Reference Number: 2022-029 Prior Year Finding: 2021-018 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education State Agency: Agency of Education (Agency) Federal Program: COVID-19 ? Governor?s Emergency Education Relief Fund COVID-19 ? Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) COVID-19 ? American Rescue Plan ? Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Assistance Listing Number: 84.425C, 84.425D, 84.425U Award Number and Year: S425D210011 (1/5/2021 ? 9/30/2022) S425U210011 (3/24/2021 ? 9/30/2023) Compliance Requirement: Reporting ? Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), prime (direct) recipients of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Reports must be filed in FSRS 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. If the initial award is below $30,000 but subsequent grant modifications result in a total award equal to or over $30,000, the award will be subject to the reporting requirements as of the date the award exceeds $30,000. If the initial award equals or exceeds $30,000 but funding is subsequently de-obligated such that the total award amount falls below $30,000, the award continues to be subject to FFATA reporting requirements. The following key data elements must be reported: Subawardee Name and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; Amount of Subaward (inclusive of modifications); Subaward Obligation/Action Date; Date of Report Submission; Subaward Number; Project Description; and Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers. (Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers must only be reported when the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal awards; and $30,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal awards; and the public does not have access to this information about the compensation of the senior executives of the entity through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. ?? 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.) Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency of Education (Agency) was not in compliance with FSRS reporting requirements. Several subawards and subaward modifications were not reported to FSRS or were not reported timely. Context: Ten of thirty-two subawards selected for testing were not in compliance with FFATA reporting requirements. The following exceptions were noted: ? 2 of 32 subawards were not reported to FSRS. ? 5 of 32 subawards were issued amendments to the original subaward, but the amendments were not reported to FSRS. ? 2 of 32 subawards were not reported timely to FSRS. ? 1 of 32 subawards were issued amendments to the original subaward, but the amendments were not reported timely to FSRS. SEE SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR CHART/TABLE Cause: The Agency?s procedures were not sufficient to ensure that all subawards and subaward amendments were reported timely to FSRS. Internal controls did not prevent or detect the errors. Effect: Subawards were not reported accurately to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Questioned costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required subawards and subaward amendments are reported timely to FSRS no later than the end of the month following the month of issuance. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-030 Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Immunization Cooperative Agreements, COVID-19 - Immunization Cooperative Agreements Assistance Listing Number: 93.268 Award Number and Year: 19NH23IP922615 (7/1/2020 ? 6/30/2024) Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 200.403(a), except where otherwise authorized by statute, in order for a cost to be allowable under Federal awards it must be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. Per 2 CFR section 200.405, a cost is allocable to a particular Federal award or other cost objective if the goods or services involved are chargeable or assignable to that Federal award or cost objective in accordance with relative benefits received. This standard is met if the cost: (1) Is incurred specifically for the Federal award; (2) Benefits both the Federal award and other work of the non-Federal entity and can be distributed in proportions that may be approximated using reasonable methods; and (3) Is necessary to the overall operation of the non-Federal entity and is assignable in part to the Federal award in accordance with the principles in this subpart. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency included an unallowable cost in an administrative cost pool which was allocated to the program. Context: The Agency?s Department of Health (Department) charged a settlement payment of $3,891.30 related to a Superfund site lawsuit to an administrative cost pool, and a portion of this payment was allocated to the program. The allocated cost was not necessary or reasonable for the performance of the Federal award nor was it assignable in part to the Federal award as a cost necessary to the overall operation of the Department. Cause: The Agency?s internal controls were not operating sufficiently to ensure that costs charged to an administrative cost pool were allowable and allocable per the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.403 and 200.405. Effect: Unallowable costs were allocated to the program. Questioned costs: Undetermined, due to the distribution of costs through the Department?s approved cost allocation plan. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that costs charged to administrative cost pools are allowable and allocable per 2 CFR sections 200.403 and 200.405. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-031 Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Immunization Cooperative Agreements, COVID-19 - Immunization Cooperative Agreements Assistance Listing Number: 93.268 Award Number and Year: 19NH23IP922615 (7/1/2020 ? 6/30/2024) Compliance Requirement: Reporting ? Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), prime (direct) recipients of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Reports must be filed in FSRS 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. If the initial award is below $30,000 but subsequent grant modifications result in a total award equal to or over $30,000, the award will be subject to the reporting requirements as of the date the award exceeds $30,000. If the initial award equals or exceeds $30,000 but funding is subsequently de-obligated such that the total award amount falls below $30,000, the award continues to be subject to FFATA reporting requirements. The following key data elements must be reported: Subawardee Name and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; Amount of Subaward (inclusive of modifications); Subaward Obligation/Action Date; Date of Report Submission; Subaward Number; Project Description; and Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers. (Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers must only be reported when the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal awards; and $30,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal awards; and the public does not have access to this information about the compensation of the senior executives of the entity through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. ?? 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.) Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: Subaward information was not reported to FSRS timely. The reporting deadline is no later than the last day of the month following the month in which a subaward is issued, but the Agency submitted reports after the due date. Context: Five of five subawards selected for testing were not reported timely to FSRS. Four of the five subawards tested were reported between 6 and 68 days late. One of the five subawards tested was issued in March 2022, but was not reported to FSRS until September 2022, or about five months after the due date. SEE SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR CHART/TABLE Cause: The Agency?s internal controls were not operating sufficiently to ensure that subawards were reported timely to FSRS. For one of the exceptions noted, the late report was initially caused by a delay in the grantee obtaining a Unique Entity ID (UEI), however, the Agency failed to report the subaward timely after the grantee?s UEI became available. Effect: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Questioned costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required subawards are reported timely to FSRS no later than the end of the month following the month of issuance, in accordance with FFATA requirements. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-030 Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Immunization Cooperative Agreements, COVID-19 - Immunization Cooperative Agreements Assistance Listing Number: 93.268 Award Number and Year: 19NH23IP922615 (7/1/2020 ? 6/30/2024) Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 200.403(a), except where otherwise authorized by statute, in order for a cost to be allowable under Federal awards it must be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. Per 2 CFR section 200.405, a cost is allocable to a particular Federal award or other cost objective if the goods or services involved are chargeable or assignable to that Federal award or cost objective in accordance with relative benefits received. This standard is met if the cost: (1) Is incurred specifically for the Federal award; (2) Benefits both the Federal award and other work of the non-Federal entity and can be distributed in proportions that may be approximated using reasonable methods; and (3) Is necessary to the overall operation of the non-Federal entity and is assignable in part to the Federal award in accordance with the principles in this subpart. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency included an unallowable cost in an administrative cost pool which was allocated to the program. Context: The Agency?s Department of Health (Department) charged a settlement payment of $3,891.30 related to a Superfund site lawsuit to an administrative cost pool, and a portion of this payment was allocated to the program. The allocated cost was not necessary or reasonable for the performance of the Federal award nor was it assignable in part to the Federal award as a cost necessary to the overall operation of the Department. Cause: The Agency?s internal controls were not operating sufficiently to ensure that costs charged to an administrative cost pool were allowable and allocable per the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.403 and 200.405. Effect: Unallowable costs were allocated to the program. Questioned costs: Undetermined, due to the distribution of costs through the Department?s approved cost allocation plan. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that costs charged to administrative cost pools are allowable and allocable per 2 CFR sections 200.403 and 200.405. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-031 Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Immunization Cooperative Agreements, COVID-19 - Immunization Cooperative Agreements Assistance Listing Number: 93.268 Award Number and Year: 19NH23IP922615 (7/1/2020 ? 6/30/2024) Compliance Requirement: Reporting ? Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), prime (direct) recipients of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Reports must be filed in FSRS 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. If the initial award is below $30,000 but subsequent grant modifications result in a total award equal to or over $30,000, the award will be subject to the reporting requirements as of the date the award exceeds $30,000. If the initial award equals or exceeds $30,000 but funding is subsequently de-obligated such that the total award amount falls below $30,000, the award continues to be subject to FFATA reporting requirements. The following key data elements must be reported: Subawardee Name and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; Amount of Subaward (inclusive of modifications); Subaward Obligation/Action Date; Date of Report Submission; Subaward Number; Project Description; and Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers. (Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers must only be reported when the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal awards; and $30,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal awards; and the public does not have access to this information about the compensation of the senior executives of the entity through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. ?? 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.) Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: Subaward information was not reported to FSRS timely. The reporting deadline is no later than the last day of the month following the month in which a subaward is issued, but the Agency submitted reports after the due date. Context: Five of five subawards selected for testing were not reported timely to FSRS. Four of the five subawards tested were reported between 6 and 68 days late. One of the five subawards tested was issued in March 2022, but was not reported to FSRS until September 2022, or about five months after the due date. SEE SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR CHART/TABLE Cause: The Agency?s internal controls were not operating sufficiently to ensure that subawards were reported timely to FSRS. For one of the exceptions noted, the late report was initially caused by a delay in the grantee obtaining a Unique Entity ID (UEI), however, the Agency failed to report the subaward timely after the grantee?s UEI became available. Effect: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Questioned costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required subawards are reported timely to FSRS no later than the end of the month following the month of issuance, in accordance with FFATA requirements. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-032 Prior Year Finding: 2021-019 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC), COVID-19 ? Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Assistance Listing Number: 93.323 Award Number and Year: 19NU50CK000520 (8/1/2019 ? 7/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Reporting Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are required to submit quarterly Performance Measure Reports and Financial Reports, no later than 30 days after the end of each quarter, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency did not submit Performance Measure reports in a timely manner and documentation to support both Performance Measures and Financial reports was either missing or did not agree to submitted reports. Context: Performance Measure Reports: Reports for two quarters were selected for testing in which six performance reports were reviewed. Financial Reports: Reports for two quarters were selected for testing in which ten financial reports were reviewed. We noted the following exceptions: ? 2 of 6 Performance Measure Data Reports were not filed in a timely manner. One report was submitted 15 days late and another was submitted 64 days late. ? For 2 of 6 Performance Measure reports, supporting documentation could not be provided. ? For 1 of 10 Financial reports, supporting documentation provided for unliquidated obligations did not agree with the information reported. Support indicated that $7,900 was unliquidated, but the amount reported was $790. Cause: Procedures and controls were insufficient to ensure that supporting documentation was maintained and available for audit and that reports were filed accurately and timely. The reports are filed electronically, and the Agency did not maintain copies of all supporting documentation used to prepare Performance Measure reports. In addition, the Agency made a data entry error on one of the Financial reports and controls did not detect or prevent the error. Effect: Performance measure data reported for the program was untimely and unsupported with adequate documentation. The Agency reported the incorrect value of unliquidated obligations on one Financial report. Questioned costs: Undetermined due to a lack of supporting documentation. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required reports are filed accurately and timely and that supporting documentation is maintained and is available for audit. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-033 Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC), COVID-19 ? Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Assistance Listing Number: 93.323 Award Number and Year: 19NU50CK000520 (8/1/2019 ? 7/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Reporting ? Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), prime (direct) recipients of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Reports must be filed in FSRS 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. If the initial award is below $30,000 but subsequent grant modifications result in a total award equal to or over $30,000, the award will be subject to the reporting requirements as of the date the award exceeds $30,000. If the initial award equals or exceeds $30,000 but funding is subsequently de-obligated such that the total award amount falls below $30,000, the award continues to be subject to FFATA reporting requirements. The following key data elements must be reported: Subawardee Name and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; Amount of Subaward (inclusive of modifications); Subaward Obligation/Action Date; Date of Report Submission; Subaward Number; Project Description; and Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers. (Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers must only be reported when the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal awards; and $30,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal awards; and the public does not have access to this information about the compensation of the senior executives of the entity through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. ?? 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.) Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: Subaward information was not reported to FSRS timely. The reporting deadline is no later than the last day of the month following the month in which a subaward is issued, but the Agency submitted several reports after the due date. Context: Four of five subawards selected for testing were not reported timely to FSRS. The subawards were issued in February 2022 and should have been reported no later than March 31, 2022, but they were all reported on April 22, 2022, which was 22 days after the due date. SEE SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR CHART/TABLE Cause: The Agency?s internal controls were not operating sufficiently to ensure that subawards were reported timely to FSRS. Effect: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Questioned costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required subawards are reported timely to FSRS no later than the end of the month following the month of issuance, in accordance with FFATA requirements. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-032 Prior Year Finding: 2021-019 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC), COVID-19 ? Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Assistance Listing Number: 93.323 Award Number and Year: 19NU50CK000520 (8/1/2019 ? 7/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Reporting Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are required to submit quarterly Performance Measure Reports and Financial Reports, no later than 30 days after the end of each quarter, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency did not submit Performance Measure reports in a timely manner and documentation to support both Performance Measures and Financial reports was either missing or did not agree to submitted reports. Context: Performance Measure Reports: Reports for two quarters were selected for testing in which six performance reports were reviewed. Financial Reports: Reports for two quarters were selected for testing in which ten financial reports were reviewed. We noted the following exceptions: ? 2 of 6 Performance Measure Data Reports were not filed in a timely manner. One report was submitted 15 days late and another was submitted 64 days late. ? For 2 of 6 Performance Measure reports, supporting documentation could not be provided. ? For 1 of 10 Financial reports, supporting documentation provided for unliquidated obligations did not agree with the information reported. Support indicated that $7,900 was unliquidated, but the amount reported was $790. Cause: Procedures and controls were insufficient to ensure that supporting documentation was maintained and available for audit and that reports were filed accurately and timely. The reports are filed electronically, and the Agency did not maintain copies of all supporting documentation used to prepare Performance Measure reports. In addition, the Agency made a data entry error on one of the Financial reports and controls did not detect or prevent the error. Effect: Performance measure data reported for the program was untimely and unsupported with adequate documentation. The Agency reported the incorrect value of unliquidated obligations on one Financial report. Questioned costs: Undetermined due to a lack of supporting documentation. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required reports are filed accurately and timely and that supporting documentation is maintained and is available for audit. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-033 Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC), COVID-19 ? Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Assistance Listing Number: 93.323 Award Number and Year: 19NU50CK000520 (8/1/2019 ? 7/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Reporting ? Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), prime (direct) recipients of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Reports must be filed in FSRS 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. If the initial award is below $30,000 but subsequent grant modifications result in a total award equal to or over $30,000, the award will be subject to the reporting requirements as of the date the award exceeds $30,000. If the initial award equals or exceeds $30,000 but funding is subsequently de-obligated such that the total award amount falls below $30,000, the award continues to be subject to FFATA reporting requirements. The following key data elements must be reported: Subawardee Name and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; Amount of Subaward (inclusive of modifications); Subaward Obligation/Action Date; Date of Report Submission; Subaward Number; Project Description; and Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers. (Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers must only be reported when the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal awards; and $30,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal awards; and the public does not have access to this information about the compensation of the senior executives of the entity through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. ?? 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.) Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: Subaward information was not reported to FSRS timely. The reporting deadline is no later than the last day of the month following the month in which a subaward is issued, but the Agency submitted several reports after the due date. Context: Four of five subawards selected for testing were not reported timely to FSRS. The subawards were issued in February 2022 and should have been reported no later than March 31, 2022, but they were all reported on April 22, 2022, which was 22 days after the due date. SEE SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR CHART/TABLE Cause: The Agency?s internal controls were not operating sufficiently to ensure that subawards were reported timely to FSRS. Effect: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Questioned costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required subawards are reported timely to FSRS no later than the end of the month following the month of issuance, in accordance with FFATA requirements. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-034 Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Foster Care ? Title IV-E Assistance Listing Number: 93.658 Award Number and Year: 2101VTFOST (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2201VTFOST (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Eligibility Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: A foster care provider, whether a foster family home or a child-care institution must be fully licensed by the proper State or tribal foster care licensing authority responsible for licensing such homes or child care institutions. The term ?child care institution? as defined in 45 CFR section 1355.20 includes a private child care institution, or a public child care institution which accommodates no more than 25 children, which is licensed by the State in which it is situated or has been approved, by the agency of such State responsible for licensing or approval of institutions of this type, as meeting the standards established for such licensing, but does not include detention facilities, forestry camps, training schools, or facilities operated primarily for the purpose of detention of children who are determined to be delinquent (42 USC 671(a)(10) and 672(c)). Effective October 1, 2010, the existing statutory definition of a child care institution includes a supervised setting in which an individual who has attained 18 years of age is living independently, consistent with conditions the Secretary establishes in regulations (42 USC 672(c)(2)). Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency of Human Services (Agency) was unable to provide documentation that all providers were fully licensed and determined eligible by the State foster care licensing authority to provide Foster Care services prior to issuance of payment for services provided to the program. Context: Sixty cases were selected for testing and the following exceptions were noted: ? For 2 of 60 cases, the providers were unlicensed at the time payment was made. License packets contain the criminal background and child abuse registry checks, therefore these criteria were unable to be verified. ? For 1 of 60 cases, the Agency was unable to provide documentation that the provider had been determined eligible. The Federal Share paid to the provider was $480. Cause: The Agency did not have sufficient controls in place to ensure that all providers were properly licensed and determined eligible to provide Foster Care services prior to issuance of payment. Effect The Agency made payments to unlicensed providers, and it was unable to provide documentation that another provider was properly licensed and eligible to provide services prior to issuing payments using Foster Care funds. Questioned costs: Below the reportable limit. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review its procedures and controls over the licensing of providers to ensure that it maintains documentation that all providers are fully licensed and eligible to provide services prior to paying for services using federal Foster Care funds. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-035 Prior Year Finding: 2021-023 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Children?s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Assistance Listing Number: 93.767 Award Number and Year: 2005VT5021 (10/1/2019 ? 9/30/2021) 2105VT5021 (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Eligibility Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Eligibility is based on the application of modified adjusted gross income and household definition, in addition to other permissible eligibility standards, for example standards relating to geographic area, age (up to, but not including age 19), and insurance status. States are directed at 42 CFR 457.340(d) to determine eligibility promptly and without undue delay and 42 CFR 435.912(c)(3) states that the determination of eligibility may not exceed 45 days. Over the course of the COVID-19 public health emergency, state Medicaid and CHIP agencies adopted many flexibilities offered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to respond effectively to local outbreaks, including changes to modify eligibility requirements and benefit packages. States have made policy, programmatic, and systems changes to respond effectively to COVID-19 including satisfying a ?continuous enrollment condition? for most Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries who were enrolled in the program as of or after March 18, 2020. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency of Human Services (Agency) did not document that a participant had turned 19 during the year and should be removed from enrollment at the conclusion of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). It also did not complete eligibility determinations in a timely manner. Context: Sixty participants were selected for testing and the following exceptions were noted: ? One of sixty participants selected for testing turned 19 during the fiscal year. Due to the ?continuous enrollment condition? of the PHE, the participant could not be removed from enrollment, but the Agency did not document that the participant should be removed from enrollment at the conclusion of the PHE. ? For one of sixty participants, eligibility determination exceeded 45 days. Cause: The Agency did not adequately follow procedures regarding eligibility in accordance with federal program requirements and internal controls did not detect or prevent the errors. Effect Failure to document that a participant should be removed from enrollment at the conclusion of the PHE could result in an ineligible participant receiving benefits from the program. Failure to complete eligibility determination timely could result in a delay in issuing benefits to participants. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend that the Agency review and enhance procedures and controls for CHIP beneficiary eligibility determination to ensure that eligibility is determined promptly within federal requirements. We further recommend that participants who become ineligible during the PHE are documented in a timely manner to ensure that benefits to ineligible participants are properly terminated at the conclusion of the PHE. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-036 Prior Year Finding: 2021-022 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Children?s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.767, 93.775, 96.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5021 (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5021 (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Provider Eligibility Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: In order to receive Medicaid or CHIP payments, providers must: (1) be licensed in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations to participate in the Medicaid or CHIP programs (42 CFR sections 431.107, 447.10 and 457.900); and Section 1902(a)(9) of the Social Security Act (42 USC 396a(a)(9)); (2) screened and enrolled in accordance with 42 CFR Part 455, Subpart E (sections 455.400 through 455.470); and make certain disclosures to the State (42 CFR part 455, subpart B, sections 455.100 through 455.106). Medicaid or CHIP managed care network providers are subject to the same disclosure, screening, enrollment, and termination requirements that apply to Medicaid fee-for-service providers in accordance with 42 CFR Part 438, Subpart H. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency did not maintain documentation to support provider eligibility to participate in the Medicaid and CHIP programs. The provider eligibility requirement is administered by a 3rd-party that is required to determine and document the provider?s eligibility with the Agency?s requirements. License renewal information was not updated on a timely basis in the Provider Management Module (PMM). Context: Sixty Medicaid and sixty CHIP providers were selected for testing. Specifically, we noted the following exceptions: 1. 2 of 60 Medicaid and 2 of 60 CHIP provider files did not have current license information in the PMM. 2. For 3 of 60 Medicaid providers, the State did not maintain proper documentation that revalidation occurred within the required 5-year time frame. These providers were due for revalidation prior to the onset of the Public Health Emergency. 3. Documentation was incomplete to support that 6 of 60 CHIP providers were compliant with Vermont State law that providers must be in good tax standing to receive Medicaid funding. Cause: The Agency did not adequately follow procedures regarding Medicaid and CHIP provider eligibility in accordance with federal program requirements. Internal controls did not detect or prevent the errors. Effect: The Agency was unable to support provider eligibility or consistent application of their internal control process. Failure to maintain complete provider files and ensure that provider licenses are kept current could allow program payments to be made to an ineligible and/or unlicensed provider. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review its procedures and controls to ensure that documentation is maintained in accordance with the federal program requirements and that provider revalidations are performed timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-036 Prior Year Finding: 2021-022 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Children?s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.767, 93.775, 96.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5021 (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5021 (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Provider Eligibility Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: In order to receive Medicaid or CHIP payments, providers must: (1) be licensed in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations to participate in the Medicaid or CHIP programs (42 CFR sections 431.107, 447.10 and 457.900); and Section 1902(a)(9) of the Social Security Act (42 USC 396a(a)(9)); (2) screened and enrolled in accordance with 42 CFR Part 455, Subpart E (sections 455.400 through 455.470); and make certain disclosures to the State (42 CFR part 455, subpart B, sections 455.100 through 455.106). Medicaid or CHIP managed care network providers are subject to the same disclosure, screening, enrollment, and termination requirements that apply to Medicaid fee-for-service providers in accordance with 42 CFR Part 438, Subpart H. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency did not maintain documentation to support provider eligibility to participate in the Medicaid and CHIP programs. The provider eligibility requirement is administered by a 3rd-party that is required to determine and document the provider?s eligibility with the Agency?s requirements. License renewal information was not updated on a timely basis in the Provider Management Module (PMM). Context: Sixty Medicaid and sixty CHIP providers were selected for testing. Specifically, we noted the following exceptions: 1. 2 of 60 Medicaid and 2 of 60 CHIP provider files did not have current license information in the PMM. 2. For 3 of 60 Medicaid providers, the State did not maintain proper documentation that revalidation occurred within the required 5-year time frame. These providers were due for revalidation prior to the onset of the Public Health Emergency. 3. Documentation was incomplete to support that 6 of 60 CHIP providers were compliant with Vermont State law that providers must be in good tax standing to receive Medicaid funding. Cause: The Agency did not adequately follow procedures regarding Medicaid and CHIP provider eligibility in accordance with federal program requirements. Internal controls did not detect or prevent the errors. Effect: The Agency was unable to support provider eligibility or consistent application of their internal control process. Failure to maintain complete provider files and ensure that provider licenses are kept current could allow program payments to be made to an ineligible and/or unlicensed provider. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review its procedures and controls to ensure that documentation is maintained in accordance with the federal program requirements and that provider revalidations are performed timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-037 Prior Year Finding: 2021-025 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services Federal Program: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.775, 93.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Provider Health and Safety Standards Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Providers must meet the prescribed health and safety standards for hospital, nursing facilities, and ICF/IID (42 CFR part 442). The standards may be modified in the State Plan. The Medicaid Provider Enrollment Compendium (MPEC) requires that State Medicaid Agencies perform screening of providers based upon their risk level. Screening includes verifications of licenses and compliance with all federal and state regulations of the program. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: We noted that the Agency did not maintain documentation to support providers? compliance with the prescribed health and safety standards. The Agency requires that providers complete a health and safety agreement in which they attest to compliance with the Agency?s health and safety requirements. The provider eligibility and health and safety requirements are administered by a 3rd-party that is required to determine and document providers? eligibility with the Agency?s requirements in the provider management module (PMM). Health and safety documentation was not consistently maintained in provider files and compliance could not be verified. Context: Of the 60 samples selected for testing, health and safety standards could not be verified for the following: 1. 39 of 60 provider files did not have current license information maintained in the PMM and the monthly screening process was not followed to validate the licenses. 2. One provider file was not available for review. 3. 3 of 60 provider files did not contain documentation that the provider was in good tax standing. Cause: The Agency?s 3rd-Party provider did not consistently maintain current documentation in the provider management module and controls did not detect or prevent the errors. Effect: Failure to verify and document compliance with health and safety standards could allow ineligible providers to perform services under the Medicaid program. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review its procedures and controls to ensure that documentation is maintained in accordance with program requirements and that all providers are compliant with required health and safety standards. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-038 Prior Year Finding: 2021-026 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services Federal Program: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.775, 93.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Reporting ? Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), prime (direct) recipients of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Reports must be filed in FSRS 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. If the initial award is below $30,000 but subsequent grant modifications result in a total award equal to or over $30,000, the award will be subject to the reporting requirements as of the date the award exceeds $30,000. If the initial award equals or exceeds $30,000 but funding is subsequently de-obligated such that the total award amount falls below $30,000, the award continues to be subject to FFATA reporting requirements. The following key data elements must be reported: Subawardee Name and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; Amount of Subaward (inclusive of modifications); Subaward Obligation/Action Date; Date of Report Submission; Subaward Number; Project Description; and Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers. (Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers must only be reported when the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal awards; and $30,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal awards; and the public does not have access to this information about the compensation of the senior executives of the entity through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. ?? 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.) Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. The following errors were noted: ? Eighteen subawards and subaward amendments were not reported to FSRS. ? Three subawards and subaward amendments were not reported timely. ? One subaward was reported under an incorrect DUNS number. Context: The Agency of Human Services (Agency) Internal Audit Group (IAG) reports subaward information in FSRS for its various departments using subaward information provided by the departments. Thirty-two subawards, totaling $10,711,156, were selected for testing and the following reporting errors were noted: ? Agency of Human Services Central Office (AHS-CO): Two subawards totaling $558,000 were not reported to FSRS. The subawards were issued on 10/1/2021 but were not reported to FSRS until after auditors selected them for testing. ? Department of Children and Families (DCF): One subaward of $32,284 was not reported timely. The subaward should have been reported no later than 1/31/2022 but it was reported on 2/17/2022, or 17 days late. ? Department of Mental Health (DMH): One subaward of $59,790 was not reported timely. The subaward should have been reported no later than 6/30/2022 but it was reported on 7/19/2022, or 19 days late. Three subaward amendments, totaling $31,475 were not reported to FSRS. ? Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL): One subaward of $42,369 was not reported timely. In addition, an amendment for the subaward was not reported. The amount not reported to FSRS was $8,400. ? Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA): Two subawards totaling $130,231 were not reported to FSRS. One subaward of $38,364 was reported under an incorrect DUNS number. ? Vermont Department of Health (VDH): Eleven subawards totaling $7,416,814 were not reported to FSRS. SEE SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR CHART/TABLE Cause: The individual departments did not provide the IAG with complete subaward information on a timely basis which caused errors and omissions in subaward reporting to FSRS. Effect: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Questioned costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required subawards and subaward modifications are reported accurately to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-039 Prior Year Finding: 2021-024 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.775, 96.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions ? Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: For all contracts, the state must ensure that each Managed Care Organization (MCO), Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP), and Prepaid Ambulatory Health Plan (PAHP) submits a report with the data elements specified in 42 CFR sections 438.8(k) and 438.8(n). The report should contain the required 13 data elements in the regulation, reflect the correct reporting years, and contain an attestation of accuracy regarding the calculation of the medical loss ratio. Managed care plans are required to submit the annual report in the time and manner established by the state, which must be within 12 months after the end of the MLR reporting year. The state should have a policy and procedure to indicate when the report(s) are due from plans and should not accept multiple submissions from plans unless the capitation payments are revised retroactively. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The 2020 Medical Loss Ratio report for the State?s Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) was not submitted within twelve months after the end of the reporting year. Context: The Agency of Human Services, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) acts as its own PIHP. DVHA was required to submit the PIHP?s Medical Loss Ratio report for the year ending 12/31/2020 no later than 12/31/2021 but the report was not submitted until 2/2/2022. Cause: The Agency did not adequately follow procedures regarding timely submission of the Medical Loss Ratio report for its PIHP. Effect: The Agency is out of compliance with MLR reporting requirements. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance its procedures and controls regarding Medical Loss Ratio reporting to ensure that reports for its PIHP are submitted timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-036 Prior Year Finding: 2021-022 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Children?s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.767, 93.775, 96.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5021 (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5021 (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Provider Eligibility Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: In order to receive Medicaid or CHIP payments, providers must: (1) be licensed in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations to participate in the Medicaid or CHIP programs (42 CFR sections 431.107, 447.10 and 457.900); and Section 1902(a)(9) of the Social Security Act (42 USC 396a(a)(9)); (2) screened and enrolled in accordance with 42 CFR Part 455, Subpart E (sections 455.400 through 455.470); and make certain disclosures to the State (42 CFR part 455, subpart B, sections 455.100 through 455.106). Medicaid or CHIP managed care network providers are subject to the same disclosure, screening, enrollment, and termination requirements that apply to Medicaid fee-for-service providers in accordance with 42 CFR Part 438, Subpart H. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency did not maintain documentation to support provider eligibility to participate in the Medicaid and CHIP programs. The provider eligibility requirement is administered by a 3rd-party that is required to determine and document the provider?s eligibility with the Agency?s requirements. License renewal information was not updated on a timely basis in the Provider Management Module (PMM). Context: Sixty Medicaid and sixty CHIP providers were selected for testing. Specifically, we noted the following exceptions: 1. 2 of 60 Medicaid and 2 of 60 CHIP provider files did not have current license information in the PMM. 2. For 3 of 60 Medicaid providers, the State did not maintain proper documentation that revalidation occurred within the required 5-year time frame. These providers were due for revalidation prior to the onset of the Public Health Emergency. 3. Documentation was incomplete to support that 6 of 60 CHIP providers were compliant with Vermont State law that providers must be in good tax standing to receive Medicaid funding. Cause: The Agency did not adequately follow procedures regarding Medicaid and CHIP provider eligibility in accordance with federal program requirements. Internal controls did not detect or prevent the errors. Effect: The Agency was unable to support provider eligibility or consistent application of their internal control process. Failure to maintain complete provider files and ensure that provider licenses are kept current could allow program payments to be made to an ineligible and/or unlicensed provider. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review its procedures and controls to ensure that documentation is maintained in accordance with the federal program requirements and that provider revalidations are performed timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-037 Prior Year Finding: 2021-025 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services Federal Program: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.775, 93.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Provider Health and Safety Standards Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Providers must meet the prescribed health and safety standards for hospital, nursing facilities, and ICF/IID (42 CFR part 442). The standards may be modified in the State Plan. The Medicaid Provider Enrollment Compendium (MPEC) requires that State Medicaid Agencies perform screening of providers based upon their risk level. Screening includes verifications of licenses and compliance with all federal and state regulations of the program. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: We noted that the Agency did not maintain documentation to support providers? compliance with the prescribed health and safety standards. The Agency requires that providers complete a health and safety agreement in which they attest to compliance with the Agency?s health and safety requirements. The provider eligibility and health and safety requirements are administered by a 3rd-party that is required to determine and document providers? eligibility with the Agency?s requirements in the provider management module (PMM). Health and safety documentation was not consistently maintained in provider files and compliance could not be verified. Context: Of the 60 samples selected for testing, health and safety standards could not be verified for the following: 1. 39 of 60 provider files did not have current license information maintained in the PMM and the monthly screening process was not followed to validate the licenses. 2. One provider file was not available for review. 3. 3 of 60 provider files did not contain documentation that the provider was in good tax standing. Cause: The Agency?s 3rd-Party provider did not consistently maintain current documentation in the provider management module and controls did not detect or prevent the errors. Effect: Failure to verify and document compliance with health and safety standards could allow ineligible providers to perform services under the Medicaid program. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review its procedures and controls to ensure that documentation is maintained in accordance with program requirements and that all providers are compliant with required health and safety standards. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-038 Prior Year Finding: 2021-026 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services Federal Program: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.775, 93.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Reporting ? Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), prime (direct) recipients of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Reports must be filed in FSRS 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. If the initial award is below $30,000 but subsequent grant modifications result in a total award equal to or over $30,000, the award will be subject to the reporting requirements as of the date the award exceeds $30,000. If the initial award equals or exceeds $30,000 but funding is subsequently de-obligated such that the total award amount falls below $30,000, the award continues to be subject to FFATA reporting requirements. The following key data elements must be reported: Subawardee Name and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; Amount of Subaward (inclusive of modifications); Subaward Obligation/Action Date; Date of Report Submission; Subaward Number; Project Description; and Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers. (Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers must only be reported when the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal awards; and $30,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal awards; and the public does not have access to this information about the compensation of the senior executives of the entity through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. ?? 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.) Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. The following errors were noted: ? Eighteen subawards and subaward amendments were not reported to FSRS. ? Three subawards and subaward amendments were not reported timely. ? One subaward was reported under an incorrect DUNS number. Context: The Agency of Human Services (Agency) Internal Audit Group (IAG) reports subaward information in FSRS for its various departments using subaward information provided by the departments. Thirty-two subawards, totaling $10,711,156, were selected for testing and the following reporting errors were noted: ? Agency of Human Services Central Office (AHS-CO): Two subawards totaling $558,000 were not reported to FSRS. The subawards were issued on 10/1/2021 but were not reported to FSRS until after auditors selected them for testing. ? Department of Children and Families (DCF): One subaward of $32,284 was not reported timely. The subaward should have been reported no later than 1/31/2022 but it was reported on 2/17/2022, or 17 days late. ? Department of Mental Health (DMH): One subaward of $59,790 was not reported timely. The subaward should have been reported no later than 6/30/2022 but it was reported on 7/19/2022, or 19 days late. Three subaward amendments, totaling $31,475 were not reported to FSRS. ? Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL): One subaward of $42,369 was not reported timely. In addition, an amendment for the subaward was not reported. The amount not reported to FSRS was $8,400. ? Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA): Two subawards totaling $130,231 were not reported to FSRS. One subaward of $38,364 was reported under an incorrect DUNS number. ? Vermont Department of Health (VDH): Eleven subawards totaling $7,416,814 were not reported to FSRS. SEE SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR CHART/TABLE Cause: The individual departments did not provide the IAG with complete subaward information on a timely basis which caused errors and omissions in subaward reporting to FSRS. Effect: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Questioned costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required subawards and subaward modifications are reported accurately to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-039 Prior Year Finding: 2021-024 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.775, 96.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions ? Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: For all contracts, the state must ensure that each Managed Care Organization (MCO), Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP), and Prepaid Ambulatory Health Plan (PAHP) submits a report with the data elements specified in 42 CFR sections 438.8(k) and 438.8(n). The report should contain the required 13 data elements in the regulation, reflect the correct reporting years, and contain an attestation of accuracy regarding the calculation of the medical loss ratio. Managed care plans are required to submit the annual report in the time and manner established by the state, which must be within 12 months after the end of the MLR reporting year. The state should have a policy and procedure to indicate when the report(s) are due from plans and should not accept multiple submissions from plans unless the capitation payments are revised retroactively. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The 2020 Medical Loss Ratio report for the State?s Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) was not submitted within twelve months after the end of the reporting year. Context: The Agency of Human Services, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) acts as its own PIHP. DVHA was required to submit the PIHP?s Medical Loss Ratio report for the year ending 12/31/2020 no later than 12/31/2021 but the report was not submitted until 2/2/2022. Cause: The Agency did not adequately follow procedures regarding timely submission of the Medical Loss Ratio report for its PIHP. Effect: The Agency is out of compliance with MLR reporting requirements. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance its procedures and controls regarding Medical Loss Ratio reporting to ensure that reports for its PIHP are submitted timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-036 Prior Year Finding: 2021-022 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Children?s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.767, 93.775, 96.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5021 (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5021 (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Provider Eligibility Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: In order to receive Medicaid or CHIP payments, providers must: (1) be licensed in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations to participate in the Medicaid or CHIP programs (42 CFR sections 431.107, 447.10 and 457.900); and Section 1902(a)(9) of the Social Security Act (42 USC 396a(a)(9)); (2) screened and enrolled in accordance with 42 CFR Part 455, Subpart E (sections 455.400 through 455.470); and make certain disclosures to the State (42 CFR part 455, subpart B, sections 455.100 through 455.106). Medicaid or CHIP managed care network providers are subject to the same disclosure, screening, enrollment, and termination requirements that apply to Medicaid fee-for-service providers in accordance with 42 CFR Part 438, Subpart H. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The Agency did not maintain documentation to support provider eligibility to participate in the Medicaid and CHIP programs. The provider eligibility requirement is administered by a 3rd-party that is required to determine and document the provider?s eligibility with the Agency?s requirements. License renewal information was not updated on a timely basis in the Provider Management Module (PMM). Context: Sixty Medicaid and sixty CHIP providers were selected for testing. Specifically, we noted the following exceptions: 1. 2 of 60 Medicaid and 2 of 60 CHIP provider files did not have current license information in the PMM. 2. For 3 of 60 Medicaid providers, the State did not maintain proper documentation that revalidation occurred within the required 5-year time frame. These providers were due for revalidation prior to the onset of the Public Health Emergency. 3. Documentation was incomplete to support that 6 of 60 CHIP providers were compliant with Vermont State law that providers must be in good tax standing to receive Medicaid funding. Cause: The Agency did not adequately follow procedures regarding Medicaid and CHIP provider eligibility in accordance with federal program requirements. Internal controls did not detect or prevent the errors. Effect: The Agency was unable to support provider eligibility or consistent application of their internal control process. Failure to maintain complete provider files and ensure that provider licenses are kept current could allow program payments to be made to an ineligible and/or unlicensed provider. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review its procedures and controls to ensure that documentation is maintained in accordance with the federal program requirements and that provider revalidations are performed timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-037 Prior Year Finding: 2021-025 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services Federal Program: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.775, 93.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions - Provider Health and Safety Standards Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Providers must meet the prescribed health and safety standards for hospital, nursing facilities, and ICF/IID (42 CFR part 442). The standards may be modified in the State Plan. The Medicaid Provider Enrollment Compendium (MPEC) requires that State Medicaid Agencies perform screening of providers based upon their risk level. Screening includes verifications of licenses and compliance with all federal and state regulations of the program. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: We noted that the Agency did not maintain documentation to support providers? compliance with the prescribed health and safety standards. The Agency requires that providers complete a health and safety agreement in which they attest to compliance with the Agency?s health and safety requirements. The provider eligibility and health and safety requirements are administered by a 3rd-party that is required to determine and document providers? eligibility with the Agency?s requirements in the provider management module (PMM). Health and safety documentation was not consistently maintained in provider files and compliance could not be verified. Context: Of the 60 samples selected for testing, health and safety standards could not be verified for the following: 1. 39 of 60 provider files did not have current license information maintained in the PMM and the monthly screening process was not followed to validate the licenses. 2. One provider file was not available for review. 3. 3 of 60 provider files did not contain documentation that the provider was in good tax standing. Cause: The Agency?s 3rd-Party provider did not consistently maintain current documentation in the provider management module and controls did not detect or prevent the errors. Effect: Failure to verify and document compliance with health and safety standards could allow ineligible providers to perform services under the Medicaid program. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review its procedures and controls to ensure that documentation is maintained in accordance with program requirements and that all providers are compliant with required health and safety standards. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-038 Prior Year Finding: 2021-026 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services Federal Program: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.775, 93.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Reporting ? Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Type of Finding Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Non-compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), prime (direct) recipients of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Reports must be filed in FSRS 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. If the initial award is below $30,000 but subsequent grant modifications result in a total award equal to or over $30,000, the award will be subject to the reporting requirements as of the date the award exceeds $30,000. If the initial award equals or exceeds $30,000 but funding is subsequently de-obligated such that the total award amount falls below $30,000, the award continues to be subject to FFATA reporting requirements. The following key data elements must be reported: Subawardee Name and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; Amount of Subaward (inclusive of modifications); Subaward Obligation/Action Date; Date of Report Submission; Subaward Number; Project Description; and Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers. (Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers must only be reported when the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal awards; and $30,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal awards; and the public does not have access to this information about the compensation of the senior executives of the entity through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. ?? 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.) Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. The following errors were noted: ? Eighteen subawards and subaward amendments were not reported to FSRS. ? Three subawards and subaward amendments were not reported timely. ? One subaward was reported under an incorrect DUNS number. Context: The Agency of Human Services (Agency) Internal Audit Group (IAG) reports subaward information in FSRS for its various departments using subaward information provided by the departments. Thirty-two subawards, totaling $10,711,156, were selected for testing and the following reporting errors were noted: ? Agency of Human Services Central Office (AHS-CO): Two subawards totaling $558,000 were not reported to FSRS. The subawards were issued on 10/1/2021 but were not reported to FSRS until after auditors selected them for testing. ? Department of Children and Families (DCF): One subaward of $32,284 was not reported timely. The subaward should have been reported no later than 1/31/2022 but it was reported on 2/17/2022, or 17 days late. ? Department of Mental Health (DMH): One subaward of $59,790 was not reported timely. The subaward should have been reported no later than 6/30/2022 but it was reported on 7/19/2022, or 19 days late. Three subaward amendments, totaling $31,475 were not reported to FSRS. ? Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL): One subaward of $42,369 was not reported timely. In addition, an amendment for the subaward was not reported. The amount not reported to FSRS was $8,400. ? Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA): Two subawards totaling $130,231 were not reported to FSRS. One subaward of $38,364 was reported under an incorrect DUNS number. ? Vermont Department of Health (VDH): Eleven subawards totaling $7,416,814 were not reported to FSRS. SEE SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR CHART/TABLE Cause: The individual departments did not provide the IAG with complete subaward information on a timely basis which caused errors and omissions in subaward reporting to FSRS. Effect: Subawards were not reported to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Questioned costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required subawards and subaward modifications are reported accurately to FSRS in accordance with FFATA requirements. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-039 Prior Year Finding: 2021-024 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Agency: Agency of Human Services (Agency) Federal Program: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 93.775, 96.777, 93.778 Award Number and Year: 2105VT5MAP (10/1/2020 ? 9/30/2021) 2205VT5MAP (10/1/2021 ? 9/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions ? Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: For all contracts, the state must ensure that each Managed Care Organization (MCO), Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP), and Prepaid Ambulatory Health Plan (PAHP) submits a report with the data elements specified in 42 CFR sections 438.8(k) and 438.8(n). The report should contain the required 13 data elements in the regulation, reflect the correct reporting years, and contain an attestation of accuracy regarding the calculation of the medical loss ratio. Managed care plans are required to submit the annual report in the time and manner established by the state, which must be within 12 months after the end of the MLR reporting year. The state should have a policy and procedure to indicate when the report(s) are due from plans and should not accept multiple submissions from plans unless the capitation payments are revised retroactively. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), the non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: The 2020 Medical Loss Ratio report for the State?s Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) was not submitted within twelve months after the end of the reporting year. Context: The Agency of Human Services, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) acts as its own PIHP. DVHA was required to submit the PIHP?s Medical Loss Ratio report for the year ending 12/31/2020 no later than 12/31/2021 but the report was not submitted until 2/2/2022. Cause: The Agency did not adequately follow procedures regarding timely submission of the Medical Loss Ratio report for its PIHP. Effect: The Agency is out of compliance with MLR reporting requirements. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency review and enhance its procedures and controls regarding Medical Loss Ratio reporting to ensure that reports for its PIHP are submitted timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Reference Number: 2022-018 Prior Year Finding: 2021-013 Federal Agency: Department of the Treasury State Agency: Department of Finance and Management (Finance) Federal Program: COVID-19 ? Coronavirus Relief Fund COVID-19 ? Emergency Rental Assistance COVID-19 ? Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.019, 21.023, 21.027 Award Number and Year: SLT0049 (2020), SLT0083 (2020) ERA0029 (2021), ERAE0054 (2021), ERAE1023 (2021) SLFRP4407 (2021), SLFRP4563 (2021), SLFRP4453 (2021-2022) Compliance Requirement: Reporting: Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Type of Finding Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per 2 CFR 200 Section 510(b), the auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee?s financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with Section 200.502. The schedule must list individual Federal programs by Federal agency and provide total Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program and the Assistance Listings Number or other identifying number when the Assistance Listings information is not available. The schedule must also include the total amount provided to subrecipients from each Federal program. Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should comply with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition: Errors were detected in the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) submitted to auditors, including errors in both total expenditures and the amount provided to subrecipients. Context: The following SEFA reporting errors were noted during audit test work: 1. The amount provided to subrecipients under assistance listing 21.023 ? Emergency Rental Assistance was understated by $118.8 million, or 99%. The amount originally reported was $1.3 million but during audit test work it was determined that this amount should have been $120.1 million. 2. The amount provided to subrecipients under assistance listing 21.027 ? Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds was understated by $77.3 million, or 89%. The amount originally reported was $9.7 million but during audit test work it was determined that this amount should have been $87 million. 3. Total expenditures reported under assistance listing 21.027 ? Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds were overstated by $6.2 million, or 6%. The amount originally reported was $107.8 million but during audit test work it was determined that this amount should have been $101.6 million. The original reported amount included duplicate expenditures of approximately $6 million. 4. The amount provided to subrecipients under assistance listing 21.019 ? Coronavirus Relief Fund could not be verified. During the prior year?s audit, significant reporting errors were noted in the amount provided to subrecipients. During the current year?s audit, Finance indicated that it had not yet fully implemented the FY 2021 corrective action plan for this issue and, as a result, it was unable to verify the accuracy of the amount reported as provided to subrecipients during FY 2022. Questioned costs: Undetermined. Cause: Individual State agencies/departments prepare their own sections of the SEFA and submit them to Finance which compiles the State?s consolidated report. Procedures and internal controls were not sufficient to ensure that expenditures reported by Finance on the SEFA were accurate and were supported by detail expenditure transactions recorded in the State?s accounting system. On the initial SEFA submitted to auditors, approximately $6 million had been duplicated in total expenditures under 21.027 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Payments to subrecipients under Emergency Rental Assistance and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds were improperly coded in the State?s accounting system which caused them to be excluded when the SEFA was initially prepared. Further, the prior year?s corrective action plan had not been fully implemented to allow Finance to verify the accuracy of the amount reported as provided to subrecipients under the Coronavirus Relief Fund during FY 2022. Effect: The amount provided to subrecipients was incorrectly reported on the SEFA submitted to auditors which effected testing of subrecipient monitoring for the programs. Recommendation: We recommend that Finance improve its SEFA compilation process to ensure that program expenditures and the amounts provided to subrecipients reported on the State?s SEFA are complete and accurate. We further recommend that Finance work with the State?s agencies and departments to review and enhance procedures and controls to ensure that subrecipient payments are accurately recorded in the State?s accounting system and that expenditure information submitted to Finance for inclusion on the State?s SEFA is accurate and ties to detail expenditure transactions in the State?s accounting system. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.
Finding 2022 002: Inaccurate Property Management Records Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) U.S. Director of National Intelligence (USDNI) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI) U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Smithsonian Institution U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Corporation for National and Community Service All Pass-Through Entities Program Name: Research and Development Cluster ALN # and Program Expenditures: Various ($482,298,931) Federal Award Numbers: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various ? See schedule of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: Equipment Condition Found: The University did not consistently follow its property management policies and procedures related to equipment purchased with federal funding from the Research and Development (R&D) Cluster program. The University conducts research at multiple locations throughout their campus, where equipment purchased with federal funds is utilized and maintained. The University identifies all equipment in its property management records with individually assigned asset numbers and each individual asset record includes the specific location of the asset, the federal award general ledger account number that funded the purchase of the asset, and other required information. An asset tag with the assigned asset number is affixed to each asset in accordance with University policy. During our physical observation of 60 pieces of equipment purchased with R&D Cluster funds (with a total cost value of $1,542,384), we noted the following: - Nine items (with a total cost value of $200,035) did not have property management tags affixed at the time of our observation. - Eight items (with a total cost value of $103,583) had property management tags with asset numbers that were inconsistent with the equipment listing. Upon further review, we noted the property management records contained a temporary asset tag number that had not been updated for the permanent tag subsequently affixed by department personnel. Further, we noted adequate management review controls had not been established to ensure property management records were accurately updated and equipment was properly tagged. The net book value of equipment related to the R&D Cluster program totaled $217,101,257 at June 30, 2022. Criteria: According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1), property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. 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 non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that accurate property records are maintained and equipment items are properly tagged. Cause: In discussing these conditions with University officials, they stated the University?s procedures for tagging equipment were delayed because the University?s personnel operated in a remote environment during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Additionally, physical inventory procedures, which are designed detect differences between perpetual and actual information, were waived during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to maintain accurate property records may prohibit the University from properly safeguarding and maintaining equipment and may result in federal programs not receiving the appropriate share of proceeds from the disposals of equipment purchased with federal funds. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend the University review its procedures for updating property records to ensure they accurately reflect equipment information. We also recommend the University properly tag equipment in accordance with its policy. Views of University Officials: The University agrees with the finding. All departments of the University will be reminded that tagging is an integral part of the internal control process for capital assets and training will be made available before June 30, 2023.