2022-003 ? Formal Policies for Federal Awards Information on the Federal Program: U.S. Small Business Administration Assistance Listing Number: 59.008 Assistance Listing Name: Economic Injury Disaster Loan Criteria ? The Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Section ?200.300 and Section ?200.400 states in part: (1) The non-Federal entity is responsible for the efficient and effective administration of the Federal award through the application of sound management practices. (2) The non-Federal entity assumes responsibility for administering Federal funds in a manner consistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. (3) The non-Federal entity, in recognition of its own unique combination of staff, facilities, and experience, has the primary responsibility for employing whatever form of sound organization and management techniques may be necessary in order to assure proper and efficient administration of the Federal award. (4) The application of these cost principles should require no significant changes in the internal accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity. However, the accounting practices of the non-Federal entity must be consistent with these cost principles and support the accumulation of costs as required by the principles, and must provide for adequate documentation to support costs charged to the Federal award. (5) In reviewing, negotiating and approving cost allocation plans or indirect cost proposals, the cognizant agency for indirect costs should generally assure that the non-Federal entity is applying these cost accounting principles on a consistent basis during their review and negotiation of indirect cost proposals. Where wide variations exist in the treatment of a given cost item by the non-Federal entity, the reasonableness and equity of such treatments should be fully considered. See the definition of indirect (facilities & administrative (F&A)) costs in ? 200.1 of this part. (6) For non-Federal entities that educate and engage students in research, the dual role of students as both trainees and employees (including pre- and post-doctoral staff) contributing to the completion of Federal awards for research must be recognized in the application of these principles. (7) The non-Federal entity may not earn or keep any profit resulting from Federal financial assistance, unless explicitly authorized by the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition ? During the year ended August 31, 2022, the Center received additional EIDL funds. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center did not receive and spend federal dollars in excess of the limit that require a single audit to be performed. Due to the lack of expertise surrounding controls on Federal awards, the Center did not adopt and approve written policies surrounding Federal awards. Cause ? The written policies over Federal awards were not established during fiscal year 2022 and therefore the Center was not in compliance with CFR Section ?200.300 and Section ?200.400. Effect ? The Center was not able to provide written policies as required by CFR Section ?200.300 and Section ?200.400. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs related to the items described above. Context: The conditions outlined above are based on our testing of the Center?s major program. The nature of this finding is detailed in the condition section above. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation ? We recommend management attend federal award trainings to ensure the documented policies and procedures can be performed as necessary. This will ensure the Center is in compliance with compliance requirements surrounding Federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials ? Beck Center for the Arts concurs with the finding and the recommendation. Management with the Center?s Audit Committee will review and document policies and procedures for managing federal awards to supplement existing policies and procedures associated with awards from non-federal funders. The Center?s corrective action plan is described in Managements Corrective Action Plan included at page 42 of this reporting package.
2022-003 ? Formal Policies for Federal Awards Information on the Federal Program: U.S. Small Business Administration Assistance Listing Number: 59.008 Assistance Listing Name: Economic Injury Disaster Loan Criteria ? The Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Section ?200.300 and Section ?200.400 states in part: (1) The non-Federal entity is responsible for the efficient and effective administration of the Federal award through the application of sound management practices. (2) The non-Federal entity assumes responsibility for administering Federal funds in a manner consistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. (3) The non-Federal entity, in recognition of its own unique combination of staff, facilities, and experience, has the primary responsibility for employing whatever form of sound organization and management techniques may be necessary in order to assure proper and efficient administration of the Federal award. (4) The application of these cost principles should require no significant changes in the internal accounting policies and practices of the non-Federal entity. However, the accounting practices of the non-Federal entity must be consistent with these cost principles and support the accumulation of costs as required by the principles, and must provide for adequate documentation to support costs charged to the Federal award. (5) In reviewing, negotiating and approving cost allocation plans or indirect cost proposals, the cognizant agency for indirect costs should generally assure that the non-Federal entity is applying these cost accounting principles on a consistent basis during their review and negotiation of indirect cost proposals. Where wide variations exist in the treatment of a given cost item by the non-Federal entity, the reasonableness and equity of such treatments should be fully considered. See the definition of indirect (facilities & administrative (F&A)) costs in ? 200.1 of this part. (6) For non-Federal entities that educate and engage students in research, the dual role of students as both trainees and employees (including pre- and post-doctoral staff) contributing to the completion of Federal awards for research must be recognized in the application of these principles. (7) The non-Federal entity may not earn or keep any profit resulting from Federal financial assistance, unless explicitly authorized by the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition ? During the year ended August 31, 2022, the Center received additional EIDL funds. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center did not receive and spend federal dollars in excess of the limit that require a single audit to be performed. Due to the lack of expertise surrounding controls on Federal awards, the Center did not adopt and approve written policies surrounding Federal awards. Cause ? The written policies over Federal awards were not established during fiscal year 2022 and therefore the Center was not in compliance with CFR Section ?200.300 and Section ?200.400. Effect ? The Center was not able to provide written policies as required by CFR Section ?200.300 and Section ?200.400. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs related to the items described above. Context: The conditions outlined above are based on our testing of the Center?s major program. The nature of this finding is detailed in the condition section above. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation ? We recommend management attend federal award trainings to ensure the documented policies and procedures can be performed as necessary. This will ensure the Center is in compliance with compliance requirements surrounding Federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials ? Beck Center for the Arts concurs with the finding and the recommendation. Management with the Center?s Audit Committee will review and document policies and procedures for managing federal awards to supplement existing policies and procedures associated with awards from non-federal funders. The Center?s corrective action plan is described in Managements Corrective Action Plan included at page 42 of this reporting package.
Finding No. 2022–007 – Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Eligible Uses – FEMA Federal Program ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants – Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) Program Name of Federal Agency U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pass-through Entity Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) Category Non-compliance / Material weakness in internal controls over compliance Compliance Requirement Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Eligible Uses Criteria As per 2 CFR section 200.403(g), except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: • Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. • Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. • Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. • Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. • Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. • Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also § 200.306(b). • Be adequately documented. See also §§ 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. • Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3). Condition During the closeout procedures, the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) office performed a 100% validation on Rental Equipment, supporting documents including contract summary record, invoices, and proofs of payment. As a result of the validation, the total validated amount is $979,259 from an original amount of $1,260,775 submitted by the Corporation for reimbursement. Cause The Corporation claimed ineligible days in rent of equipment, certain invoices were claimed at a greater monthly rate, various expenses were claimed using retroactive memorandum of necessity as well as other transactions were found to not be eligible due to non-compliance with Puerto Rican Contract law, failing to comply with the proper documentation as required by the regulation. Effect The Corporation has to return a total amount of $281,516 due to the unallowed activities that were claimed to the fund. Questioned Cost The known questioned cost was calculated by the amount deemed to be unallowable activity of $281,516. Context • An amount of $26,127 was deducted from invoice #16307820 due to the dates 9/3/18 to 9/15/18 that falls in the 100% cost share." This amount was claimed under a different PW. • For chillers, invoice 16307877 was partially covered (15 days eligible), invoice 16308069 was partially covered (12 days eligible), and invoice 16308131 was partially covered (14 days eligible) due to the service order execution date. • For generators, invoices 16307884, 16307953, 16308033, 16308092, 16308146, 16308207, 16308270, 16308318, 16308357, 16308402, 16308449 and 16308476 were partially covered due to the maximum contract amount. • For generators, invoices 16307820, 16308622, 16308665, and 16308706 were found to not be eligible for reimbursement due to both retroactive execution as well as non-compliance with Puerto Rican Contract law. Identification of a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding from the immediate previous audit. Recommendation The management of the Corporation should reinforce its procedures of the administration of federal funds to ensure the compliance with the requirements with each program. Also, the Corporation should establish communication with the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency in order to obtain instructions for the correction of the non-compliance event and the related questioned cost. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions The Corporation’s management and responsible officers agree with this finding. Please refer to the corrective action plan section for the Corporation’s response on pages 89 to 98.
2022-108: Submit Required Reports Timely Applicable to: Virginia Employment Commission Prior Year Finding Number: 2021-086; 2020-091 Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency ALPT or Cluster Name and ALN: Unemployment Insurance - 17.225 (COVID-19) Federal Award Number and Year: UI233F2200 - 2022 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Type of Compliance Requirement - Criteria: Reporting - 2 CFR ? 200.300(b); Department of Labor Handbooks ETA 336 and 401 Known Questioned Costs: $0 The Commission did not submit monthly and quarterly Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Reports timely. There were multiple instances where the Commission did not submit reports by the required deadlines, including: ? Submitting one of twelve (8%) Unemployment Insurance Financial Transaction Summary (ETA 2112) reports seven days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Statement of Expenditures and Financial Adjustments of Federal Funds for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees and Ex- Service Members (ETA 191) reports 13 days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Overpayment Detection and Recovery Activities (ETA 227) reports 76 days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Quarterly Narrative Progress Reports (ETA 9178) four days late; ? Submitting one of twelve (8%) Time Lapse of All First Payments Except Workshare (ETA 9050) reports five days late; ? Not submitting one of four (25%) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Workload (ETA 9128) reports; and ? Not submitting four of four (100%) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Outcomes (ETA 9129) reports. Labor Handbook 401 requires specific filing dates for all reports. These reports provide information to Labor to measure the performance and effectiveness of various benefit programs. According to the grant agreement between the Commission and Labor, the Commission should submit its required reports to Labor in a timely manner and in accordance with Labor Handbook 401. Not submitting reports timely may cause delays in funding from Labor or suspension of funds needed for ongoing Commission operations. In addition, continued delays could result in additional federal oversight. The implementation of the new benefits system affected the Commission's ability to submit required ETA reports timely. Specifically, the Commission encountered errors when submitting several reports containing data from the internal benefits system, which the Commission was unable to resolve. Further, there are no specific policies and procedures outlining guidance for submission of specific reports. The Commission has continued to work with the system contractor to resolve any existing errors in order to successfully submit required federal reports. For reports not impacted by the internal benefits system implementation, management did not provide proper oversight to ensure timely filings due to competing work priorities. We encourage the Commission to continue working with the contractor to resolve any data issues in the benefits system. Also, management should exercise adequate oversight to ensure staff file all reports by the required due date. The Commission should also update internal policies and procedures for each required report to provide clear guidance for report submission and consequences for late filing. Views of Responsible Officials: Views of responsible officials are in the report related to their agency, which can be found at www.apa.virginia.gov. In summary, the views of responsible officials in the agency report do not express a disagreement with the finding.
2022-109: Submit Accurate Special Reports to Department of Labor Applicable to: Virginia Employment Commission Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency ALPT or Cluster Name and ALN: Unemployment Insurance - 17.225 (COVID-19) Federal Award Number and Year: UI233F2200 - 2022 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Type of Compliance Requirement - Criteria: Reporting - 2 CFR ? 200.300(b); Department of Labor Handbooks ETA 336 and 401 Known Questioned Costs: $0 The Commission did not accurately report activity on the Quarterly Unemployment Insurance Above-Base Report (ETA 2208A Report) for one of two (50%) quarters tested. The June 2022 quarterly report included amounts that were not in agreement with supporting documentation. Labor Handbook 336 requires that data reported must fairly and accurately represent the utilization of staff years and be traceable to supporting documentation. This special report provides information to Labor on the number of staff years worked and paid for various UI program categories to use in determining above-base entitlements. According to the grant agreement between the Commission and Labor, the Commission should submit its required reports to Labor in accordance with Labor Handbook 336. Submitting reports with inaccurate information may cause an incorrect determination of entitlements above employee base pay. The employee responsible for preparing the ETA 2208A Report identified typographical errors after submission of the report; however, the employee did not notify management of the errors. The employee incorrectly decided to revise and resubmit the report, without management's knowledge, based on the premise that the next quarterly report would reflect accurate year-to- date activity, resolving the error from the prior period. The Commission should properly train all employees responsible for report preparation. In addition, the Commission should update its policies and procedures to ensure employees notify management if they discover an error to determine if corrected reports require an updated submission. Views of Responsible Officials: Views of responsible officials are in the report related to their agency, which can be found at www.apa.virginia.gov. In summary, the views of responsible officials in the agency report do not express a disagreement with the finding.
2022-108: Submit Required Reports Timely Applicable to: Virginia Employment Commission Prior Year Finding Number: 2021-086; 2020-091 Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency ALPT or Cluster Name and ALN: Unemployment Insurance - 17.225 (COVID-19) Federal Award Number and Year: UI233F2200 - 2022 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Type of Compliance Requirement - Criteria: Reporting - 2 CFR ? 200.300(b); Department of Labor Handbooks ETA 336 and 401 Known Questioned Costs: $0 The Commission did not submit monthly and quarterly Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Reports timely. There were multiple instances where the Commission did not submit reports by the required deadlines, including: ? Submitting one of twelve (8%) Unemployment Insurance Financial Transaction Summary (ETA 2112) reports seven days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Statement of Expenditures and Financial Adjustments of Federal Funds for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees and Ex- Service Members (ETA 191) reports 13 days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Overpayment Detection and Recovery Activities (ETA 227) reports 76 days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Quarterly Narrative Progress Reports (ETA 9178) four days late; ? Submitting one of twelve (8%) Time Lapse of All First Payments Except Workshare (ETA 9050) reports five days late; ? Not submitting one of four (25%) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Workload (ETA 9128) reports; and ? Not submitting four of four (100%) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Outcomes (ETA 9129) reports. Labor Handbook 401 requires specific filing dates for all reports. These reports provide information to Labor to measure the performance and effectiveness of various benefit programs. According to the grant agreement between the Commission and Labor, the Commission should submit its required reports to Labor in a timely manner and in accordance with Labor Handbook 401. Not submitting reports timely may cause delays in funding from Labor or suspension of funds needed for ongoing Commission operations. In addition, continued delays could result in additional federal oversight. The implementation of the new benefits system affected the Commission's ability to submit required ETA reports timely. Specifically, the Commission encountered errors when submitting several reports containing data from the internal benefits system, which the Commission was unable to resolve. Further, there are no specific policies and procedures outlining guidance for submission of specific reports. The Commission has continued to work with the system contractor to resolve any existing errors in order to successfully submit required federal reports. For reports not impacted by the internal benefits system implementation, management did not provide proper oversight to ensure timely filings due to competing work priorities. We encourage the Commission to continue working with the contractor to resolve any data issues in the benefits system. Also, management should exercise adequate oversight to ensure staff file all reports by the required due date. The Commission should also update internal policies and procedures for each required report to provide clear guidance for report submission and consequences for late filing. Views of Responsible Officials: Views of responsible officials are in the report related to their agency, which can be found at www.apa.virginia.gov. In summary, the views of responsible officials in the agency report do not express a disagreement with the finding.
2022-109: Submit Accurate Special Reports to Department of Labor Applicable to: Virginia Employment Commission Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency ALPT or Cluster Name and ALN: Unemployment Insurance - 17.225 (COVID-19) Federal Award Number and Year: UI233F2200 - 2022 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Type of Compliance Requirement - Criteria: Reporting - 2 CFR ? 200.300(b); Department of Labor Handbooks ETA 336 and 401 Known Questioned Costs: $0 The Commission did not accurately report activity on the Quarterly Unemployment Insurance Above-Base Report (ETA 2208A Report) for one of two (50%) quarters tested. The June 2022 quarterly report included amounts that were not in agreement with supporting documentation. Labor Handbook 336 requires that data reported must fairly and accurately represent the utilization of staff years and be traceable to supporting documentation. This special report provides information to Labor on the number of staff years worked and paid for various UI program categories to use in determining above-base entitlements. According to the grant agreement between the Commission and Labor, the Commission should submit its required reports to Labor in accordance with Labor Handbook 336. Submitting reports with inaccurate information may cause an incorrect determination of entitlements above employee base pay. The employee responsible for preparing the ETA 2208A Report identified typographical errors after submission of the report; however, the employee did not notify management of the errors. The employee incorrectly decided to revise and resubmit the report, without management's knowledge, based on the premise that the next quarterly report would reflect accurate year-to- date activity, resolving the error from the prior period. The Commission should properly train all employees responsible for report preparation. In addition, the Commission should update its policies and procedures to ensure employees notify management if they discover an error to determine if corrected reports require an updated submission. Views of Responsible Officials: Views of responsible officials are in the report related to their agency, which can be found at www.apa.virginia.gov. In summary, the views of responsible officials in the agency report do not express a disagreement with the finding.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
REFERENCE: 2022-101 CFDA NUMBER 84.425D ? COVID 19 ? EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND CFDA NUMBER 84.425U ? COVID 19 ? EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ? 2021 PASSED THROUGH ARIZONA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT NUMBER: S425D210038 & S425U210038 QUESTIONED COSTS N/A CONDITION The following errors were noted during testing of allowable costs, activities and procurement: ? For 1 of 3 vendors tested for procurement, only 1 quote was available for review. ? Vendors were not evaluated for suspension or debarment prior to purchases being made. ? For 3 of 12 disbursements tested, although the purchases are allowable under the grants, the purchases were not included in the grant budgets submitted to the Arizona Department of Education. Amended budgets were submitted on August 31, 2022. CRITERIA In accordance with 2 CFR 200.320 Methods of Procurement to be Followed, The non-Federal entity must have and use documented 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.214 Suspension and debarment, Non-federal entities are subject to the non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180. The regulations in 2 CFR part 180 restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. In accordance with 2CFR 200.403 Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs, 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. c. Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. d. Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. e. Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. f. Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b). g. Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. h. Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). In accordance with OMB Compliance Supplement, Part 6 ? Internal Control, non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the Federal awards 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 awards. EFFECT Program requirements were not complied with. The School may not have received the best pricing for goods or services. CAUSE Procurement procedures were not established to ensure compliance with federal regulations, including retention of quotes from an adequate number of vendors and suspension and debarment requirements. Additionally, internal controls were not designed appropriately to ensure that expenditures charged to the grant were periodically compared to the grant budgets to determine if budget amendments should be submitted. RECOMMENDATION AND BENEFIT A control system should be developed and implemented to monitor when federal expenditures require procurement, that all documentation is obtained and retained and vendors are reviewed for suspension and debarment. Additionally, internal controls should be modified to periodically compare actual expenditures under the grant with submitted budgets. This will help ensure that program requirements are complied with, the School only uses vendors that have not been suspended or debarred and budget amendments are submitted timely. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS See Corrective Action Plan.
REFERENCE: 2022-101 CFDA NUMBER 84.425D ? COVID 19 ? EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND CFDA NUMBER 84.425U ? COVID 19 ? EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ? 2021 PASSED THROUGH ARIZONA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT NUMBER: S425D210038 & S425U210038 QUESTIONED COSTS N/A CONDITION The following errors were noted during testing of allowable costs, activities and procurement: ? For 1 of 3 vendors tested for procurement, only 1 quote was available for review. ? Vendors were not evaluated for suspension or debarment prior to purchases being made. ? For 3 of 12 disbursements tested, although the purchases are allowable under the grants, the purchases were not included in the grant budgets submitted to the Arizona Department of Education. Amended budgets were submitted on August 31, 2022. CRITERIA In accordance with 2 CFR 200.320 Methods of Procurement to be Followed, The non-Federal entity must have and use documented 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.214 Suspension and debarment, Non-federal entities are subject to the non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180. The regulations in 2 CFR part 180 restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. In accordance with 2CFR 200.403 Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs, 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. c. Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. d. Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. e. Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. f. Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b). g. Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. h. Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). In accordance with OMB Compliance Supplement, Part 6 ? Internal Control, non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the Federal awards 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 awards. EFFECT Program requirements were not complied with. The School may not have received the best pricing for goods or services. CAUSE Procurement procedures were not established to ensure compliance with federal regulations, including retention of quotes from an adequate number of vendors and suspension and debarment requirements. Additionally, internal controls were not designed appropriately to ensure that expenditures charged to the grant were periodically compared to the grant budgets to determine if budget amendments should be submitted. RECOMMENDATION AND BENEFIT A control system should be developed and implemented to monitor when federal expenditures require procurement, that all documentation is obtained and retained and vendors are reviewed for suspension and debarment. Additionally, internal controls should be modified to periodically compare actual expenditures under the grant with submitted budgets. This will help ensure that program requirements are complied with, the School only uses vendors that have not been suspended or debarred and budget amendments are submitted timely. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding 2022-001- Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs- Significant Deficiency Program: COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing No.: 21.027 Federal Agency: Department of the Treasury ? Pass-through from the State of California Award No.: WWID 4SSO10370 & CA 1910156 Award Year: Fiscal year 2021-2022 Category of Finding: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs Criteria or Specific Requirement: Allowable Costs - 2 CFR Part 200.403 Factors affecting allowability of costs 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. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Per California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program Guidelines amended on January 19, 2022, providers that accrued residential and commercial customer arrearages during the COVID-19 pandemic bill relief period (March 4, 2020 through June 15, 2021) are eligible for the water and wastewater arrearages funding. In addition, 2 CFR 200.303 requires nonfederal entities to, among other things, establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition: The City did not have an effective system of internal control in place to ensure the correct COVID-19 pandemic relief period was applied to identify eligible customers to have their bills paid with federal grant funds. Context: Crowe selected a total of 60 payment transactions, consisting of 30 water bills and 30 wastewater bills that were included in the arrearage program. We noted that one of the water bills selected for testing had a service date from June 28, 2021 in the amount $77.88. Upon further discussion with City management we noted the City applied the incorrect pandemic relief period to the program. Instead of a date of June 15, 2021, the City was using June 30, 2021 as the cutoff date. Management subsequently reviewed the entire population of the bills and quantified that there were 93 water bills with aggregate amount of $20,199 and 81 wastewater bills with aggregate amount of $15,331 ineligible for the funding. Cause: The City applied the incorrect pandemic relief period to the program. Instead of a date of June 15, 2021, the City was using June 30, 2021 as the cutoff date. Effect or Potential Effect: There were 93 water bills with totaled amount of $20,199 and 81 wastewater bills with totaled amount of $15,331 ineligible for the funding. Questioned Costs: $35,530 Identification of a repeat finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement internal controls to review the eligibility period for water and wastewater arrearages funding to identify the correct eligible applicants prior to disbursement. Views of Responsible Officials: Payments applied to the 93 water bills and 81 wastewater bills will be reversed on the customer?s accounts. A notice will be issued to customers via mail and email (where possible) of the discrepancy. The funds will be returned to the State pursuant to their outlined procedures. Moving forward, the City will ensure that there is a multi-layered approval process to review the eligibility period of any State funding to identify the correct eligible applicants prior to disbursement. For future funding related to water and/or waster bills, the list of eligible applicants will be compiled by an analyst within the department and will be reviewed by the Revenue Services Manager and Assistant Finance Director prior to disbursement.
Finding No. 2022–007 – Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Eligible Uses – FEMA Federal Program ALN 97.036 Disaster Grants – Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) Program Name of Federal Agency U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pass-through Entity Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) Category Non-compliance / Material weakness in internal controls over compliance Compliance Requirement Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Eligible Uses Criteria As per 2 CFR section 200.403(g), except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: • Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. • Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. • Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. • Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. • Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. • Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also § 200.306(b). • Be adequately documented. See also §§ 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. • Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3). Condition During the closeout procedures, the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) office performed a 100% validation on Rental Equipment, supporting documents including contract summary record, invoices, and proofs of payment. As a result of the validation, the total validated amount is $979,259 from an original amount of $1,260,775 submitted by the Corporation for reimbursement. Cause The Corporation claimed ineligible days in rent of equipment, certain invoices were claimed at a greater monthly rate, various expenses were claimed using retroactive memorandum of necessity as well as other transactions were found to not be eligible due to non-compliance with Puerto Rican Contract law, failing to comply with the proper documentation as required by the regulation. Effect The Corporation has to return a total amount of $281,516 due to the unallowed activities that were claimed to the fund. Questioned Cost The known questioned cost was calculated by the amount deemed to be unallowable activity of $281,516. Context • An amount of $26,127 was deducted from invoice #16307820 due to the dates 9/3/18 to 9/15/18 that falls in the 100% cost share." This amount was claimed under a different PW. • For chillers, invoice 16307877 was partially covered (15 days eligible), invoice 16308069 was partially covered (12 days eligible), and invoice 16308131 was partially covered (14 days eligible) due to the service order execution date. • For generators, invoices 16307884, 16307953, 16308033, 16308092, 16308146, 16308207, 16308270, 16308318, 16308357, 16308402, 16308449 and 16308476 were partially covered due to the maximum contract amount. • For generators, invoices 16307820, 16308622, 16308665, and 16308706 were found to not be eligible for reimbursement due to both retroactive execution as well as non-compliance with Puerto Rican Contract law. Identification of a repeat finding This is not a repeat finding from the immediate previous audit. Recommendation The management of the Corporation should reinforce its procedures of the administration of federal funds to ensure the compliance with the requirements with each program. Also, the Corporation should establish communication with the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency in order to obtain instructions for the correction of the non-compliance event and the related questioned cost. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions The Corporation’s management and responsible officers agree with this finding. Please refer to the corrective action plan section for the Corporation’s response on pages 89 to 98.
2022-108: Submit Required Reports Timely Applicable to: Virginia Employment Commission Prior Year Finding Number: 2021-086; 2020-091 Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency ALPT or Cluster Name and ALN: Unemployment Insurance - 17.225 (COVID-19) Federal Award Number and Year: UI233F2200 - 2022 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Type of Compliance Requirement - Criteria: Reporting - 2 CFR ? 200.300(b); Department of Labor Handbooks ETA 336 and 401 Known Questioned Costs: $0 The Commission did not submit monthly and quarterly Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Reports timely. There were multiple instances where the Commission did not submit reports by the required deadlines, including: ? Submitting one of twelve (8%) Unemployment Insurance Financial Transaction Summary (ETA 2112) reports seven days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Statement of Expenditures and Financial Adjustments of Federal Funds for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees and Ex- Service Members (ETA 191) reports 13 days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Overpayment Detection and Recovery Activities (ETA 227) reports 76 days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Quarterly Narrative Progress Reports (ETA 9178) four days late; ? Submitting one of twelve (8%) Time Lapse of All First Payments Except Workshare (ETA 9050) reports five days late; ? Not submitting one of four (25%) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Workload (ETA 9128) reports; and ? Not submitting four of four (100%) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Outcomes (ETA 9129) reports. Labor Handbook 401 requires specific filing dates for all reports. These reports provide information to Labor to measure the performance and effectiveness of various benefit programs. According to the grant agreement between the Commission and Labor, the Commission should submit its required reports to Labor in a timely manner and in accordance with Labor Handbook 401. Not submitting reports timely may cause delays in funding from Labor or suspension of funds needed for ongoing Commission operations. In addition, continued delays could result in additional federal oversight. The implementation of the new benefits system affected the Commission's ability to submit required ETA reports timely. Specifically, the Commission encountered errors when submitting several reports containing data from the internal benefits system, which the Commission was unable to resolve. Further, there are no specific policies and procedures outlining guidance for submission of specific reports. The Commission has continued to work with the system contractor to resolve any existing errors in order to successfully submit required federal reports. For reports not impacted by the internal benefits system implementation, management did not provide proper oversight to ensure timely filings due to competing work priorities. We encourage the Commission to continue working with the contractor to resolve any data issues in the benefits system. Also, management should exercise adequate oversight to ensure staff file all reports by the required due date. The Commission should also update internal policies and procedures for each required report to provide clear guidance for report submission and consequences for late filing. Views of Responsible Officials: Views of responsible officials are in the report related to their agency, which can be found at www.apa.virginia.gov. In summary, the views of responsible officials in the agency report do not express a disagreement with the finding.
2022-109: Submit Accurate Special Reports to Department of Labor Applicable to: Virginia Employment Commission Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency ALPT or Cluster Name and ALN: Unemployment Insurance - 17.225 (COVID-19) Federal Award Number and Year: UI233F2200 - 2022 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Type of Compliance Requirement - Criteria: Reporting - 2 CFR ? 200.300(b); Department of Labor Handbooks ETA 336 and 401 Known Questioned Costs: $0 The Commission did not accurately report activity on the Quarterly Unemployment Insurance Above-Base Report (ETA 2208A Report) for one of two (50%) quarters tested. The June 2022 quarterly report included amounts that were not in agreement with supporting documentation. Labor Handbook 336 requires that data reported must fairly and accurately represent the utilization of staff years and be traceable to supporting documentation. This special report provides information to Labor on the number of staff years worked and paid for various UI program categories to use in determining above-base entitlements. According to the grant agreement between the Commission and Labor, the Commission should submit its required reports to Labor in accordance with Labor Handbook 336. Submitting reports with inaccurate information may cause an incorrect determination of entitlements above employee base pay. The employee responsible for preparing the ETA 2208A Report identified typographical errors after submission of the report; however, the employee did not notify management of the errors. The employee incorrectly decided to revise and resubmit the report, without management's knowledge, based on the premise that the next quarterly report would reflect accurate year-to- date activity, resolving the error from the prior period. The Commission should properly train all employees responsible for report preparation. In addition, the Commission should update its policies and procedures to ensure employees notify management if they discover an error to determine if corrected reports require an updated submission. Views of Responsible Officials: Views of responsible officials are in the report related to their agency, which can be found at www.apa.virginia.gov. In summary, the views of responsible officials in the agency report do not express a disagreement with the finding.
2022-108: Submit Required Reports Timely Applicable to: Virginia Employment Commission Prior Year Finding Number: 2021-086; 2020-091 Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency ALPT or Cluster Name and ALN: Unemployment Insurance - 17.225 (COVID-19) Federal Award Number and Year: UI233F2200 - 2022 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Type of Compliance Requirement - Criteria: Reporting - 2 CFR ? 200.300(b); Department of Labor Handbooks ETA 336 and 401 Known Questioned Costs: $0 The Commission did not submit monthly and quarterly Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Reports timely. There were multiple instances where the Commission did not submit reports by the required deadlines, including: ? Submitting one of twelve (8%) Unemployment Insurance Financial Transaction Summary (ETA 2112) reports seven days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Statement of Expenditures and Financial Adjustments of Federal Funds for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees and Ex- Service Members (ETA 191) reports 13 days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Overpayment Detection and Recovery Activities (ETA 227) reports 76 days late; ? Submitting one of four (25%) Quarterly Narrative Progress Reports (ETA 9178) four days late; ? Submitting one of twelve (8%) Time Lapse of All First Payments Except Workshare (ETA 9050) reports five days late; ? Not submitting one of four (25%) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Workload (ETA 9128) reports; and ? Not submitting four of four (100%) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Outcomes (ETA 9129) reports. Labor Handbook 401 requires specific filing dates for all reports. These reports provide information to Labor to measure the performance and effectiveness of various benefit programs. According to the grant agreement between the Commission and Labor, the Commission should submit its required reports to Labor in a timely manner and in accordance with Labor Handbook 401. Not submitting reports timely may cause delays in funding from Labor or suspension of funds needed for ongoing Commission operations. In addition, continued delays could result in additional federal oversight. The implementation of the new benefits system affected the Commission's ability to submit required ETA reports timely. Specifically, the Commission encountered errors when submitting several reports containing data from the internal benefits system, which the Commission was unable to resolve. Further, there are no specific policies and procedures outlining guidance for submission of specific reports. The Commission has continued to work with the system contractor to resolve any existing errors in order to successfully submit required federal reports. For reports not impacted by the internal benefits system implementation, management did not provide proper oversight to ensure timely filings due to competing work priorities. We encourage the Commission to continue working with the contractor to resolve any data issues in the benefits system. Also, management should exercise adequate oversight to ensure staff file all reports by the required due date. The Commission should also update internal policies and procedures for each required report to provide clear guidance for report submission and consequences for late filing. Views of Responsible Officials: Views of responsible officials are in the report related to their agency, which can be found at www.apa.virginia.gov. In summary, the views of responsible officials in the agency report do not express a disagreement with the finding.
2022-109: Submit Accurate Special Reports to Department of Labor Applicable to: Virginia Employment Commission Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Type of Finding: Internal Control and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency ALPT or Cluster Name and ALN: Unemployment Insurance - 17.225 (COVID-19) Federal Award Number and Year: UI233F2200 - 2022 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Type of Compliance Requirement - Criteria: Reporting - 2 CFR ? 200.300(b); Department of Labor Handbooks ETA 336 and 401 Known Questioned Costs: $0 The Commission did not accurately report activity on the Quarterly Unemployment Insurance Above-Base Report (ETA 2208A Report) for one of two (50%) quarters tested. The June 2022 quarterly report included amounts that were not in agreement with supporting documentation. Labor Handbook 336 requires that data reported must fairly and accurately represent the utilization of staff years and be traceable to supporting documentation. This special report provides information to Labor on the number of staff years worked and paid for various UI program categories to use in determining above-base entitlements. According to the grant agreement between the Commission and Labor, the Commission should submit its required reports to Labor in accordance with Labor Handbook 336. Submitting reports with inaccurate information may cause an incorrect determination of entitlements above employee base pay. The employee responsible for preparing the ETA 2208A Report identified typographical errors after submission of the report; however, the employee did not notify management of the errors. The employee incorrectly decided to revise and resubmit the report, without management's knowledge, based on the premise that the next quarterly report would reflect accurate year-to- date activity, resolving the error from the prior period. The Commission should properly train all employees responsible for report preparation. In addition, the Commission should update its policies and procedures to ensure employees notify management if they discover an error to determine if corrected reports require an updated submission. Views of Responsible Officials: Views of responsible officials are in the report related to their agency, which can be found at www.apa.virginia.gov. In summary, the views of responsible officials in the agency report do not express a disagreement with the finding.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
Finding number: 2022 005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through agency: Massachusetts Executive Office of Elderly Affairs Program: Aging Cluster ALN #: 93.044, 93.045, 93.053 Award number: Various Award year: Various Finding: Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring Prior Year Finding: No Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria 2 CFR section 200.331(a) indicates that 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: (1) Federal Award Identification. ? Subrecipient?s name (which must match registered name in DUNS); ? Subrecipient?s DUNS number (see ? 200.32 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number); ? Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN); ? Federal award date; ? Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date; ? Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action; ? Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient; ? Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass through entity; ? Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA); ? Name of Federal awarding agency, pass through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the pass through entity; ? ALN Number and Name; the pass through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the ALN number at time of disbursement; ? Identification of whether the award is R&D; and ? Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged per ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs). (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) An approved Federally recognized indirect cost rate negotiated between the subrecipient and the Federal government or, if no such rate exists, either a rate negotiated between the pass through entity and the subrecipient (in compliance with this part), or a de minimis indirect cost rate as defined in ? 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs, paragraph (b) of this part. (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 passthrough entity to meet the requirements of this section, ? 200.300 Statutory and national policy requirements through 200.309 Period of performance, and Subpart F ? Audit Requirements of this part; and (6) Appropriate terms and conditions concerning closeout of the subaward. Condition During our testing of subrecipient monitoring for a sample of 8 out of the population of 20 subrecipients, the City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission (Age Strong Commission) subaward letters were authorized however it was noted that such documents did not contain all of the required elements of 2 CFR Section 200.331(a) listed above. For all 8 subrecipients, the subaward letter did not identify whether the subaward is R&D and did not contain the indirect cost rate for the Federal award. Cause This appears to be due to inadequate review to ensure the subaward includes all of the required elements of 2CFR Section 200.331(a) prior to authorization. Effect Aging does not have adequate controls over subrecipient notification requirements. Whether Sampling was Statistically Valid The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation We recommend that OEM execute an updated MOA with its subrecipients that expressly includes all information description in 2 CFR section 200.331(a)(1) as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of Responsible Officials from the Auditee The City of Boston?s Age Strong Commission has revised the addendum that is attached to their award letters to include whether or not the award is R&D and a section on indirect cost rate.
REFERENCE: 2022-101 CFDA NUMBER 84.425D ? COVID 19 ? EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND CFDA NUMBER 84.425U ? COVID 19 ? EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ? 2021 PASSED THROUGH ARIZONA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT NUMBER: S425D210038 & S425U210038 QUESTIONED COSTS N/A CONDITION The following errors were noted during testing of allowable costs, activities and procurement: ? For 1 of 3 vendors tested for procurement, only 1 quote was available for review. ? Vendors were not evaluated for suspension or debarment prior to purchases being made. ? For 3 of 12 disbursements tested, although the purchases are allowable under the grants, the purchases were not included in the grant budgets submitted to the Arizona Department of Education. Amended budgets were submitted on August 31, 2022. CRITERIA In accordance with 2 CFR 200.320 Methods of Procurement to be Followed, The non-Federal entity must have and use documented 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.214 Suspension and debarment, Non-federal entities are subject to the non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180. The regulations in 2 CFR part 180 restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. In accordance with 2CFR 200.403 Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs, 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. c. Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. d. Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. e. Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. f. Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b). g. Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. h. Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). In accordance with OMB Compliance Supplement, Part 6 ? Internal Control, non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the Federal awards 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 awards. EFFECT Program requirements were not complied with. The School may not have received the best pricing for goods or services. CAUSE Procurement procedures were not established to ensure compliance with federal regulations, including retention of quotes from an adequate number of vendors and suspension and debarment requirements. Additionally, internal controls were not designed appropriately to ensure that expenditures charged to the grant were periodically compared to the grant budgets to determine if budget amendments should be submitted. RECOMMENDATION AND BENEFIT A control system should be developed and implemented to monitor when federal expenditures require procurement, that all documentation is obtained and retained and vendors are reviewed for suspension and debarment. Additionally, internal controls should be modified to periodically compare actual expenditures under the grant with submitted budgets. This will help ensure that program requirements are complied with, the School only uses vendors that have not been suspended or debarred and budget amendments are submitted timely. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS See Corrective Action Plan.
REFERENCE: 2022-101 CFDA NUMBER 84.425D ? COVID 19 ? EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND CFDA NUMBER 84.425U ? COVID 19 ? EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ? 2021 PASSED THROUGH ARIZONA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT NUMBER: S425D210038 & S425U210038 QUESTIONED COSTS N/A CONDITION The following errors were noted during testing of allowable costs, activities and procurement: ? For 1 of 3 vendors tested for procurement, only 1 quote was available for review. ? Vendors were not evaluated for suspension or debarment prior to purchases being made. ? For 3 of 12 disbursements tested, although the purchases are allowable under the grants, the purchases were not included in the grant budgets submitted to the Arizona Department of Education. Amended budgets were submitted on August 31, 2022. CRITERIA In accordance with 2 CFR 200.320 Methods of Procurement to be Followed, The non-Federal entity must have and use documented 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. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.214 Suspension and debarment, Non-federal entities are subject to the non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180. The regulations in 2 CFR part 180 restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. In accordance with 2CFR 200.403 Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs, 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. c. Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. d. Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. e. Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. f. Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b). g. Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. h. Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). In accordance with OMB Compliance Supplement, Part 6 ? Internal Control, non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the Federal awards 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 awards. EFFECT Program requirements were not complied with. The School may not have received the best pricing for goods or services. CAUSE Procurement procedures were not established to ensure compliance with federal regulations, including retention of quotes from an adequate number of vendors and suspension and debarment requirements. Additionally, internal controls were not designed appropriately to ensure that expenditures charged to the grant were periodically compared to the grant budgets to determine if budget amendments should be submitted. RECOMMENDATION AND BENEFIT A control system should be developed and implemented to monitor when federal expenditures require procurement, that all documentation is obtained and retained and vendors are reviewed for suspension and debarment. Additionally, internal controls should be modified to periodically compare actual expenditures under the grant with submitted budgets. This will help ensure that program requirements are complied with, the School only uses vendors that have not been suspended or debarred and budget amendments are submitted timely. VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding Number: 2022-004Prior Year Finding: NoFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: COVID-19 - Elementary and Secondary Schools EmergencyRelief Fund (ESSER)Assistance Listing: 84.425C, D, U, WPass-Through Entity: Maryland State Department of EducationPass-Through AwardNumber and Period:201787-01 (3/13/20 ? 9/30/22)Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance,Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 403, except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meetthe 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 allocablethereto under these principles.(b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award asto types or amount of cost items.(c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed andother activities of the non-Federal entity.(d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a directcost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated tothe Federal award as an indirect cost.(e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, forstate and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part.(f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any otherfederally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b).(g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part.(h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency isauthorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligatedbalances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Frequently Asked Question C-16 for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs(ESSER), dated May 2021, states in part, that when an LEA has other means of providing for foodservices, such as through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other Federal programs, theDepartment encourages LEAs to use those Federal funds with the specific purpose of providing foodservices to students prior to using ESSER or GEER funds for this purpose.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effectiveinternal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity ismanaging the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms andconditions of the federal award. These internal controls should comply with the guidance in "Standardsfor Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United Statesor the "Internal Control-Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsof the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition/Context:The Board charged $3,059,646 to the food service fund to cover salary costs. ESSER programrequirements allow salary costs to be charged to the program only if other Federal funds are notavailable to cover additional labor costs associated with serving meals to students during the pandemicor for other COVID-19 related expenses. The reimbursement rate under the Child Nutrition Cluster(CNC) was sufficient to cover the total costs of operating the food service program for the fiscal year.Since Federal program funds were available to cover these costs under the CNC, the portion chargedto ESSER is unallowable.Questioned Costs:$3,059,646Cause:The Board's internal control processes did not prevent salary costs from being charged to both CNCand ESSER.Effect:The Board charged costs to the program when the expenditures had also been charged to CNC.Recommendation:We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to verify that controls are in place toensure expenditures are not reimbursed under more than one Federal Program.Views of responsible officials:Management agrees with the finding.
Finding 2022-001- Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs- Significant Deficiency Program: COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing No.: 21.027 Federal Agency: Department of the Treasury ? Pass-through from the State of California Award No.: WWID 4SSO10370 & CA 1910156 Award Year: Fiscal year 2021-2022 Category of Finding: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs Criteria or Specific Requirement: Allowable Costs - 2 CFR Part 200.403 Factors affecting allowability of costs 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. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also ? 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See also ?? 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to ? 200.308(e)(3). Per California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program Guidelines amended on January 19, 2022, providers that accrued residential and commercial customer arrearages during the COVID-19 pandemic bill relief period (March 4, 2020 through June 15, 2021) are eligible for the water and wastewater arrearages funding. In addition, 2 CFR 200.303 requires nonfederal entities to, among other things, establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition: The City did not have an effective system of internal control in place to ensure the correct COVID-19 pandemic relief period was applied to identify eligible customers to have their bills paid with federal grant funds. Context: Crowe selected a total of 60 payment transactions, consisting of 30 water bills and 30 wastewater bills that were included in the arrearage program. We noted that one of the water bills selected for testing had a service date from June 28, 2021 in the amount $77.88. Upon further discussion with City management we noted the City applied the incorrect pandemic relief period to the program. Instead of a date of June 15, 2021, the City was using June 30, 2021 as the cutoff date. Management subsequently reviewed the entire population of the bills and quantified that there were 93 water bills with aggregate amount of $20,199 and 81 wastewater bills with aggregate amount of $15,331 ineligible for the funding. Cause: The City applied the incorrect pandemic relief period to the program. Instead of a date of June 15, 2021, the City was using June 30, 2021 as the cutoff date. Effect or Potential Effect: There were 93 water bills with totaled amount of $20,199 and 81 wastewater bills with totaled amount of $15,331 ineligible for the funding. Questioned Costs: $35,530 Identification of a repeat finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement internal controls to review the eligibility period for water and wastewater arrearages funding to identify the correct eligible applicants prior to disbursement. Views of Responsible Officials: Payments applied to the 93 water bills and 81 wastewater bills will be reversed on the customer?s accounts. A notice will be issued to customers via mail and email (where possible) of the discrepancy. The funds will be returned to the State pursuant to their outlined procedures. Moving forward, the City will ensure that there is a multi-layered approval process to review the eligibility period of any State funding to identify the correct eligible applicants prior to disbursement. For future funding related to water and/or waster bills, the list of eligible applicants will be compiled by an analyst within the department and will be reviewed by the Revenue Services Manager and Assistant Finance Director prior to disbursement.
Internal Controls and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles and Period of Performance Identification of Federal Program: Coronavirus Relief Fund – Assistance Listing No. 21.019 Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200 requires that the City and its Contractor, a non-federal entity 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). The provisions of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), as stipulated by the U.S. Treasury and subject to restrictions outlines in the guidance set forth in Section 601(d) of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 5001 of the “CARES” Act, restrict use of the funding for allowable costs and activities. Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 200.403, 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. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian Tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost-sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also CFR 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See also CFR 200.300 – 200.309. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to CFR 200.308(e)(3). Cause/Condition: During our testing of the Coronavirus Relief Fund program, we noted that the City, through its contracted employee services, failed to establish and adhere to an effective internal control structure that would facilitate its use of Coronavirus Relief Funding, comply with regulations and terms of the federal award and take prompt action when instances of noncompliance were identified. As a result, the City was not in compliance with certain provisions of the grant. Results of testing also indicated unallowable and questioned use of the grant funding. The results of testwork performed and correspondence with City management noted the following: • No backup or supporting documentation for the evaluation, criteria, and selection of the grantees to be disbursed CRF funding was available or maintained by City personnel. Online applications were submitted, but there was inadequate documentation and an absence of evidence of a functioning internal control structure for the disbursement of funding used for the City’s Small Business Relief Program. • Approximately $4.25 million use of the funding was disbursed to grantees as part of the City’s Small Business Relief Program. As there was no backup or supporting documentation for the evaluation, criteria, and selection of the grantees to be disbursed CRF funding and because there were individuals responsible for selecting grantees that were potentially involved in a fraudulent scheme, all amounts tested within our sample of eighty-one (81) were determined to be questioned costs, which amounted to $3,070,900. Based on our sample of eighty-one (81) grantees tested, $196,250 was confirmed by the grantees as amounts requested and/or directed by former City representatives to be remitted to outside entities for marketing services. Such services were potentially a part of a fraudulent scheme under direction by former City Officials and later prosecuted. Such questioned amounts would not tie into delivery or performance of allowable services. • During our testing of CRF expenditures, we sampled twenty-one (21) disbursements made for public health costs incurred as a response to the pandemic, which are an allowable use of funding. We noted one (1) payment made in the amount of $3,500 for which no copy or check or disbursement was able to be provided. In addition, we noted that the disbursement for $3,500 as well as an additional disbursement of $12,000 were both paid to a City vendor that employed two former contracted City staff. Both amounts totaling $15,500 were determined to be questioned costs. • During our testing of CRF expenditures, we sampled nine (9) payments made to contractors, organizations and special services procured with CRF funding. We noted one (1) payment made in the amount of $50,000 for which no copy or check or disbursement was able to be provided. In addition, such contractors, organizations, and special services procured with the funding were noted to have bypassed City procurement protocol and eight (8) of the payments, totaling $163,500, were for services outside of the initial period of performance of the grant. As a result, the total tested disbursements of $213,500 were determined to be questioned costs. Effects or Potential Effects: Noncompliance with CFR related to allowable costs and period of performance results in an increased risk that charges to the grant do not represent actual costs incurred. Internal control deficiencies surrounding the grant result in an increased risk that noncompliance may not be detected or corrected timely. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs amounted to $3,299,900. Likely questioned costs amounted to $5,896,456. Recommendation: We recommend that incoming City management strengthen its internal control structure surrounding its designation, use and disbursement of grants as well as implement and adhere to policies and procedures for the retention and safeguarding of original source documents to properly substantiate charges made to grants. Auditee’s Response: DeKalb County was given $125 million directly from the federal government. Of that amount, and through an intergovernmental agreement dated August 10, 2020, $32.6 million was distributed to the County’s municipalities on a per capita basis. The City of Stonecrest received $6,227,098. The City was to administer and distribute the funds in accordance with the federal program requirements to combat the public health emergency and resulting economic impact related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City was also charged with maintaining through and accurate records regarding expenditure of the funds. Following the execution of the agreement with DeKalb County, the City Council adopted a resolution on September 28, 2020 calling for the Stonecrest CARES Act Funding plan. The City Council assigned contractor staff to set up protocols to manage the program. The City Manager, who was not on staff at the time, or designee was authorized to employ an administrator for the Small Business Support Program, to develop an education component and to create a CARES Act Relief Fund Committee to vet and select a program administrator. The Stonecrest COVID CARES Act Relief Fund was created as the umbrella group that would have oversite over the programs. The Committee was later renamed the Aaron Matthew Allen COVID Small Business Relief/Stonecrest Cares Committee to honor a local resident. The Committee was organized by contractor staff and included two members of City Council, several Contractor staff and consultants who were later paid to assist with the program. The Committee met four times between November 4, 2020 and December 22, 2020, however, there is no evidence that the program management plan, as outlined in the September 28, 2020 resolution was executed in accordance with the resolution. Contractor staff reported to other Committee members on activities and events related to the use of CARES Act funds, and the other committee members had no functional roles in CARES Act fund program. The updates included the naming of consultants involved in the program, but did not disclose that consultant contracts had been executed by contractor staff using the emergency procurement section of the City’s Purchasing Policy. There appears to be no factual basis or authority for use of emergency procurement procedures or execution of contracts by the contractor staff. Significantly, on October 30, 2020, a contract was signed by a City contractor staff with a recently organized not-for-profit organization to prepare disbursements to organizations using CARES Act funds based on notifications by the City Contractor staff. There were duties related to records and accounting but no other performance requirements. Other contracts were executed by contractor City staff who had no authority to enter contracts on the City’s behalf. That process should have included the City Purchasing agent, also a contractor staff, City Attorney and City Council reviews and approvals. The City was successful in obtaining records from the program contractors primarily related to bank statements, program grant application documents, check copies, front and back, however no backup or supporting documentation for the evaluation, criteria, and selection of the grantees to be disbursed funds was available or maintained by the City. The contractor was in full control of the operation of the CARES Act program. The City contends that established internal control procedures were not followed by employees assigned by the private government services contractor retained to provide management and operations services in a manner sufficient to prevent, detect, and/or correct various issues related to the City’s CARES Program. The City concedes that City employed staff did not timely submit reports to DeKalb County pursuant to terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement.Like the response by Mayor and City Council with the purchasing card findings, the City Attorney was engaged to investigate the CARES Act program organization and operation. Pursuant to those findings, federal and local law enforcement agencies were notified, and criminal charges were prosecuted and convictions secured. Based on those prosecution, the City received restitutions that will be reimbursed to DeKalb County. In addition, the City has made a claim as part of the January 31, 2023, filed Complaint for damages and other relief to be indemnified by the contractor for any claims by DeKalb County, including questioned unallowable costs, for reimbursement of Cares Act funds.
Internal Controls and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles and Period of Performance Identification of Federal Program: Coronavirus Relief Fund – Assistance Listing No. 21.019 Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200 requires that the City and its Contractor, a non-federal entity 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). The provisions of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), as stipulated by the U.S. Treasury and subject to restrictions outlines in the guidance set forth in Section 601(d) of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 5001 of the “CARES” Act, restrict use of the funding for allowable costs and activities. Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 200.403, 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. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the federal award as an indirect cost. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian Tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost-sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also CFR 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See also CFR 200.300 – 200.309. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to CFR 200.308(e)(3). Cause/Condition: During our testing of the Coronavirus Relief Fund program, we noted that the City, through its contracted employee services, failed to establish and adhere to an effective internal control structure that would facilitate its use of Coronavirus Relief Funding, comply with regulations and terms of the federal award and take prompt action when instances of noncompliance were identified. As a result, the City was not in compliance with certain provisions of the grant. Results of testing also indicated unallowable and questioned use of the grant funding. The results of testwork performed and correspondence with City management noted the following: • No backup or supporting documentation for the evaluation, criteria, and selection of the grantees to be disbursed CRF funding was available or maintained by City personnel. Online applications were submitted, but there was inadequate documentation and an absence of evidence of a functioning internal control structure for the disbursement of funding used for the City’s Small Business Relief Program. • Approximately $4.25 million use of the funding was disbursed to grantees as part of the City’s Small Business Relief Program. As there was no backup or supporting documentation for the evaluation, criteria, and selection of the grantees to be disbursed CRF funding and because there were individuals responsible for selecting grantees that were potentially involved in a fraudulent scheme, all amounts tested within our sample of eighty-one (81) were determined to be questioned costs, which amounted to $3,070,900. Based on our sample of eighty-one (81) grantees tested, $196,250 was confirmed by the grantees as amounts requested and/or directed by former City representatives to be remitted to outside entities for marketing services. Such services were potentially a part of a fraudulent scheme under direction by former City Officials and later prosecuted. Such questioned amounts would not tie into delivery or performance of allowable services. • During our testing of CRF expenditures, we sampled twenty-one (21) disbursements made for public health costs incurred as a response to the pandemic, which are an allowable use of funding. We noted one (1) payment made in the amount of $3,500 for which no copy or check or disbursement was able to be provided. In addition, we noted that the disbursement for $3,500 as well as an additional disbursement of $12,000 were both paid to a City vendor that employed two former contracted City staff. Both amounts totaling $15,500 were determined to be questioned costs. • During our testing of CRF expenditures, we sampled nine (9) payments made to contractors, organizations and special services procured with CRF funding. We noted one (1) payment made in the amount of $50,000 for which no copy or check or disbursement was able to be provided. In addition, such contractors, organizations, and special services procured with the funding were noted to have bypassed City procurement protocol and eight (8) of the payments, totaling $163,500, were for services outside of the initial period of performance of the grant. As a result, the total tested disbursements of $213,500 were determined to be questioned costs. Effects or Potential Effects: Noncompliance with CFR related to allowable costs and period of performance results in an increased risk that charges to the grant do not represent actual costs incurred. Internal control deficiencies surrounding the grant result in an increased risk that noncompliance may not be detected or corrected timely. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs amounted to $3,299,900. Likely questioned costs amounted to $5,896,456. Recommendation: We recommend that incoming City management strengthen its internal control structure surrounding its designation, use and disbursement of grants as well as implement and adhere to policies and procedures for the retention and safeguarding of original source documents to properly substantiate charges made to grants. Auditee’s Response: DeKalb County was given $125 million directly from the federal government. Of that amount, and through an intergovernmental agreement dated August 10, 2020, $32.6 million was distributed to the County’s municipalities on a per capita basis. The City of Stonecrest received $6,227,098. The City was to administer and distribute the funds in accordance with the federal program requirements to combat the public health emergency and resulting economic impact related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City was also charged with maintaining through and accurate records regarding expenditure of the funds. Following the execution of the agreement with DeKalb County, the City Council adopted a resolution on September 28, 2020 calling for the Stonecrest CARES Act Funding plan. The City Council assigned contractor staff to set up protocols to manage the program. The City Manager, who was not on staff at the time, or designee was authorized to employ an administrator for the Small Business Support Program, to develop an education component and to create a CARES Act Relief Fund Committee to vet and select a program administrator. The Stonecrest COVID CARES Act Relief Fund was created as the umbrella group that would have oversite over the programs. The Committee was later renamed the Aaron Matthew Allen COVID Small Business Relief/Stonecrest Cares Committee to honor a local resident. The Committee was organized by contractor staff and included two members of City Council, several Contractor staff and consultants who were later paid to assist with the program. The Committee met four times between November 4, 2020 and December 22, 2020, however, there is no evidence that the program management plan, as outlined in the September 28, 2020 resolution was executed in accordance with the resolution. Contractor staff reported to other Committee members on activities and events related to the use of CARES Act funds, and the other committee members had no functional roles in CARES Act fund program. The updates included the naming of consultants involved in the program, but did not disclose that consultant contracts had been executed by contractor staff using the emergency procurement section of the City’s Purchasing Policy. There appears to be no factual basis or authority for use of emergency procurement procedures or execution of contracts by the contractor staff. Significantly, on October 30, 2020, a contract was signed by a City contractor staff with a recently organized not-for-profit organization to prepare disbursements to organizations using CARES Act funds based on notifications by the City Contractor staff. There were duties related to records and accounting but no other performance requirements. Other contracts were executed by contractor City staff who had no authority to enter contracts on the City’s behalf. That process should have included the City Purchasing agent, also a contractor staff, City Attorney and City Council reviews and approvals. The City was successful in obtaining records from the program contractors primarily related to bank statements, program grant application documents, check copies, front and back, however no backup or supporting documentation for the evaluation, criteria, and selection of the grantees to be disbursed funds was available or maintained by the City. The contractor was in full control of the operation of the CARES Act program. The City contends that established internal control procedures were not followed by employees assigned by the private government services contractor retained to provide management and operations services in a manner sufficient to prevent, detect, and/or correct various issues related to the City’s CARES Program. The City concedes that City employed staff did not timely submit reports to DeKalb County pursuant to terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement.Like the response by Mayor and City Council with the purchasing card findings, the City Attorney was engaged to investigate the CARES Act program organization and operation. Pursuant to those findings, federal and local law enforcement agencies were notified, and criminal charges were prosecuted and convictions secured. Based on those prosecution, the City received restitutions that will be reimbursed to DeKalb County. In addition, the City has made a claim as part of the January 31, 2023, filed Complaint for damages and other relief to be indemnified by the contractor for any claims by DeKalb County, including questioned unallowable costs, for reimbursement of Cares Act funds.
Finding 2021-009 – Lack of Internal Controls and Noncompliance Over Major Federal Program - Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowed Costs/Cost Principles – Coronavirus Relief Fund PASS-THROUGH GRANTOR: Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.019 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus Relief Fund FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2021 CONTROL CATEGORY: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles QUESTIONED COSTS: $804,695 Condition: A test of 100% of payroll expenditures reflected program disbursements totaling $804,695 that were not expended in accordance with the Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles due to ineligible costs. • The County was reimbursed $726,310 for General Government payroll expenditures for the offices of the County Commissioners, County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Assessor, and the County Court Clerk, for the period March 15, 2020, through October 30, 2020, which was determined to be an unallowed cost to mitigate or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with grant requirements. • The County was reimbursed $78,385 for 911 Trust Authority payroll expenditures, for the period August 15, 2020, through October 30, 2020, which was determined to be an unallowed cost of non-county employees to mitigate or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with grant requirements. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure that the County has proper internal controls over federal grant expenditures and that the expenditures were for an allowable cost. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in noncompliance with grant requirements. This could hinder the County from receiving future federal funding and could result in the repayment of grants funds to the grantor agency. Recommendation: OSAI recommends the County design and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable grant requirements. Management Response: Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners: The Board of County Commissioners will work to ensure federal disbursements comply with federal grant requirements. The County relied on the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services to ensure that the County reimbursement request was for eligible expenditures. Criteria: Title 42 United States Code § 801 – Coronavirus relief fund Section 601(d) requires the States, Tribal governments, or units of local government use the funds received to cover only those costs that (1) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); (2) were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020, for the State or government; and (3) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020. Additionally, CFR § 200.300(a) Internal Controls reads as follows: The Non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal 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 § 200.403 - Factors affecting allowability costs states in part, Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (g) Be adequately documented.
Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Identification of the Federal Program: Assistance Listing Number: 14.218 Assistance Listing Title: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Pass-Through Entity: County of San Bernardino Community Development and Housing Federal Award Identification Number: ADEL-18-1-03K-0134 ADEL-19-CV-2-05Q/0190 Assistance Listing Number: 21.019 Assistance Listing Title: Coronavirus Relief Fund Federal Agency: Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity: State of California Department of Finance County of San Bernardino Federal Award Identification Number: N/A CARES21-ALLC-ADE Criteria or Specific Requirement (Including Statutory, Regulatory, or Other Citation): Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulation §200.403 Requirements for pass-through entities. 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. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles (Continued) Condition: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants During our audit, we noted that two (2) out of four (4) samples summed up to $17,060 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Coronavirus Relief Fund During our audit, we noted that three (3) out of ten (10) samples summed up to $79,085 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Cause: The City was not able to safeguard the documents substantiating the transactions being charged to the grant. Effect or Potential Effect: The City did not comply with the CFR’s requirements for allowable costs. There is an increased risk that the charges do not represent the actual costs incurred. Questioned Costs: Known questionable costs $96,145. Context: See condition above for the context of the finding. Identification as a Repeat Finding, If Applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommended the City to strengthen safeguarding of source documents to properly substantiate the charges made to the grant. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs the finding. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also § 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See also §§ 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3).
Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Identification of the Federal Program: Assistance Listing Number: 14.218 Assistance Listing Title: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Pass-Through Entity: County of San Bernardino Community Development and Housing Federal Award Identification Number: ADEL-18-1-03K-0134 ADEL-19-CV-2-05Q/0190 Assistance Listing Number: 21.019 Assistance Listing Title: Coronavirus Relief Fund Federal Agency: Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity: State of California Department of Finance County of San Bernardino Federal Award Identification Number: N/A CARES21-ALLC-ADE Criteria or Specific Requirement (Including Statutory, Regulatory, or Other Citation): Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulation §200.403 Requirements for pass-through entities. 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. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles (Continued) Condition: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants During our audit, we noted that two (2) out of four (4) samples summed up to $17,060 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Coronavirus Relief Fund During our audit, we noted that three (3) out of ten (10) samples summed up to $79,085 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Cause: The City was not able to safeguard the documents substantiating the transactions being charged to the grant. Effect or Potential Effect: The City did not comply with the CFR’s requirements for allowable costs. There is an increased risk that the charges do not represent the actual costs incurred. Questioned Costs: Known questionable costs $96,145. Context: See condition above for the context of the finding. Identification as a Repeat Finding, If Applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommended the City to strengthen safeguarding of source documents to properly substantiate the charges made to the grant. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs the finding. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also § 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See also §§ 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3).
Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Identification of the Federal Program: Assistance Listing Number: 14.218 Assistance Listing Title: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Pass-Through Entity: County of San Bernardino Community Development and Housing Federal Award Identification Number: ADEL-18-1-03K-0134 ADEL-19-CV-2-05Q/0190 Assistance Listing Number: 21.019 Assistance Listing Title: Coronavirus Relief Fund Federal Agency: Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity: State of California Department of Finance County of San Bernardino Federal Award Identification Number: N/A CARES21-ALLC-ADE Criteria or Specific Requirement (Including Statutory, Regulatory, or Other Citation): Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulation §200.403 Requirements for pass-through entities. 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. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles (Continued) Condition: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants During our audit, we noted that two (2) out of four (4) samples summed up to $17,060 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Coronavirus Relief Fund During our audit, we noted that three (3) out of ten (10) samples summed up to $79,085 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Cause: The City was not able to safeguard the documents substantiating the transactions being charged to the grant. Effect or Potential Effect: The City did not comply with the CFR’s requirements for allowable costs. There is an increased risk that the charges do not represent the actual costs incurred. Questioned Costs: Known questionable costs $96,145. Context: See condition above for the context of the finding. Identification as a Repeat Finding, If Applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommended the City to strengthen safeguarding of source documents to properly substantiate the charges made to the grant. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs the finding. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also § 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See also §§ 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3).
Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Identification of the Federal Program: Assistance Listing Number: 14.218 Assistance Listing Title: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Pass-Through Entity: County of San Bernardino Community Development and Housing Federal Award Identification Number: ADEL-18-1-03K-0134 ADEL-19-CV-2-05Q/0190 Assistance Listing Number: 21.019 Assistance Listing Title: Coronavirus Relief Fund Federal Agency: Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity: State of California Department of Finance County of San Bernardino Federal Award Identification Number: N/A CARES21-ALLC-ADE Criteria or Specific Requirement (Including Statutory, Regulatory, or Other Citation): Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulation §200.403 Requirements for pass-through entities. 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. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles (Continued) Condition: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants During our audit, we noted that two (2) out of four (4) samples summed up to $17,060 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Coronavirus Relief Fund During our audit, we noted that three (3) out of ten (10) samples summed up to $79,085 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Cause: The City was not able to safeguard the documents substantiating the transactions being charged to the grant. Effect or Potential Effect: The City did not comply with the CFR’s requirements for allowable costs. There is an increased risk that the charges do not represent the actual costs incurred. Questioned Costs: Known questionable costs $96,145. Context: See condition above for the context of the finding. Identification as a Repeat Finding, If Applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommended the City to strengthen safeguarding of source documents to properly substantiate the charges made to the grant. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs the finding. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also § 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See also §§ 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3).
Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Identification of the Federal Program: Assistance Listing Number: 14.218 Assistance Listing Title: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Pass-Through Entity: County of San Bernardino Community Development and Housing Federal Award Identification Number: ADEL-18-1-03K-0134 ADEL-19-CV-2-05Q/0190 Assistance Listing Number: 21.019 Assistance Listing Title: Coronavirus Relief Fund Federal Agency: Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity: State of California Department of Finance County of San Bernardino Federal Award Identification Number: N/A CARES21-ALLC-ADE Criteria or Specific Requirement (Including Statutory, Regulatory, or Other Citation): Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulation §200.403 Requirements for pass-through entities. 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. (c) Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both federally-financed and other activities of the non-Federal entity. (d) Be accorded consistent treatment. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances has been allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost. Finding 2021-006 Allowable Costs/Cost Principles – Internal Control and Compliance over Allowable Costs/Cost Principles (Continued) Condition: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants During our audit, we noted that two (2) out of four (4) samples summed up to $17,060 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Coronavirus Relief Fund During our audit, we noted that three (3) out of ten (10) samples summed up to $79,085 had no proper source documents to indicate the procurement and payment were properly approved. Cause: The City was not able to safeguard the documents substantiating the transactions being charged to the grant. Effect or Potential Effect: The City did not comply with the CFR’s requirements for allowable costs. There is an increased risk that the charges do not represent the actual costs incurred. Questioned Costs: Known questionable costs $96,145. Context: See condition above for the context of the finding. Identification as a Repeat Finding, If Applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommended the City to strengthen safeguarding of source documents to properly substantiate the charges made to the grant. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs the finding. (e) Be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), except, for state and local governments and Indian tribes only, as otherwise provided for in this part. (f) Not be included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally-financed program in either the current or a prior period. See also § 200.306(b). (g) Be adequately documented. See also §§ 200.300 through 200.309 of this part. (h) Cost must be incurred during the approved budget period. The Federal awarding agency is authorized, at its discretion, to waive prior written approvals to carry forward unobligated balances to subsequent budget periods pursuant to § 200.308(e)(3).