Finding 2022-001: Noncompliance with Procurement Policy Requirements Programs - CFDA 21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and CFDA 93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) Health Department Response to Public Health or Healthcare Crisis Criteria: As required by 2 CFR 200, Subparts D and E (2 CFR sections 200.300 and 200.400, respectively), entities are required to maintain written policies, procedures, and standards of conduct (?policies?) for certain areas of its operation. The following sections of the Uniform Guidance require nonfederal entities that receive federal awards to establish written policies, procedures, or standards of conduct: ? Financial management (200.302) ? Federal payment (200.305) ? General procurement standards (200.318) ? Competition (200.319) ? Methods of procurement to be followed (200.320) ? Compensation?fringe benefits (200.431) ? Relocation costs of employees (200.464) ? Travel costs (200.475) Condition: Review of the Organization?s Financial Procedure manual noted it was updated August 2023, with the previous update being done in February 2014 ? prior to the year under audit. The 2014 update did not contain all of the required elements under 2 CFR 200, Subparts D and E (2 CFR sections 200.300 and 200.400). Cause: The Financial Procedures have not been updated recently to incorporate the current Federal regulation requirements. Effect: The Organization is not compliant with Federal regulations requiring written policies and procedures. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization approve and incorporate the policy updates incorporated within the August 2023 updated policies and procedures to ensure compliance with required regulations. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this recommendation and will review and update its current Financial Procedures to ensure compliance.
Finding 2022-001: Noncompliance with Procurement Policy Requirements Programs - CFDA 21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and CFDA 93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) Health Department Response to Public Health or Healthcare Crisis Criteria: As required by 2 CFR 200, Subparts D and E (2 CFR sections 200.300 and 200.400, respectively), entities are required to maintain written policies, procedures, and standards of conduct (?policies?) for certain areas of its operation. The following sections of the Uniform Guidance require nonfederal entities that receive federal awards to establish written policies, procedures, or standards of conduct: ? Financial management (200.302) ? Federal payment (200.305) ? General procurement standards (200.318) ? Competition (200.319) ? Methods of procurement to be followed (200.320) ? Compensation?fringe benefits (200.431) ? Relocation costs of employees (200.464) ? Travel costs (200.475) Condition: Review of the Organization?s Financial Procedure manual noted it was updated August 2023, with the previous update being done in February 2014 ? prior to the year under audit. The 2014 update did not contain all of the required elements under 2 CFR 200, Subparts D and E (2 CFR sections 200.300 and 200.400). Cause: The Financial Procedures have not been updated recently to incorporate the current Federal regulation requirements. Effect: The Organization is not compliant with Federal regulations requiring written policies and procedures. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization approve and incorporate the policy updates incorporated within the August 2023 updated policies and procedures to ensure compliance with required regulations. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this recommendation and will review and update its current Financial Procedures to ensure compliance.
Finding No. 2022-003: Allowability of Costs Federal Program: Research and Development Cluster, ALN 93.396, 93.361, 93.395, Award Numbers R01CA172513, R01NR018434, R01CA215651 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through entity: N/A Federal Award year: August 6, 2020 through February 28, 2023, July 23, 2019 through July 31, 2023, August 28, 2020 through July 31, 2023 Criteria or Requirement: Per 2 CFR 200.303, the nonfederal entity must 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. Uniform Guidance Part ?200.300(b), statutory and national policy requirements, establishes that the non Federal entity is responsible for complying with all requirements of the Federal award. Federal awards under the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016 (H.R. 2029) granted by HHS National Institute of Health (NIH), have restrictions on the amount of direct salary charged to the awards limited to the Executive Level II of the Federal Executive pay scale (salary cap). Uniform Guidance Part ?200.408, limitation on allowance of costs, states that the Federal award may be subject to statutory requirements that limit the allowability of costs. When the maximum allowable under a limitation is less than the total amount of the award, the amount not recoverable under the Federal award may not be charged to the Federal award. Condition Found, Including Perspective: During our testwork over the NIH salary cap, we identified three individuals in a sample of 10 with a salary charged to an award in excess of the salary cap by $3,206. The sampled salary for NIH salary cap population was a charge to the grant of $187,586. Total salary charged to NIH was $2,128,430. Cause and Possible Effect: While there is a control in place to review all effort charged to NIH grants to ensure that charges, including any relevant cost transfers, do not exceed the defined salary cap, the control was not operating effectively in order to identify the overages. Questioned Costs: $3,206 Statistical Validity: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding in the Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend that management review its current policies and reinforce through training the elements necessary to fully comply with its policies and all requirements governing salary cap allowability. Views of Responsible Officials: Atrium Health management agrees with the finding. To address the current year finding, Office of Sponsored Programs has implemented internal control improvements to ensure all requirements that limit the salary cap allowability of costs are completed and documented appropriately.
Finding No. 2022-003: Allowability of Costs Federal Program: Research and Development Cluster, ALN 93.396, 93.361, 93.395, Award Numbers R01CA172513, R01NR018434, R01CA215651 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through entity: N/A Federal Award year: August 6, 2020 through February 28, 2023, July 23, 2019 through July 31, 2023, August 28, 2020 through July 31, 2023 Criteria or Requirement: Per 2 CFR 200.303, the nonfederal entity must 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. Uniform Guidance Part ?200.300(b), statutory and national policy requirements, establishes that the non Federal entity is responsible for complying with all requirements of the Federal award. Federal awards under the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016 (H.R. 2029) granted by HHS National Institute of Health (NIH), have restrictions on the amount of direct salary charged to the awards limited to the Executive Level II of the Federal Executive pay scale (salary cap). Uniform Guidance Part ?200.408, limitation on allowance of costs, states that the Federal award may be subject to statutory requirements that limit the allowability of costs. When the maximum allowable under a limitation is less than the total amount of the award, the amount not recoverable under the Federal award may not be charged to the Federal award. Condition Found, Including Perspective: During our testwork over the NIH salary cap, we identified three individuals in a sample of 10 with a salary charged to an award in excess of the salary cap by $3,206. The sampled salary for NIH salary cap population was a charge to the grant of $187,586. Total salary charged to NIH was $2,128,430. Cause and Possible Effect: While there is a control in place to review all effort charged to NIH grants to ensure that charges, including any relevant cost transfers, do not exceed the defined salary cap, the control was not operating effectively in order to identify the overages. Questioned Costs: $3,206 Statistical Validity: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding in the Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend that management review its current policies and reinforce through training the elements necessary to fully comply with its policies and all requirements governing salary cap allowability. Views of Responsible Officials: Atrium Health management agrees with the finding. To address the current year finding, Office of Sponsored Programs has implemented internal control improvements to ensure all requirements that limit the salary cap allowability of costs are completed and documented appropriately.
Finding No. 2022-003: Allowability of Costs Federal Program: Research and Development Cluster, ALN 93.396, 93.361, 93.395, Award Numbers R01CA172513, R01NR018434, R01CA215651 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass through entity: N/A Federal Award year: August 6, 2020 through February 28, 2023, July 23, 2019 through July 31, 2023, August 28, 2020 through July 31, 2023 Criteria or Requirement: Per 2 CFR 200.303, the nonfederal entity must 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. Uniform Guidance Part ?200.300(b), statutory and national policy requirements, establishes that the non Federal entity is responsible for complying with all requirements of the Federal award. Federal awards under the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016 (H.R. 2029) granted by HHS National Institute of Health (NIH), have restrictions on the amount of direct salary charged to the awards limited to the Executive Level II of the Federal Executive pay scale (salary cap). Uniform Guidance Part ?200.408, limitation on allowance of costs, states that the Federal award may be subject to statutory requirements that limit the allowability of costs. When the maximum allowable under a limitation is less than the total amount of the award, the amount not recoverable under the Federal award may not be charged to the Federal award. Condition Found, Including Perspective: During our testwork over the NIH salary cap, we identified three individuals in a sample of 10 with a salary charged to an award in excess of the salary cap by $3,206. The sampled salary for NIH salary cap population was a charge to the grant of $187,586. Total salary charged to NIH was $2,128,430. Cause and Possible Effect: While there is a control in place to review all effort charged to NIH grants to ensure that charges, including any relevant cost transfers, do not exceed the defined salary cap, the control was not operating effectively in order to identify the overages. Questioned Costs: $3,206 Statistical Validity: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding in the Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend that management review its current policies and reinforce through training the elements necessary to fully comply with its policies and all requirements governing salary cap allowability. Views of Responsible Officials: Atrium Health management agrees with the finding. To address the current year finding, Office of Sponsored Programs has implemented internal control improvements to ensure all requirements that limit the salary cap allowability of costs are completed and documented appropriately.
Federal Agency: Department of Justice Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 16.756, 16.726 Programs: Court Appointed Special Advocates, Juvenile Mentoring Program Award/Pass-Through Entity Identifying Numbers: 2018-CH-BX-K001, 15PJDP-21-GK-02762-CASA, 2019-MU-FX-0004, 2020-JU-FX-0028 Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR §200.403 states that for costs to be allowable under federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation. “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. 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).” Condition: National CASA/GAL allocated expenditures to programs during 2022 based on a direct allocation methodology. This allocation is done manually, and the support was inconsistently maintained. During our testing of costs (excluding salaries, see finding 2022-003), we noted in accordance with §200.403(g) that: For Court Appointed Special Advocates: • One of 60 transactions was partially charged in the incorrect fiscal period. • One of 60 transactions underlying supporting documentation was not retained. • 19 of 60 transactions had inconsistent allocation methods (based on an estimated metric such as estimated time on program or square feet space utilized) applied to costs. • 21 of 60 transactions lacked documentation of review and approval of the allocation of costs made through journal entries. For the Juvenile Mentoring Program: • One of 60 transactions lacked documentation of all required reviews and approvals. • One of 60 transactions the incorrect allocation rate was utilized. • One of 60 transactions underlying supporting documentation was not retained. • 27 of 60 transactions lacked documentation of review and approval of the allocation of costs made through journal entries. Cause: National CASA/GAL did not have procedures in place to document, and maintain the documentation of, the review and approval of the allocation methodology and the allocation of costs (journal entries). Effect or Potential Effect: Without adequate controls in place to ensure costs are allowable and reimbursable, including controls over review of allocation methodologies, National CASA/GAL could incorrectly charge expenditures to the federal programs. Questioned Costs Court Appointed Special Advocates: Below reporting threshold. Questioned Costs Juvenile Mentoring Program: Below reporting threshold. Context: This is a condition identified per review of National CASA/GAL’s compliance with specified requirements not using a statistically valid sample. Nonpayroll costs for the Court Appointed Special Advocates in 2022 were $6,500,295. The sample tested consisted of 60 transactions totaling $165,919. Nonpayroll costs for the Juvenile Mentoring Program in 2022 were $2,401,373. The sample tested consisted of 60 transactions totaling $151,177. Questioned costs consist of amounts lacking underlying support or amounts in excess of supported allocations. For Court Appointed Special Advocates, four transactions resulted in questioned costs of $3,139. For the Juvenile Mentoring Program, two transactions resulted in questioned costs of $456. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that policies and procedures be updated to ensure underlying support, as well as support for allocations is appropriately maintained as required by §200.403. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs with the finding that procedures should specify that documentation of review and approval of both the costs charged and the allocation method of costs charged to federal grants be maintained. Management put policies in place to capture the documentation and maintenance of documentation indicating supervisor review and approval.
Federal Agency: Department of Justice Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 16.756, 16.726 Programs: Court Appointed Special Advocates, Juvenile Mentoring Program Award/Pass-Through Entity Identifying Numbers: 2018-CH-BX-K001, 15PJDP-21-GK-02762-CASA, 2019-MU-FX-0004, 2020-JU-FX-0028 Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR §200.403 states that for costs to be allowable under federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation. “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. 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).” Condition: National CASA/GAL allocated expenditures to programs during 2022 based on a direct allocation methodology. This allocation is done manually, and the support was inconsistently maintained. During our testing of costs (excluding salaries, see finding 2022-003), we noted in accordance with §200.403(g) that: For Court Appointed Special Advocates: • One of 60 transactions was partially charged in the incorrect fiscal period. • One of 60 transactions underlying supporting documentation was not retained. • 19 of 60 transactions had inconsistent allocation methods (based on an estimated metric such as estimated time on program or square feet space utilized) applied to costs. • 21 of 60 transactions lacked documentation of review and approval of the allocation of costs made through journal entries. For the Juvenile Mentoring Program: • One of 60 transactions lacked documentation of all required reviews and approvals. • One of 60 transactions the incorrect allocation rate was utilized. • One of 60 transactions underlying supporting documentation was not retained. • 27 of 60 transactions lacked documentation of review and approval of the allocation of costs made through journal entries. Cause: National CASA/GAL did not have procedures in place to document, and maintain the documentation of, the review and approval of the allocation methodology and the allocation of costs (journal entries). Effect or Potential Effect: Without adequate controls in place to ensure costs are allowable and reimbursable, including controls over review of allocation methodologies, National CASA/GAL could incorrectly charge expenditures to the federal programs. Questioned Costs Court Appointed Special Advocates: Below reporting threshold. Questioned Costs Juvenile Mentoring Program: Below reporting threshold. Context: This is a condition identified per review of National CASA/GAL’s compliance with specified requirements not using a statistically valid sample. Nonpayroll costs for the Court Appointed Special Advocates in 2022 were $6,500,295. The sample tested consisted of 60 transactions totaling $165,919. Nonpayroll costs for the Juvenile Mentoring Program in 2022 were $2,401,373. The sample tested consisted of 60 transactions totaling $151,177. Questioned costs consist of amounts lacking underlying support or amounts in excess of supported allocations. For Court Appointed Special Advocates, four transactions resulted in questioned costs of $3,139. For the Juvenile Mentoring Program, two transactions resulted in questioned costs of $456. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that policies and procedures be updated to ensure underlying support, as well as support for allocations is appropriately maintained as required by §200.403. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs with the finding that procedures should specify that documentation of review and approval of both the costs charged and the allocation method of costs charged to federal grants be maintained. Management put policies in place to capture the documentation and maintenance of documentation indicating supervisor review and approval.
Federal Agency: Department of Justice Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 16.756, 16.726 Programs: Court Appointed Special Advocates, Juvenile Mentoring Program Award/Pass-Through Entity Identifying Numbers: 2018-CH-BX-K001, 15PJDP-21-GK-02762-CASA, 2019-MU-FX-0004, 2020-JU-FX-0028 Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR §200.403 states that for costs to be allowable under federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation. “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. 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).” Condition: National CASA/GAL allocated expenditures to programs during 2022 based on a direct allocation methodology. This allocation is done manually, and the support was inconsistently maintained. During our testing of costs (excluding salaries, see finding 2022-003), we noted in accordance with §200.403(g) that: For Court Appointed Special Advocates: • One of 60 transactions was partially charged in the incorrect fiscal period. • One of 60 transactions underlying supporting documentation was not retained. • 19 of 60 transactions had inconsistent allocation methods (based on an estimated metric such as estimated time on program or square feet space utilized) applied to costs. • 21 of 60 transactions lacked documentation of review and approval of the allocation of costs made through journal entries. For the Juvenile Mentoring Program: • One of 60 transactions lacked documentation of all required reviews and approvals. • One of 60 transactions the incorrect allocation rate was utilized. • One of 60 transactions underlying supporting documentation was not retained. • 27 of 60 transactions lacked documentation of review and approval of the allocation of costs made through journal entries. Cause: National CASA/GAL did not have procedures in place to document, and maintain the documentation of, the review and approval of the allocation methodology and the allocation of costs (journal entries). Effect or Potential Effect: Without adequate controls in place to ensure costs are allowable and reimbursable, including controls over review of allocation methodologies, National CASA/GAL could incorrectly charge expenditures to the federal programs. Questioned Costs Court Appointed Special Advocates: Below reporting threshold. Questioned Costs Juvenile Mentoring Program: Below reporting threshold. Context: This is a condition identified per review of National CASA/GAL’s compliance with specified requirements not using a statistically valid sample. Nonpayroll costs for the Court Appointed Special Advocates in 2022 were $6,500,295. The sample tested consisted of 60 transactions totaling $165,919. Nonpayroll costs for the Juvenile Mentoring Program in 2022 were $2,401,373. The sample tested consisted of 60 transactions totaling $151,177. Questioned costs consist of amounts lacking underlying support or amounts in excess of supported allocations. For Court Appointed Special Advocates, four transactions resulted in questioned costs of $3,139. For the Juvenile Mentoring Program, two transactions resulted in questioned costs of $456. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that policies and procedures be updated to ensure underlying support, as well as support for allocations is appropriately maintained as required by §200.403. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs with the finding that procedures should specify that documentation of review and approval of both the costs charged and the allocation method of costs charged to federal grants be maintained. Management put policies in place to capture the documentation and maintenance of documentation indicating supervisor review and approval.
Federal Agency: Department of Justice Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 16.756, 16.726 Programs: Court Appointed Special Advocates, Juvenile Mentoring Program Award/Pass-Through Entity Identifying Numbers: 2018-CH-BX-K001, 15PJDP-21-GK-02762-CASA, 2019-MU-FX-0004, 2020-JU-FX-0028 Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR §200.403 states that for costs to be allowable under federal awards, they must be adequately documented and there must be sufficient documentation. “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. 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).” Condition: National CASA/GAL allocated expenditures to programs during 2022 based on a direct allocation methodology. This allocation is done manually, and the support was inconsistently maintained. During our testing of costs (excluding salaries, see finding 2022-003), we noted in accordance with §200.403(g) that: For Court Appointed Special Advocates: • One of 60 transactions was partially charged in the incorrect fiscal period. • One of 60 transactions underlying supporting documentation was not retained. • 19 of 60 transactions had inconsistent allocation methods (based on an estimated metric such as estimated time on program or square feet space utilized) applied to costs. • 21 of 60 transactions lacked documentation of review and approval of the allocation of costs made through journal entries. For the Juvenile Mentoring Program: • One of 60 transactions lacked documentation of all required reviews and approvals. • One of 60 transactions the incorrect allocation rate was utilized. • One of 60 transactions underlying supporting documentation was not retained. • 27 of 60 transactions lacked documentation of review and approval of the allocation of costs made through journal entries. Cause: National CASA/GAL did not have procedures in place to document, and maintain the documentation of, the review and approval of the allocation methodology and the allocation of costs (journal entries). Effect or Potential Effect: Without adequate controls in place to ensure costs are allowable and reimbursable, including controls over review of allocation methodologies, National CASA/GAL could incorrectly charge expenditures to the federal programs. Questioned Costs Court Appointed Special Advocates: Below reporting threshold. Questioned Costs Juvenile Mentoring Program: Below reporting threshold. Context: This is a condition identified per review of National CASA/GAL’s compliance with specified requirements not using a statistically valid sample. Nonpayroll costs for the Court Appointed Special Advocates in 2022 were $6,500,295. The sample tested consisted of 60 transactions totaling $165,919. Nonpayroll costs for the Juvenile Mentoring Program in 2022 were $2,401,373. The sample tested consisted of 60 transactions totaling $151,177. Questioned costs consist of amounts lacking underlying support or amounts in excess of supported allocations. For Court Appointed Special Advocates, four transactions resulted in questioned costs of $3,139. For the Juvenile Mentoring Program, two transactions resulted in questioned costs of $456. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that policies and procedures be updated to ensure underlying support, as well as support for allocations is appropriately maintained as required by §200.403. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs with the finding that procedures should specify that documentation of review and approval of both the costs charged and the allocation method of costs charged to federal grants be maintained. Management put policies in place to capture the documentation and maintenance of documentation indicating supervisor review and approval.
Item 2022-001: Reporting Federal program: ALN 93.479 ? Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country Federal award grant numbers and years: 6 NU58DP006720-03-03 ? 2022 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services?Center for Disease Control and Prevention Pass-through entity: None Criteria: The Organization is required to comply with 2 CFR Subpart D 200.300 (b) which indicates that a non-Federal entity is responsible for complying with Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA). FFATA requires prime grant recipients to file a FFATA sub-award report by the end of the month following the month in which the prime recipient awards any sub-grant greater than or equal to $30,000. Condition: During our testing of the reporting requirements, we noted subawards to seven subrecipients where the FFATA sub-award report was not filed timely. The amount of subawards required to be reported were $874,045. Subsequent to year end, the Organization prepared and submitted the FFATA sub-award reports. Cause: The Organization was unaware of the FFATA reporting requirement as the requirement was not explicit in the grant agreement. Effect: Potential loss or suspension of grant funding. Questioned costs: None Prevalence: The population of first-tier subwards subject to reporting requirements included seven subawards. The sample size of seven was determined using guidance in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Audit and Accounting Guide?Government Auditing Standards and Single Audits. Our sample was not a statistical sample. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement procedures to comply with the requirements of FFATA. Views of responsible officials of the auditee: We agree with the above finding and our response is included in the corrective action plan.
Item 2022-001: Reporting Federal program: ALN 93.479 ? Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country Federal award grant numbers and years: 6 NU58DP006720-03-03 ? 2022 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services?Center for Disease Control and Prevention Pass-through entity: None Criteria: The Organization is required to comply with 2 CFR Subpart D 200.300 (b) which indicates that a non-Federal entity is responsible for complying with Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA). FFATA requires prime grant recipients to file a FFATA sub-award report by the end of the month following the month in which the prime recipient awards any sub-grant greater than or equal to $30,000. Condition: During our testing of the reporting requirements, we noted subawards to seven subrecipients where the FFATA sub-award report was not filed timely. The amount of subawards required to be reported were $874,045. Subsequent to year end, the Organization prepared and submitted the FFATA sub-award reports. Cause: The Organization was unaware of the FFATA reporting requirement as the requirement was not explicit in the grant agreement. Effect: Potential loss or suspension of grant funding. Questioned costs: None Prevalence: The population of first-tier subwards subject to reporting requirements included seven subawards. The sample size of seven was determined using guidance in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Audit and Accounting Guide?Government Auditing Standards and Single Audits. Our sample was not a statistical sample. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement procedures to comply with the requirements of FFATA. Views of responsible officials of the auditee: We agree with the above finding and our response is included in the corrective action plan.
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.