergency Relief Project Grants Federal Award Identification Number and Year - H89HA00021 29-01, H89HA00021-30-00 Pass-through Entity - N/A Finding Type - Significant deficiency Repeat Finding - No Criteria - Criteria Per 2 CFR 200.331 (b) Contractors. A contract is for the purpose of obtaining goods and services for the nonfederal entity's own use and creates a procurement relationship with the contractor. See the definition of contract in ? 200.1 of this part. Characteristics indicative of a procurement relationship between the nonfederal entity and a contractor are when the contractor: (1) Provides the goods and services within normal business operations (2) Provides similar goods or services to many different purchasers (3) Normally operates in a competitive environment (4) Provides goods or services that are ancillary to the operation of the Federal program (5) Is not subject to compliance requirements of the federal program as a result of the agreement, though similar requirements may apply for other reasons Condition - We noted that the City?s contractor was a party to the agreements with the City?s subrecipients. Based on the definition of a subaward as defined by Uniform Guidance (UG), a subaward is provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal award received by the pass-through entity. Further, a pass-through entity is defined as a nonfederal entity that provides a subaward to a subrecipient to carry out part of a federal program. A contractor is not a pass-through entity. Questioned Costs - None Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - The City?s contractor selected the City?s 15 subrecipients and entered into a subaward agreement with each of them. In addition to the contractor?s signature, the City was also a signer of the agreement. It was noted that the City performed the monitoring of the 15 subrecipients as required by UG. Cause and Effect - The City?s relationship with the contractor changed recently from a fiduciary relationship to a contractor relationship, and certain responsibilities that were more in line with a subrecipient characteristic were retained in the contract. The City is responsible for evaluating agreements to assess whether a subrecipient or contractor relationship exists. The inclusion of programmatic decisions within an agreement could result in an inappropriate conclusion as to whether a subrecipient or contractor relationship exists and the City not performing appropriate oversight procedures. Recommendation - We recommend that the City review the contract and ensure that the scope of services excludes responsibilities that might apply to a subrecipient rather than a contractor and verify that adequate oversight controls are in place. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City will implement a process to ensure that its contractors do not enter into subrecipient agreements on behalf of the City. This will be monitored by ensuring that the contractors scope of work does not include solicitating and contracting with organizations as subrecipients. The City will issue its own Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) application and directly enter into subrecipient agreements with qualified organizations.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY20-21, FY21-22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement When the value of procurement of property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, customarily set at $250,000, a formal bid process must take place and a contract must be awarded. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $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. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Indiana Code also requires any small purchase above $50,000 must be awarded a contract. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Small Purchases During fiscal year 2020-2021, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from four vendors with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. Two of the four vendors were above $50,000 and a contract was not awarded. During 2021-2022, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from one vendor with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. A contract was not awarded to this vendor. There was no documentation available to support the rationale to limit competition. Suspension and Debarment Non-federal entities and contractors are subject to non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or are ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. This is done by checking SAM Exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the School Corporation entered into a covered transaction with the Commercial Food Systems. They did not follow its procedures to ensure that the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(i) states: "The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states: "Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) . . . . (d) if the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY20-21, FY21-22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement When the value of procurement of property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, customarily set at $250,000, a formal bid process must take place and a contract must be awarded. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $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. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Indiana Code also requires any small purchase above $50,000 must be awarded a contract. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Small Purchases During fiscal year 2020-2021, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from four vendors with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. Two of the four vendors were above $50,000 and a contract was not awarded. During 2021-2022, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from one vendor with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. A contract was not awarded to this vendor. There was no documentation available to support the rationale to limit competition. Suspension and Debarment Non-federal entities and contractors are subject to non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or are ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. This is done by checking SAM Exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the School Corporation entered into a covered transaction with the Commercial Food Systems. They did not follow its procedures to ensure that the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(i) states: "The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states: "Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) . . . . (d) if the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY20-21, FY21-22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement When the value of procurement of property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, customarily set at $250,000, a formal bid process must take place and a contract must be awarded. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $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. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Indiana Code also requires any small purchase above $50,000 must be awarded a contract. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Small Purchases During fiscal year 2020-2021, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from four vendors with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. Two of the four vendors were above $50,000 and a contract was not awarded. During 2021-2022, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from one vendor with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. A contract was not awarded to this vendor. There was no documentation available to support the rationale to limit competition. Suspension and Debarment Non-federal entities and contractors are subject to non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or are ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. This is done by checking SAM Exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the School Corporation entered into a covered transaction with the Commercial Food Systems. They did not follow its procedures to ensure that the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(i) states: "The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states: "Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) . . . . (d) if the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY20-21, FY21-22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement When the value of procurement of property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, customarily set at $250,000, a formal bid process must take place and a contract must be awarded. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $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. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Indiana Code also requires any small purchase above $50,000 must be awarded a contract. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Small Purchases During fiscal year 2020-2021, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from four vendors with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. Two of the four vendors were above $50,000 and a contract was not awarded. During 2021-2022, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from one vendor with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. A contract was not awarded to this vendor. There was no documentation available to support the rationale to limit competition. Suspension and Debarment Non-federal entities and contractors are subject to non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or are ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. This is done by checking SAM Exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the School Corporation entered into a covered transaction with the Commercial Food Systems. They did not follow its procedures to ensure that the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(i) states: "The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states: "Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) . . . . (d) if the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY20-21, FY21-22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement When the value of procurement of property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, customarily set at $250,000, a formal bid process must take place and a contract must be awarded. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $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. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Indiana Code also requires any small purchase above $50,000 must be awarded a contract. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Small Purchases During fiscal year 2020-2021, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from four vendors with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. Two of the four vendors were above $50,000 and a contract was not awarded. During 2021-2022, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from one vendor with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. A contract was not awarded to this vendor. There was no documentation available to support the rationale to limit competition. Suspension and Debarment Non-federal entities and contractors are subject to non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or are ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. This is done by checking SAM Exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the School Corporation entered into a covered transaction with the Commercial Food Systems. They did not follow its procedures to ensure that the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(i) states: "The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states: "Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) . . . . (d) if the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY20-21, FY21-22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement When the value of procurement of property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, customarily set at $250,000, a formal bid process must take place and a contract must be awarded. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $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. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Indiana Code also requires any small purchase above $50,000 must be awarded a contract. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Small Purchases During fiscal year 2020-2021, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from four vendors with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. Two of the four vendors were above $50,000 and a contract was not awarded. During 2021-2022, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from one vendor with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. A contract was not awarded to this vendor. There was no documentation available to support the rationale to limit competition. Suspension and Debarment Non-federal entities and contractors are subject to non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or are ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. This is done by checking SAM Exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the School Corporation entered into a covered transaction with the Commercial Food Systems. They did not follow its procedures to ensure that the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(i) states: "The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states: "Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) . . . . (d) if the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY20-21, FY21-22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement When the value of procurement of property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, customarily set at $250,000, a formal bid process must take place and a contract must be awarded. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $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. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Indiana Code also requires any small purchase above $50,000 must be awarded a contract. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Small Purchases During fiscal year 2020-2021, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from four vendors with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. Two of the four vendors were above $50,000 and a contract was not awarded. During 2021-2022, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from one vendor with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. A contract was not awarded to this vendor. There was no documentation available to support the rationale to limit competition. Suspension and Debarment Non-federal entities and contractors are subject to non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or are ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. This is done by checking SAM Exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the School Corporation entered into a covered transaction with the Commercial Food Systems. They did not follow its procedures to ensure that the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(i) states: "The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states: "Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) . . . . (d) if the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-002 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY20-21, FY21-22 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement When the value of procurement of property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, customarily set at $250,000, a formal bid process must take place and a contract must be awarded. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $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. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Indiana Code also requires any small purchase above $50,000 must be awarded a contract. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Small Purchases During fiscal year 2020-2021, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from four vendors with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. Two of the four vendors were above $50,000 and a contract was not awarded. During 2021-2022, the School Corporation purchased food and supply items from one vendor with total purchases that fell within the small purchase threshold without obtaining quotes or providing full and open competition. A contract was not awarded to this vendor. There was no documentation available to support the rationale to limit competition. Suspension and Debarment Non-federal entities and contractors are subject to non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or are ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. This is done by checking SAM Exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the School Corporation entered into a covered transaction with the Commercial Food Systems. They did not follow its procedures to ensure that the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from or eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(i) states: "The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.320(b) (Uniform Guidance) states: "Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) . . . . (d) if the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 EAST WASHINGTON SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2021, FY 2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2020-012. Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure the purchasing method used complied with federal and state requirements. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for two vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micropurchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. The School Corporation did not obtain a contract for these two vendors as required by Indiana Code for purchases between $50,000 and $150,000. Additionally, documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit for both purchases made using the small purchases and micro-purchases procurement methods. Suspension and Debarment There were no internal controls in place to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs. The School Corporation did not perform any procedures to verify that vendors paid with federal grant monies were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs before entering into a covered transaction. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in ?? 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2021, FY 2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2020-012. Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure the purchasing method used complied with federal and state requirements. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for two vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micropurchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. The School Corporation did not obtain a contract for these two vendors as required by Indiana Code for purchases between $50,000 and $150,000. Additionally, documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit for both purchases made using the small purchases and micro-purchases procurement methods. Suspension and Debarment There were no internal controls in place to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs. The School Corporation did not perform any procedures to verify that vendors paid with federal grant monies were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs before entering into a covered transaction. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in ?? 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2021, FY 2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2020-012. Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure the purchasing method used complied with federal and state requirements. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for two vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micropurchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. The School Corporation did not obtain a contract for these two vendors as required by Indiana Code for purchases between $50,000 and $150,000. Additionally, documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit for both purchases made using the small purchases and micro-purchases procurement methods. Suspension and Debarment There were no internal controls in place to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs. The School Corporation did not perform any procedures to verify that vendors paid with federal grant monies were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs before entering into a covered transaction. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in ?? 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2021, FY 2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2020-012. Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure the purchasing method used complied with federal and state requirements. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for two vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micropurchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. The School Corporation did not obtain a contract for these two vendors as required by Indiana Code for purchases between $50,000 and $150,000. Additionally, documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit for both purchases made using the small purchases and micro-purchases procurement methods. Suspension and Debarment There were no internal controls in place to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs. The School Corporation did not perform any procedures to verify that vendors paid with federal grant monies were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs before entering into a covered transaction. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in ?? 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2021, FY 2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2020-012. Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure the purchasing method used complied with federal and state requirements. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for two vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micropurchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. The School Corporation did not obtain a contract for these two vendors as required by Indiana Code for purchases between $50,000 and $150,000. Additionally, documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit for both purchases made using the small purchases and micro-purchases procurement methods. Suspension and Debarment There were no internal controls in place to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs. The School Corporation did not perform any procedures to verify that vendors paid with federal grant monies were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs before entering into a covered transaction. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in ?? 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2021, FY 2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2020-012. Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure the purchasing method used complied with federal and state requirements. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for two vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micropurchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. The School Corporation did not obtain a contract for these two vendors as required by Indiana Code for purchases between $50,000 and $150,000. Additionally, documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit for both purchases made using the small purchases and micro-purchases procurement methods. Suspension and Debarment There were no internal controls in place to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs. The School Corporation did not perform any procedures to verify that vendors paid with federal grant monies were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs before entering into a covered transaction. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in ?? 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2021, FY 2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2020-012. Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure the purchasing method used complied with federal and state requirements. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for two vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micropurchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. The School Corporation did not obtain a contract for these two vendors as required by Indiana Code for purchases between $50,000 and $150,000. Additionally, documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit for both purchases made using the small purchases and micro-purchases procurement methods. Suspension and Debarment There were no internal controls in place to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs. The School Corporation did not perform any procedures to verify that vendors paid with federal grant monies were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs before entering into a covered transaction. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in ?? 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2021, FY 2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2020-012. Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure the purchasing method used complied with federal and state requirements. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for two vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micropurchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. The School Corporation did not obtain a contract for these two vendors as required by Indiana Code for purchases between $50,000 and $150,000. Additionally, documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit for both purchases made using the small purchases and micro-purchases procurement methods. Suspension and Debarment There were no internal controls in place to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs. The School Corporation did not perform any procedures to verify that vendors paid with federal grant monies were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs before entering into a covered transaction. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in ?? 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-004 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, COVID-19 - School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, COVID-19 - National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children, COVID-19 - Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2021, FY 2022 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 27 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2020-012. Condition and Context An effective system of internal controls was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is 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. The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure the purchasing method used complied with federal and state requirements. The School Corporation did not obtain price or rate quotes for two vendors tested that were less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $10,000 micro-purchase threshold. The micropurchase threshold may be increased, but the School Corporation did not provide documentation that the threshold had been increased. The School Corporation did not obtain a contract for these two vendors as required by Indiana Code for purchases between $50,000 and $150,000. Additionally, documentation detailing the history of procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used, was not available for audit for both purchases made using the small purchases and micro-purchases procurement methods. Suspension and Debarment There were no internal controls in place to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs. The School Corporation did not perform any procedures to verify that vendors paid with federal grant monies were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs before entering into a covered transaction. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 28 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in ?? 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use document procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and ?? 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT), as defined in ? 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases - (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 29 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-010 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-138-PN01, 21619-138-PN01, 22611-138-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and the Period of Performance compliance requirements. The School Corporation had not established an effective system of internal controls to ensure that proper documentation was retained for audit. The School Corporation was unable to provide supporting documentation for one of the two journal entries tested. For the one journal entry, we were unable to determine if the Special Education fund transfers in, totaling $619,180, and transfers out, totaling $554,684, were for allowable activities and costs for the program. In addition, we were unable to determine if the transfers were for transactions that occurred within the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and the failure to retain supporting documentation was isolated to the transfers noted above. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 40 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.333 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 2 CFR 200.334 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 34 CFR 300.202(a) states: "General. Amounts provided to the LEA under Part B of the Act - (1) Must be expended in accordance with the applicable provisions of this part; (2) Must be used only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, consistent with paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds." 34 CFR 300.208 states: "(a) Uses. Notwithstanding ?? 300.202, 300.203(b), and 300.162(b), funds provided to an LEA under Part B of the Act may be used for the following activities: (1) Services and aids that also benefit nondisabled children. For the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child, even if one or more nondisabled children benefit from these services. (2) Early intervening services. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in accordance with ? 300.226. (3) High cost special education and related services. To establish and implement cost or risk sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the LEA itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the LEA is a part, to pay for high cost special education and related services. (b) Administrative case management. An LEA may use funds received under Part B of the Act to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP of children with disabilities, that is needed for the implementation of those case management activities." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 41 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 34 CFR 300.800 states: "The Secretary provides grants under section 619 of the Act to assist States to provide special education and related services in accordance with Part B of the Act ? (a) To children with disabilities aged three through five years; and (b) At a State's discretion, to two-year-old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.77 (Uniform Guidance) states: "Period of performance means the time during which the non-Federal entity may incur new obligations to carry out the work authorized under the Federal award. The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity must include start and end dates of the period of performance in the Federal award (see ?? 200.210 Information contained in a Federal award paragraph (a)(5) and 200.331 Requirements for pass-through entities, paragraph (a)(1)(iv))." 2 CFR 200.1 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: ". . . Period of performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or budget periods. Identification of the period of performance in the Federal award per ? 200.211(b)(5) does not commit the awarding agency to fund the award beyond the currently approved budget period. . . ." 2 CFR 200.309 (Uniform Guidance) states: "A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity." 2CFR 200.309 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states: "If a Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity approves an extension, or if a recipient extends under ? 200.308(e)(2), the Period of Performance will be amended to end at the completion of the extension. If a termination occurs, the Period of Performance will be amended to end upon the effective date of termination. If a renewal award is issued, a distinct Period of Performance will begin." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 42 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance, or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and made available for audit, related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and the Period of Performance compliance requirements. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls and to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with compliance requirements listed above. Questioned Costs Known questioned costs of $1,173,864 were identified, as detailed in Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure documentation will be maintained and made available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and the Period of Performance compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-010 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-138-PN01, 21619-138-PN01, 22611-138-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and the Period of Performance compliance requirements. The School Corporation had not established an effective system of internal controls to ensure that proper documentation was retained for audit. The School Corporation was unable to provide supporting documentation for one of the two journal entries tested. For the one journal entry, we were unable to determine if the Special Education fund transfers in, totaling $619,180, and transfers out, totaling $554,684, were for allowable activities and costs for the program. In addition, we were unable to determine if the transfers were for transactions that occurred within the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and the failure to retain supporting documentation was isolated to the transfers noted above. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 40 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.333 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 2 CFR 200.334 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 34 CFR 300.202(a) states: "General. Amounts provided to the LEA under Part B of the Act - (1) Must be expended in accordance with the applicable provisions of this part; (2) Must be used only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, consistent with paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds." 34 CFR 300.208 states: "(a) Uses. Notwithstanding ?? 300.202, 300.203(b), and 300.162(b), funds provided to an LEA under Part B of the Act may be used for the following activities: (1) Services and aids that also benefit nondisabled children. For the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child, even if one or more nondisabled children benefit from these services. (2) Early intervening services. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in accordance with ? 300.226. (3) High cost special education and related services. To establish and implement cost or risk sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the LEA itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the LEA is a part, to pay for high cost special education and related services. (b) Administrative case management. An LEA may use funds received under Part B of the Act to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP of children with disabilities, that is needed for the implementation of those case management activities." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 41 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 34 CFR 300.800 states: "The Secretary provides grants under section 619 of the Act to assist States to provide special education and related services in accordance with Part B of the Act ? (a) To children with disabilities aged three through five years; and (b) At a State's discretion, to two-year-old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.77 (Uniform Guidance) states: "Period of performance means the time during which the non-Federal entity may incur new obligations to carry out the work authorized under the Federal award. The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity must include start and end dates of the period of performance in the Federal award (see ?? 200.210 Information contained in a Federal award paragraph (a)(5) and 200.331 Requirements for pass-through entities, paragraph (a)(1)(iv))." 2 CFR 200.1 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: ". . . Period of performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or budget periods. Identification of the period of performance in the Federal award per ? 200.211(b)(5) does not commit the awarding agency to fund the award beyond the currently approved budget period. . . ." 2 CFR 200.309 (Uniform Guidance) states: "A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity." 2CFR 200.309 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states: "If a Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity approves an extension, or if a recipient extends under ? 200.308(e)(2), the Period of Performance will be amended to end at the completion of the extension. If a termination occurs, the Period of Performance will be amended to end upon the effective date of termination. If a renewal award is issued, a distinct Period of Performance will begin." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 42 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance, or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and made available for audit, related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and the Period of Performance compliance requirements. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls and to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with compliance requirements listed above. Questioned Costs Known questioned costs of $1,173,864 were identified, as detailed in Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure documentation will be maintained and made available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and the Period of Performance compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2022-010 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Period of Performance Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: Special Education Grants to States, Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027, 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 21611-138-PN01, 21619-138-PN01, 22611-138-PN01 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Period of Performance Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and the Period of Performance compliance requirements. The School Corporation had not established an effective system of internal controls to ensure that proper documentation was retained for audit. The School Corporation was unable to provide supporting documentation for one of the two journal entries tested. For the one journal entry, we were unable to determine if the Special Education fund transfers in, totaling $619,180, and transfers out, totaling $554,684, were for allowable activities and costs for the program. In addition, we were unable to determine if the transfers were for transactions that occurred within the period of performance. The lack of internal controls and the failure to retain supporting documentation was isolated to the transfers noted above. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) 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. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 40 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.333 (Uniform Guidance) states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 2 CFR 200.334 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." 34 CFR 300.202(a) states: "General. Amounts provided to the LEA under Part B of the Act - (1) Must be expended in accordance with the applicable provisions of this part; (2) Must be used only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, consistent with paragraph (b) of this section; and (3) Must be used to supplement State, local, and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds." 34 CFR 300.208 states: "(a) Uses. Notwithstanding ?? 300.202, 300.203(b), and 300.162(b), funds provided to an LEA under Part B of the Act may be used for the following activities: (1) Services and aids that also benefit nondisabled children. For the costs of special education and related services, and supplementary aids and services, provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child, even if one or more nondisabled children benefit from these services. (2) Early intervening services. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening educational services in accordance with ? 300.226. (3) High cost special education and related services. To establish and implement cost or risk sharing funds, consortia, or cooperatives for the LEA itself, or for LEAs working in a consortium of which the LEA is a part, to pay for high cost special education and related services. (b) Administrative case management. An LEA may use funds received under Part B of the Act to purchase appropriate technology for recordkeeping, data collection, and related case management activities of teachers and related services personnel providing services described in the IEP of children with disabilities, that is needed for the implementation of those case management activities." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 41 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 34 CFR 300.800 states: "The Secretary provides grants under section 619 of the Act to assist States to provide special education and related services in accordance with Part B of the Act ? (a) To children with disabilities aged three through five years; and (b) At a State's discretion, to two-year-old children with disabilities who will turn three during the school year." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.77 (Uniform Guidance) states: "Period of performance means the time during which the non-Federal entity may incur new obligations to carry out the work authorized under the Federal award. The Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity must include start and end dates of the period of performance in the Federal award (see ?? 200.210 Information contained in a Federal award paragraph (a)(5) and 200.331 Requirements for pass-through entities, paragraph (a)(1)(iv))." 2 CFR 200.1 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states in part: ". . . Period of performance means the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or budget periods. Identification of the period of performance in the Federal award per ? 200.211(b)(5) does not commit the awarding agency to fund the award beyond the currently approved budget period. . . ." 2 CFR 200.309 (Uniform Guidance) states: "A non-Federal entity may charge to the Federal award only allowable costs incurred during the period of performance (except as described in ? 200.461 Publication and printing costs) and any costs incurred before the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity made the Federal award that were authorized by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity." 2CFR 200.309 (Revised Uniform Guidance) states: "If a Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity approves an extension, or if a recipient extends under ? 200.308(e)(2), the Period of Performance will be amended to end at the completion of the extension. If a termination occurs, the Period of Performance will be amended to end upon the effective date of termination. If a renewal award is issued, a distinct Period of Performance will begin." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 42 SCOTT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause Management had not developed nor implemented a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance, or that supporting documentation would have been maintained and made available for audit, related to the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and the Period of Performance compliance requirements. Effect The failure to establish an effective system of internal controls and to retain and provide appropriate supporting documentation prevented the determination of the School Corporation's compliance with compliance requirements listed above. Questioned Costs Known questioned costs of $1,173,864 were identified, as detailed in Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls to ensure documentation will be maintained and made available for audit and comply with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed, the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and the Period of Performance compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Criteria or specific requirement: According to ? 2 CFR 200.303, Internal Controls, the non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control 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. According to 2 CFR 200.1, Period of Performance is defined as the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or budget periods. Condition: ? 93.958 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $50,701. ? 93.243 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $5,233. Questioned costs: None. Context: We noted the Organization is not in compliance with requirements related to the period of performance. Cause: The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization update their method of allocating expenditures to federal awards based on the incurred date, rather than paid date. Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the audit finding. As the previous process for grant salary, fringe, and indirect billings was based on salary paid date this resulted in expenses on certain grants being allocated prior to the period of performance. While this was at least in part offset by eligible grant expenses not being billed at the end of the grant period, it was not in compliance with 2 CFR 200.1 for period of performance. The CFO, supported by the Controller and Grants Manager, will immediately update the controls and grants billing processes to be based on incurred date rather than paid date.
Criteria or specific requirement: According to ? 2 CFR 200.303, Internal Controls, the non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control 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. According to 2 CFR 200.1, Period of Performance is defined as the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or budget periods. Condition: ? 93.958 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $50,701. ? 93.243 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $5,233. Questioned costs: None. Context: We noted the Organization is not in compliance with requirements related to the period of performance. Cause: The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization update their method of allocating expenditures to federal awards based on the incurred date, rather than paid date. Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the audit finding. As the previous process for grant salary, fringe, and indirect billings was based on salary paid date this resulted in expenses on certain grants being allocated prior to the period of performance. While this was at least in part offset by eligible grant expenses not being billed at the end of the grant period, it was not in compliance with 2 CFR 200.1 for period of performance. The CFO, supported by the Controller and Grants Manager, will immediately update the controls and grants billing processes to be based on incurred date rather than paid date.
Criteria or specific requirement: According to ? 2 CFR 200.303, Internal Controls, the non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control 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. According to 2 CFR 200.1, Period of Performance is defined as the total estimated time interval between the start of an initial Federal award and the planned end date, which may include one or more funded portions, or budget periods. Condition: ? 93.958 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $50,701. ? 93.243 o The Organization began allocating direct salaries, fringe, and indirect expenditures prior to the awards period of performance. The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Total direct salaries, fringe and indirect expenditures allocated to the grant prior to the period of performance was approximately $5,233. Questioned costs: None. Context: We noted the Organization is not in compliance with requirements related to the period of performance. Cause: The Organization allocated expenditures based on the paid date, rather than the incurred period. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization update their method of allocating expenditures to federal awards based on the incurred date, rather than paid date. Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the audit finding. As the previous process for grant salary, fringe, and indirect billings was based on salary paid date this resulted in expenses on certain grants being allocated prior to the period of performance. While this was at least in part offset by eligible grant expenses not being billed at the end of the grant period, it was not in compliance with 2 CFR 200.1 for period of performance. The CFO, supported by the Controller and Grants Manager, will immediately update the controls and grants billing processes to be based on incurred date rather than paid date.
Finding 2022-066 Research and Development Cluster Subrecipient Monitoring Compliance Requirement The federal government sponsors research and development (R&D) activities under a variety of types of awards, most commonly grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, to achieve objectives agreed upon between the federal awarding agency and the non-federal entity. The types of R&D conducted under these awards vary greatly. The objective of an individual project is explained in the federal award letter. R&D activities at the University are subject to federal subrecipient monitoring requirements. Under these requirements, the University is required to monitor its subrecipients to ensure they use funds in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and terms of the award. A subrecipient is defined in federal regulations [2 CFR 200.1] as ?an entity, usually but not limited to non-Federal entities, that receives a subaward from a pass-through entity to carry out part of a federal award; but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary of such award. A subrecipient may also be a recipient of other Federal awards directly from a federal awarding agency.? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.1] define a subaward as an award provided by a pass-through entity, in this case the University, to an entity to carry out part of a Federal grant award received by the pass-through entity. As part of its subrecipient monitoring process, the University uses a subrecipient monitoring checklist that includes a variety of checkpoints, including whether an approved budget is in place and reviewed: whether the subrecipient had an audit, if applicable, and whether that audit has been reviewed; and whether a risk assessment related to a subrecipient?s potential noncompliance has been performed. During Fiscal Year 2022, the University?s three campuses in total expended approximately $916 million in R&D grant funds: $504 million, $406 million, and $6 million from the Boulder, Denver, and UCCS campuses, respectively. The University passed approximately $120 million to 1,325 subrecipients including other universities and non-profit organizations, to assist in the performance of a wide-range of projects such as research into learning disabilities or the advancement of scientific discovery, or other research related projects. What was the purpose of our audit work and what work was performed? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the University?s campuses had adequate internal controls in place over, and complied with, the R&D?s subrecipient monitoring requirements for Fiscal Year 2022. As part of our audit work, we tested 40 subrecipients to determine whether the University campuses? performed the subrecipient risk assessments related to a subrecipient?s potential noncompliance as required by federal regulations. How were the results of the audit work measured? We measured the results of our audit work against the following requirements: ? Federal regulation 2 CFR 200.331(b) requires that the University?s campuses, as federal grant recipients, must ?evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring.? ? The Boulder campus? policy states that monitoring the subaward is a ?collaborative effort? made in both Central Administration as well as in the departments through the Principal Investigator and their supporting Department Administrator.? Completion of a risk analysis and the subrecipient monitoring checklist is listed among the responsibilities of the Central Office. What problem did the audit work identify? The Boulder campus did not perform a risk assessment for six out of the 40 subrecipients we tested (15 percent). However, the campus did perform other monitoring procedures over these subrecipients as the risk assessment process is one procedure in the overall subrecipient monitoring process. Why did this problem occur? The University did not have adequate internal controls in place for monitoring its subrecipients. Specifically, the University?s Boulder campus did not ensure that staff reviewed the subrecipient monitoring checklist in all instances to ensure all appropriate steps were completed, including risk assessments. University personnel indicated that proper staffing was not in place and specific monitoring of risk assessments was not being performed. Why does this problem matter? The University is obligated to adhere to specified requirements as outlined in federal regulations and the respective award agreement. By failing to adhere to the requirements for subrecipient monitoring, the University risks performing inadequate or inappropriate monitoring procedures and thereby increases the risk of subawards being used for unauthorized purposes. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Recommendation 2022-066 The University of Colorado?s Boulder campus should strengthen its internal controls over, and ensure compliance with, federal subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Research and Development Cluster grant programs by enforcing required reviews of the subrecipient checklist for completeness to ensure all of the appropriate steps are completed, including risk assessments, and by ensuring that appropriate levels of staff are assigned responsibility for the reviews. Response University of Colorado Agree Implementation Date: November 2022 Management agrees with the recommendation. Due to hiring of new staff and an internal audit with similar findings, these actions were in process and implemented as of November 2022. These actions are part of the Sub Team?s standard operating processes and will continue. The proposed corrective action plan is as follows: ? The hiring of new team members in 2022; all team members trained on subcontracting processes and documentation requirements with an emphasis on following standard baseline procedures. ? New Subcontract Administrator (SCA) position tasked with compiling final packets for each sub, which includes a quality check to ensure all documents and signatures required are included. ? Use of subcontract checklist and risk assessments required and consistently done by the team.
Finding 2022-066 Research and Development Cluster Subrecipient Monitoring Compliance Requirement The federal government sponsors research and development (R&D) activities under a variety of types of awards, most commonly grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, to achieve objectives agreed upon between the federal awarding agency and the non-federal entity. The types of R&D conducted under these awards vary greatly. The objective of an individual project is explained in the federal award letter. R&D activities at the University are subject to federal subrecipient monitoring requirements. Under these requirements, the University is required to monitor its subrecipients to ensure they use funds in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and terms of the award. A subrecipient is defined in federal regulations [2 CFR 200.1] as ?an entity, usually but not limited to non-Federal entities, that receives a subaward from a pass-through entity to carry out part of a federal award; but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary of such award. A subrecipient may also be a recipient of other Federal awards directly from a federal awarding agency.? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.1] define a subaward as an award provided by a pass-through entity, in this case the University, to an entity to carry out part of a Federal grant award received by the pass-through entity. As part of its subrecipient monitoring process, the University uses a subrecipient monitoring checklist that includes a variety of checkpoints, including whether an approved budget is in place and reviewed: whether the subrecipient had an audit, if applicable, and whether that audit has been reviewed; and whether a risk assessment related to a subrecipient?s potential noncompliance has been performed. During Fiscal Year 2022, the University?s three campuses in total expended approximately $916 million in R&D grant funds: $504 million, $406 million, and $6 million from the Boulder, Denver, and UCCS campuses, respectively. The University passed approximately $120 million to 1,325 subrecipients including other universities and non-profit organizations, to assist in the performance of a wide-range of projects such as research into learning disabilities or the advancement of scientific discovery, or other research related projects. What was the purpose of our audit work and what work was performed? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the University?s campuses had adequate internal controls in place over, and complied with, the R&D?s subrecipient monitoring requirements for Fiscal Year 2022. As part of our audit work, we tested 40 subrecipients to determine whether the University campuses? performed the subrecipient risk assessments related to a subrecipient?s potential noncompliance as required by federal regulations. How were the results of the audit work measured? We measured the results of our audit work against the following requirements: ? Federal regulation 2 CFR 200.331(b) requires that the University?s campuses, as federal grant recipients, must ?evaluate each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring.? ? The Boulder campus? policy states that monitoring the subaward is a ?collaborative effort? made in both Central Administration as well as in the departments through the Principal Investigator and their supporting Department Administrator.? Completion of a risk analysis and the subrecipient monitoring checklist is listed among the responsibilities of the Central Office. What problem did the audit work identify? The Boulder campus did not perform a risk assessment for six out of the 40 subrecipients we tested (15 percent). However, the campus did perform other monitoring procedures over these subrecipients as the risk assessment process is one procedure in the overall subrecipient monitoring process. Why did this problem occur? The University did not have adequate internal controls in place for monitoring its subrecipients. Specifically, the University?s Boulder campus did not ensure that staff reviewed the subrecipient monitoring checklist in all instances to ensure all appropriate steps were completed, including risk assessments. University personnel indicated that proper staffing was not in place and specific monitoring of risk assessments was not being performed. Why does this problem matter? The University is obligated to adhere to specified requirements as outlined in federal regulations and the respective award agreement. By failing to adhere to the requirements for subrecipient monitoring, the University risks performing inadequate or inappropriate monitoring procedures and thereby increases the risk of subawards being used for unauthorized purposes. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Recommendation 2022-066 The University of Colorado?s Boulder campus should strengthen its internal controls over, and ensure compliance with, federal subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Research and Development Cluster grant programs by enforcing required reviews of the subrecipient checklist for completeness to ensure all of the appropriate steps are completed, including risk assessments, and by ensuring that appropriate levels of staff are assigned responsibility for the reviews. Response University of Colorado Agree Implementation Date: November 2022 Management agrees with the recommendation. Due to hiring of new staff and an internal audit with similar findings, these actions were in process and implemented as of November 2022. These actions are part of the Sub Team?s standard operating processes and will continue. The proposed corrective action plan is as follows: ? The hiring of new team members in 2022; all team members trained on subcontracting processes and documentation requirements with an emphasis on following standard baseline procedures. ? New Subcontract Administrator (SCA) position tasked with compiling final packets for each sub, which includes a quality check to ensure all documents and signatures required are included. ? Use of subcontract checklist and risk assessments required and consistently done by the team.