Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Special Education Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.027 and 84.173 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H027A220035 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 231072 Award Period: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for two out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year. Prior year finding number was 2023-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: S45U210005 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211935 Award Period: 3/24/2021 - 9/30/2023 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: The Davis-Bacon Act requires that laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works must be paid wages not less than those established by the Secretary of Labor. Adequate monitoring of compliance with these wage requirements is required to ensure that workers are being paid correctly as per 29 CFR 5.5 compliance provisions. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were in compliance with applicable Davis-Bacon Wage Rate requirements. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs related to this finding. Context: The School Board did not retain documentation supporting indication of their review of certified payroll records in accordance with monitoring compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act requirements for contracts funded by the Education Stabilization Fund. Additionally, for one out of twenty-two payroll periods tested, the School Board was not able to provide payroll documentation certified by the vendor. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over monitoring Davis-Bacon Act compliance were not sufficiently designed or implemented to ensure that wage determinations were verified and that contractors and subcontractors were monitored for compliance. Effect: Failure to monitor Davis-Bacon wage requirements may result in noncompliance with federal labor standards and could potentially lead to financial penalties, reputational damage, and a loss of future federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board enhance its policies and procedures to ensure the effective monitoring of compliance with Davis-Bacon wage requirements. Procedures should include regular verification of wage determinations, monitoring of contractor and subcontractor payrolls, and documentation of compliance efforts. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding and agrees with the recommendation and will implement corrective action.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: S45U210005 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211935 Award Period: 3/24/2021 - 9/30/2023 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: The Davis-Bacon Act requires that laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works must be paid wages not less than those established by the Secretary of Labor. Adequate monitoring of compliance with these wage requirements is required to ensure that workers are being paid correctly as per 29 CFR 5.5 compliance provisions. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were in compliance with applicable Davis-Bacon Wage Rate requirements. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs related to this finding. Context: The School Board did not retain documentation supporting indication of their review of certified payroll records in accordance with monitoring compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act requirements for contracts funded by the Education Stabilization Fund. Additionally, for one out of twenty-two payroll periods tested, the School Board was not able to provide payroll documentation certified by the vendor. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over monitoring Davis-Bacon Act compliance were not sufficiently designed or implemented to ensure that wage determinations were verified and that contractors and subcontractors were monitored for compliance. Effect: Failure to monitor Davis-Bacon wage requirements may result in noncompliance with federal labor standards and could potentially lead to financial penalties, reputational damage, and a loss of future federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board enhance its policies and procedures to ensure the effective monitoring of compliance with Davis-Bacon wage requirements. Procedures should include regular verification of wage determinations, monitoring of contractor and subcontractor payrolls, and documentation of compliance efforts. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding and agrees with the recommendation and will implement corrective action.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: S45U210005 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211935 Award Period: 3/24/2021 - 9/30/2023 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: The Davis-Bacon Act requires that laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works must be paid wages not less than those established by the Secretary of Labor. Adequate monitoring of compliance with these wage requirements is required to ensure that workers are being paid correctly as per 29 CFR 5.5 compliance provisions. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were in compliance with applicable Davis-Bacon Wage Rate requirements. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs related to this finding. Context: The School Board did not retain documentation supporting indication of their review of certified payroll records in accordance with monitoring compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act requirements for contracts funded by the Education Stabilization Fund. Additionally, for one out of twenty-two payroll periods tested, the School Board was not able to provide payroll documentation certified by the vendor. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over monitoring Davis-Bacon Act compliance were not sufficiently designed or implemented to ensure that wage determinations were verified and that contractors and subcontractors were monitored for compliance. Effect: Failure to monitor Davis-Bacon wage requirements may result in noncompliance with federal labor standards and could potentially lead to financial penalties, reputational damage, and a loss of future federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board enhance its policies and procedures to ensure the effective monitoring of compliance with Davis-Bacon wage requirements. Procedures should include regular verification of wage determinations, monitoring of contractor and subcontractor payrolls, and documentation of compliance efforts. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding and agrees with the recommendation and will implement corrective action.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: S45U210005 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211935 Award Period: 3/24/2021 - 9/30/2023 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: The Davis-Bacon Act requires that laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works must be paid wages not less than those established by the Secretary of Labor. Adequate monitoring of compliance with these wage requirements is required to ensure that workers are being paid correctly as per 29 CFR 5.5 compliance provisions. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were in compliance with applicable Davis-Bacon Wage Rate requirements. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs related to this finding. Context: The School Board did not retain documentation supporting indication of their review of certified payroll records in accordance with monitoring compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act requirements for contracts funded by the Education Stabilization Fund. Additionally, for one out of twenty-two payroll periods tested, the School Board was not able to provide payroll documentation certified by the vendor. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over monitoring Davis-Bacon Act compliance were not sufficiently designed or implemented to ensure that wage determinations were verified and that contractors and subcontractors were monitored for compliance. Effect: Failure to monitor Davis-Bacon wage requirements may result in noncompliance with federal labor standards and could potentially lead to financial penalties, reputational damage, and a loss of future federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board enhance its policies and procedures to ensure the effective monitoring of compliance with Davis-Bacon wage requirements. Procedures should include regular verification of wage determinations, monitoring of contractor and subcontractor payrolls, and documentation of compliance efforts. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding and agrees with the recommendation and will implement corrective action.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: S45U210005 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211935 Award Period: 3/24/2021 - 9/30/2023 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: The Davis-Bacon Act requires that laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works must be paid wages not less than those established by the Secretary of Labor. Adequate monitoring of compliance with these wage requirements is required to ensure that workers are being paid correctly as per 29 CFR 5.5 compliance provisions. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were in compliance with applicable Davis-Bacon Wage Rate requirements. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs related to this finding. Context: The School Board did not retain documentation supporting indication of their review of certified payroll records in accordance with monitoring compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act requirements for contracts funded by the Education Stabilization Fund. Additionally, for one out of twenty-two payroll periods tested, the School Board was not able to provide payroll documentation certified by the vendor. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over monitoring Davis-Bacon Act compliance were not sufficiently designed or implemented to ensure that wage determinations were verified and that contractors and subcontractors were monitored for compliance. Effect: Failure to monitor Davis-Bacon wage requirements may result in noncompliance with federal labor standards and could potentially lead to financial penalties, reputational damage, and a loss of future federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board enhance its policies and procedures to ensure the effective monitoring of compliance with Davis-Bacon wage requirements. Procedures should include regular verification of wage determinations, monitoring of contractor and subcontractor payrolls, and documentation of compliance efforts. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding and agrees with the recommendation and will implement corrective action.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: S45U210005 Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211935 Award Period: 3/24/2021 - 9/30/2023 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: The Davis-Bacon Act requires that laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works must be paid wages not less than those established by the Secretary of Labor. Adequate monitoring of compliance with these wage requirements is required to ensure that workers are being paid correctly as per 29 CFR 5.5 compliance provisions. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were in compliance with applicable Davis-Bacon Wage Rate requirements. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs related to this finding. Context: The School Board did not retain documentation supporting indication of their review of certified payroll records in accordance with monitoring compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act requirements for contracts funded by the Education Stabilization Fund. Additionally, for one out of twenty-two payroll periods tested, the School Board was not able to provide payroll documentation certified by the vendor. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over monitoring Davis-Bacon Act compliance were not sufficiently designed or implemented to ensure that wage determinations were verified and that contractors and subcontractors were monitored for compliance. Effect: Failure to monitor Davis-Bacon wage requirements may result in noncompliance with federal labor standards and could potentially lead to financial penalties, reputational damage, and a loss of future federal funding. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board enhance its policies and procedures to ensure the effective monitoring of compliance with Davis-Bacon wage requirements. Procedures should include regular verification of wage determinations, monitoring of contractor and subcontractor payrolls, and documentation of compliance efforts. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding and agrees with the recommendation and will implement corrective action.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21 .027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Not Available Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211851 Award Period: 3/3/2021 - 12/31/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for one out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21 .027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Not Available Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211851 Award Period: 3/3/2021 - 12/31/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for one out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21 .027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Not Available Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211851 Award Period: 3/3/2021 - 12/31/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for one out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21 .027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Not Available Pass-Through Agency: Maryland State Department of Education Pass-Through Number: 211851 Award Period: 3/3/2021 - 12/31/2024 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Compliance: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. "Covered transactions" include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. 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 the 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: During our testing, we noted the School Board did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None noted. Context: The School Board could not provide documentation for one out of four vendors regarding ensuring the vendor was not suspended or debarred at the time of contract. Cause: The Board's procedures and internal controls over suspension and debarment were not sufficient to ensure that all vendors' suspension and debarment status was verified timely. Effect: Failure to verify the suspension and debarment status of vendors may result in the procurement of goods or services from vendors that are suspended or debarred and result in unallowable expenditures charged to the program. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Board review its policies and procedures to ensure they include the three options for determining suspension and debarment status listed in 2 CFR 180.300 and that controls are sufficient to ensure that the suspension and debarment status is verified for all vendors prior to entering into covered transactions. Views of responsible officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Current procedures mandate suspension and debarment verification prior to entering into contracts or agreements with vendors. However, due to the timing of the policy implementation, there were vendor contracts executed and payments processed after the prior year's finding but before corrective action could be implemented.
FINDING 2024-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 7000S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation did not have an effective internal control system in place to ensure that costs charged to the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant award were allowable and in conformance with compliance with requirements related to the Activities Allowable or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15 WHITLEY COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Although the School Corporation designed and implemented a process throughout the audit period, costs charged to the Explore Engage Experience (3E CIESC) grant only had one employee review. The reimbursement form was completed by one employee with no evidence of the approval/review from another employee. Without the review/approval of another employee it could lead to improper activities allowed and/or allowable cost reimbursed. This was the only grant within the ESF grant award that did not have this internal control completed properly. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. One employee prepared the reimbursement request without any evidence of an approval or review from another employee. Effect The lack of an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. A review or approval of the reimbursements request will ensure that grant funds are used for allowable expenditures. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management strengthen its system of internal controls to ensure all reimbursement requests are prepared by one employee and reviewed and approved by another employee. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425U Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 7000S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Finding: Material Weakness Condition and Context The School Corporation did not have an effective internal control system in place to ensure that costs charged to the COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) grant award were allowable and in conformance with compliance with requirements related to the Activities Allowable or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 15 WHITLEY COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Although the School Corporation designed and implemented a process throughout the audit period, costs charged to the Explore Engage Experience (3E CIESC) grant only had one employee review. The reimbursement form was completed by one employee with no evidence of the approval/review from another employee. Without the review/approval of another employee it could lead to improper activities allowed and/or allowable cost reimbursed. This was the only grant within the ESF grant award that did not have this internal control completed properly. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." Cause The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. One employee prepared the reimbursement request without any evidence of an approval or review from another employee. Effect The lack of an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Activities Allowed or Unallowed and the Allowable Costs/Cost Principles compliance requirements. A review or approval of the reimbursements request will ensure that grant funds are used for allowable expenditures. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management strengthen its system of internal controls to ensure all reimbursement requests are prepared by one employee and reviewed and approved by another employee. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY22-23, FY23-24 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. A population of five covered transactions for nonfood purchases that equaled or exceeded $25,000 paid from the School Lunch fund was identified. All five transactions totaling $268,614 were tested; however, the School Corporation did not verify the suspension and debarment status prior to entering into the covered transactions. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to nonfood purchases. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17 WHITLEY COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The School Corporation's process was to check for SAM exclusions and attach the search results to the accounts payable voucher. However, the SAM exclusion check process was not properly implemented for the nonfood vendors tested nor was a certification collected or a clause or condition added to the covered transaction. Effect The lack of an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to occur and remain undetected. Noncompliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could lead to contracting with vendors who are suspended or debarred from receiving federal grant funding. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management strengthen its system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures ensure vendors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY22-23, FY23-24 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. A population of five covered transactions for nonfood purchases that equaled or exceeded $25,000 paid from the School Lunch fund was identified. All five transactions totaling $268,614 were tested; however, the School Corporation did not verify the suspension and debarment status prior to entering into the covered transactions. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to nonfood purchases. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17 WHITLEY COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The School Corporation's process was to check for SAM exclusions and attach the search results to the accounts payable voucher. However, the SAM exclusion check process was not properly implemented for the nonfood vendors tested nor was a certification collected or a clause or condition added to the covered transaction. Effect The lack of an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to occur and remain undetected. Noncompliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could lead to contracting with vendors who are suspended or debarred from receiving federal grant funding. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management strengthen its system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures ensure vendors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY22-23, FY23-24 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. A population of five covered transactions for nonfood purchases that equaled or exceeded $25,000 paid from the School Lunch fund was identified. All five transactions totaling $268,614 were tested; however, the School Corporation did not verify the suspension and debarment status prior to entering into the covered transactions. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to nonfood purchases. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17 WHITLEY COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The School Corporation's process was to check for SAM exclusions and attach the search results to the accounts payable voucher. However, the SAM exclusion check process was not properly implemented for the nonfood vendors tested nor was a certification collected or a clause or condition added to the covered transaction. Effect The lack of an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to occur and remain undetected. Noncompliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could lead to contracting with vendors who are suspended or debarred from receiving federal grant funding. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management strengthen its system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures ensure vendors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY22-23, FY23-24 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. A population of five covered transactions for nonfood purchases that equaled or exceeded $25,000 paid from the School Lunch fund was identified. All five transactions totaling $268,614 were tested; however, the School Corporation did not verify the suspension and debarment status prior to entering into the covered transactions. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to nonfood purchases. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17 WHITLEY COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The School Corporation's process was to check for SAM exclusions and attach the search results to the accounts payable voucher. However, the SAM exclusion check process was not properly implemented for the nonfood vendors tested nor was a certification collected or a clause or condition added to the covered transaction. Effect The lack of an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to occur and remain undetected. Noncompliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could lead to contracting with vendors who are suspended or debarred from receiving federal grant funding. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management strengthen its system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures ensure vendors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY22-23, FY23-24 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to, contracts for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. A population of five covered transactions for nonfood purchases that equaled or exceeded $25,000 paid from the School Lunch fund was identified. All five transactions totaling $268,614 were tested; however, the School Corporation did not verify the suspension and debarment status prior to entering into the covered transactions. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were isolated to nonfood purchases. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 17 WHITLEY COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The School Corporation's process was to check for SAM exclusions and attach the search results to the accounts payable voucher. However, the SAM exclusion check process was not properly implemented for the nonfood vendors tested nor was a certification collected or a clause or condition added to the covered transaction. Effect The lack of an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to occur and remain undetected. Noncompliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement could lead to contracting with vendors who are suspended or debarred from receiving federal grant funding. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management strengthen its system of internal controls and develop policies and procedures ensure vendors are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded prior to entering into any covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-002 Subject: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies - Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies Assistance Listings Number: 84.010 Federal Award Number or Year (or Other Identifying Number): S010A210014 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context Direct charges to a federal award are to be for allowable activities and allowable costs made in conformance with the applicable cost principles. The School Corporation did not have a process or internal controls in place to ensure expenditures for the 2021 Title I grant award were for allowable activities and costs and in conformance with the cost principles. The School Corporation was unable to provide supporting documentation for $43,141 worth of expenditures transferred out of the 2021 grant award fund 4121 from July 1, 2022 to December 1, 2022. These expenditures were originally expended from the Title I 2021 grant award fund 4121, requested for reimbursement and then the expenditures were moved to other funds. Because these expenditures were reappropriated, they were not an allowable activity or cost of the 2021 Title I grant award. In addition, the School Corporation was unable to provide supporting documentation for $6,646 worth of certified salary expenditures requested for reimbursement for the same grant award from February 17, 2022 to June 30, 2022. It was determined that this amount was double requested for reimbursement and were not an actual expenditure. The total amount of $49,787 was considered questioned costs. Subsequent to the 2021 Title I grant award, the School Corporation established and implemented a process and internal controls to ensure expenditures for the 2022 and 2023 awards from July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023, were for allowable activities and costs and in conformance with the cost principles. The vendor expenditures are initiated by the Title I Director and the Title I Administrative Assistant. Payroll is reviewed each pay period by the Title I Administrative Assistant. The Business Manager/Treasurer prepares the reimbursement request using a detailed expenditure report from their accounting system. The Title I Administrative Assistant verifies the information entered into the reimbursement request by also comparing it to the detailed expenditure reports. The Title I Administrative Assistant also reconciles the Title I award to the expenditures. If the Title I Administrative Assistant identifies that a correction of errors needs to be made to a Title I fund, they fill out a Corrections Form. The Title I Director then reviews and signs the form and provides it to the Business Manager/Treasurer to make the correction in the accounting system prior to completing a request for reimbursement. After the corrections have been made, the Title I Administrative Assistant verifies the changes were correctly made. After all corrections are made, the reimbursement request is approved by the Title I Director and then submitted by the Business Manager/Treasurer. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) We tested 25 other nonjournal entry expenditures from all three Title I grant awards during the audit period and did not identify any additional noncompliance with these expenditures. The lack of internal controls and supporting documentation was isolated to the 2021 Title I grant award number S010A21001 from February 17, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.403 states in part: "Except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following general criteria in order to be allowable under Federal awards: (a) Be necessary and reasonable for the performance of the Federal award and be allocable thereto under these principles. (b) Conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in these principles or in the Federal award as to types or amount of cost items. . . . (g) Be adequately documented. . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The recipient's and subrecipient's financial management system must provide for the following: . . . (7) Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E of this part and the terms and conditions of the Federal award." 2 CFR 200.334 states in part: "Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for the Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annual, from the date of submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Cause A proper system of internal controls was not designed by management of the School Corporation. The School Corporation segregated duties of knowledgeable staff that were involved in the process of purchasing, entering claim information, processing claim and payroll information and using reliable financial data from the accounting system. However, they had not established a process or internal controls, for the 2021 Title I award number S010A21001, to ensure that all accounting corrections were made prior to processing a request for reimbursement. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation could not ensure that only expenditures for allowable activities and costs were made and requested for reimbursement. Any program funds the School Corporation reallocated to other funds or double requested for reimbursement would be unallowable, and the awarding agency could potentially recover them. Questioned Costs Questioned costs in the amount of $49,787 were identified as noted in the Condition and Context. Recommendation We recommended that Management of the School Corporation establish a proper system of internal controls and develop written policies and procedures to ensure that expenditures for all Title I grant awards are for allowable activities and costs, in conformance with the cost principles and support for all expenditures and journal entries is maintained for the date ranges of costs documented on the requests for reimbursement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027; 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-042-ARP, 22619-042-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, the Cooperative operated the special education program and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the procurement and the suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for the simplified acquisition threshold and for small purchases were met for each applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering into a covered transaction. Procurement When the value of the procurement for property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), or a lower threshold established by a nonfederal entity, formal procurement methods are required. The SAT is typically set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold. Therefore, the SAT threshold is set at $150,000. Formal procurement methods require adherence to documented procedures and formal methods such as sealed bids or proposals. When the purchase value exceeds the micro-purchase threshold but is less than the simplified acquisition threshold, a small purchase occurs. Small purchases require documented full and open competition or a documented rationale for limited competition. For 2022-2023, the Cooperative had one vendor, with disbursements, totaling $379,313, which exceeded the SAT threshold of $150,000. The Cooperative did not obtain sealed bids or competitive proposals nor was there documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. For 2022-2023, the Cooperative had one vendor with disbursements in the amount of $55,374, which were less than the SAT threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $50,000 micropurchase threshold and was selected for testing. The Cooperative did not obtain price or rate quotes nor was there documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. For 2023-2024, three vendors with disbursements, totaling $175,125, were identified as being less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeding the $50,000 micropurchase threshold and were selected for testing. The Cooperative did not obtain price or rate quotes for two of the three vendors and there was no documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts, for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that vendor. Upon inquiry of the Cooperative in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the Cooperative disclosed there were not any documented controls or procedures. Nine covered transactions were identified. The covered transactions, totaling $803,836, were selected for testing. The Cooperative did not verify the suspension and debarment status of the tested vendors prior to payment. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases– (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . . (b) Formal Procurement Methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal financial assistance award exceeds the SAT, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are required. Formal procurement methods require following documented procedures. Formal procurement methods also require public advertising unless a non-competitive procurement can be used in accordance with § 200.319 or paragraph (c) of this section. The following formal methods of procurement are used for procurement of property or services above the simplified acquisition threshold or a value below the simplified acquisition threshold the non-Federal entity determines to be appropriate: . . . (1) Sealed bids. A procurement method in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms and conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. The sealed bids method is the preferred method for procuring construction, if the conditions. . . . INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (2) Proposals. A procurement method in which either a fixed price or cost-reimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM.gov Exclusions, or (b) Collecting a certification from that person, or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The Cooperative noted that the ARP portion of the Special Education grant was new for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The ARP funding gave opportunity for types of expenditures that do not typically get expensed using special education funding. The transactions noted within the Condition and Context were from the ARP portion of the grant, which provided property or services that exceeded the micro-purchase threshold. Management of the Cooperative was unaware of the procurement requirements when property or services exceed the micro-purchase threshold. In addition, management of the Cooperative was unaware of the suspension and debarment requirements when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Without following the required methods for procurement, the Cooperative could be overpaying for services. Unverified vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 could be suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the reduction of future federal funding to the Cooperative. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the Cooperative's management design and implement a system of internal controls related to procurement and suspension and debarment procedures to ensure procurement requirements are met and to ensure entities are neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified prior to entering into any covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027; 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-042-ARP, 22619-042-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, the Cooperative operated the special education program and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the procurement and the suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for the simplified acquisition threshold and for small purchases were met for each applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering into a covered transaction. Procurement When the value of the procurement for property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), or a lower threshold established by a nonfederal entity, formal procurement methods are required. The SAT is typically set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold. Therefore, the SAT threshold is set at $150,000. Formal procurement methods require adherence to documented procedures and formal methods such as sealed bids or proposals. When the purchase value exceeds the micro-purchase threshold but is less than the simplified acquisition threshold, a small purchase occurs. Small purchases require documented full and open competition or a documented rationale for limited competition. For 2022-2023, the Cooperative had one vendor, with disbursements, totaling $379,313, which exceeded the SAT threshold of $150,000. The Cooperative did not obtain sealed bids or competitive proposals nor was there documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. For 2022-2023, the Cooperative had one vendor with disbursements in the amount of $55,374, which were less than the SAT threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $50,000 micropurchase threshold and was selected for testing. The Cooperative did not obtain price or rate quotes nor was there documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. For 2023-2024, three vendors with disbursements, totaling $175,125, were identified as being less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeding the $50,000 micropurchase threshold and were selected for testing. The Cooperative did not obtain price or rate quotes for two of the three vendors and there was no documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts, for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that vendor. Upon inquiry of the Cooperative in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the Cooperative disclosed there were not any documented controls or procedures. Nine covered transactions were identified. The covered transactions, totaling $803,836, were selected for testing. The Cooperative did not verify the suspension and debarment status of the tested vendors prior to payment. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases– (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . . (b) Formal Procurement Methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal financial assistance award exceeds the SAT, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are required. Formal procurement methods require following documented procedures. Formal procurement methods also require public advertising unless a non-competitive procurement can be used in accordance with § 200.319 or paragraph (c) of this section. The following formal methods of procurement are used for procurement of property or services above the simplified acquisition threshold or a value below the simplified acquisition threshold the non-Federal entity determines to be appropriate: . . . (1) Sealed bids. A procurement method in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms and conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. The sealed bids method is the preferred method for procuring construction, if the conditions. . . . INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (2) Proposals. A procurement method in which either a fixed price or cost-reimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM.gov Exclusions, or (b) Collecting a certification from that person, or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The Cooperative noted that the ARP portion of the Special Education grant was new for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The ARP funding gave opportunity for types of expenditures that do not typically get expensed using special education funding. The transactions noted within the Condition and Context were from the ARP portion of the grant, which provided property or services that exceeded the micro-purchase threshold. Management of the Cooperative was unaware of the procurement requirements when property or services exceed the micro-purchase threshold. In addition, management of the Cooperative was unaware of the suspension and debarment requirements when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Without following the required methods for procurement, the Cooperative could be overpaying for services. Unverified vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 could be suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the reduction of future federal funding to the Cooperative. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the Cooperative's management design and implement a system of internal controls related to procurement and suspension and debarment procedures to ensure procurement requirements are met and to ensure entities are neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified prior to entering into any covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027; 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-042-ARP, 22619-042-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, the Cooperative operated the special education program and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the procurement and the suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for the simplified acquisition threshold and for small purchases were met for each applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering into a covered transaction. Procurement When the value of the procurement for property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), or a lower threshold established by a nonfederal entity, formal procurement methods are required. The SAT is typically set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold. Therefore, the SAT threshold is set at $150,000. Formal procurement methods require adherence to documented procedures and formal methods such as sealed bids or proposals. When the purchase value exceeds the micro-purchase threshold but is less than the simplified acquisition threshold, a small purchase occurs. Small purchases require documented full and open competition or a documented rationale for limited competition. For 2022-2023, the Cooperative had one vendor, with disbursements, totaling $379,313, which exceeded the SAT threshold of $150,000. The Cooperative did not obtain sealed bids or competitive proposals nor was there documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. For 2022-2023, the Cooperative had one vendor with disbursements in the amount of $55,374, which were less than the SAT threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $50,000 micropurchase threshold and was selected for testing. The Cooperative did not obtain price or rate quotes nor was there documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. For 2023-2024, three vendors with disbursements, totaling $175,125, were identified as being less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeding the $50,000 micropurchase threshold and were selected for testing. The Cooperative did not obtain price or rate quotes for two of the three vendors and there was no documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts, for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that vendor. Upon inquiry of the Cooperative in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the Cooperative disclosed there were not any documented controls or procedures. Nine covered transactions were identified. The covered transactions, totaling $803,836, were selected for testing. The Cooperative did not verify the suspension and debarment status of the tested vendors prior to payment. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases– (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . . (b) Formal Procurement Methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal financial assistance award exceeds the SAT, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are required. Formal procurement methods require following documented procedures. Formal procurement methods also require public advertising unless a non-competitive procurement can be used in accordance with § 200.319 or paragraph (c) of this section. The following formal methods of procurement are used for procurement of property or services above the simplified acquisition threshold or a value below the simplified acquisition threshold the non-Federal entity determines to be appropriate: . . . (1) Sealed bids. A procurement method in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms and conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. The sealed bids method is the preferred method for procuring construction, if the conditions. . . . INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (2) Proposals. A procurement method in which either a fixed price or cost-reimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM.gov Exclusions, or (b) Collecting a certification from that person, or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The Cooperative noted that the ARP portion of the Special Education grant was new for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The ARP funding gave opportunity for types of expenditures that do not typically get expensed using special education funding. The transactions noted within the Condition and Context were from the ARP portion of the grant, which provided property or services that exceeded the micro-purchase threshold. Management of the Cooperative was unaware of the procurement requirements when property or services exceed the micro-purchase threshold. In addition, management of the Cooperative was unaware of the suspension and debarment requirements when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Without following the required methods for procurement, the Cooperative could be overpaying for services. Unverified vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 could be suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the reduction of future federal funding to the Cooperative. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the Cooperative's management design and implement a system of internal controls related to procurement and suspension and debarment procedures to ensure procurement requirements are met and to ensure entities are neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified prior to entering into any covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Special Education Cluster (IDEA) - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Programs: COVID-19 - Special Education Grants to States, COVID-19 - Special Education Preschool Grants Assistance Listings Numbers: 84.027; 84.173 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): 22611-042-ARP, 22619-042-ARP Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The School Corporation is a member of the Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative (Cooperative). During fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, the Cooperative operated the special education program and spent the federal money on behalf of all its members. As the grant agreement was between the Indiana Department of Education and each member school, the School Corporation was responsible for ensuring and providing oversight of the Cooperative. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) The School Corporation did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the Cooperative complied with the procurement and the suspension and debarment requirements. The Cooperative did not have adequate procedures in place to ensure that the requirements for the simplified acquisition threshold and for small purchases were met for each applicable procured good or service or to ensure that vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering into a covered transaction. Procurement When the value of the procurement for property or services exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), or a lower threshold established by a nonfederal entity, formal procurement methods are required. The SAT is typically set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold. Therefore, the SAT threshold is set at $150,000. Formal procurement methods require adherence to documented procedures and formal methods such as sealed bids or proposals. When the purchase value exceeds the micro-purchase threshold but is less than the simplified acquisition threshold, a small purchase occurs. Small purchases require documented full and open competition or a documented rationale for limited competition. For 2022-2023, the Cooperative had one vendor, with disbursements, totaling $379,313, which exceeded the SAT threshold of $150,000. The Cooperative did not obtain sealed bids or competitive proposals nor was there documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. For 2022-2023, the Cooperative had one vendor with disbursements in the amount of $55,374, which were less than the SAT threshold of $150,000, but exceeded the $50,000 micropurchase threshold and was selected for testing. The Cooperative did not obtain price or rate quotes nor was there documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. For 2023-2024, three vendors with disbursements, totaling $175,125, were identified as being less than the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000, but exceeding the $50,000 micropurchase threshold and were selected for testing. The Cooperative did not obtain price or rate quotes for two of the three vendors and there was no documentation detailing the history of the procurement, which must include the reason for the procurement method used. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with federal award funds, recipients are required to verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. "Covered transactions" include, but are not limited to contracts, for goods and services awarded under a nonprocurement transaction (i.e., grant agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000. The verification is to be done by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from that vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that vendor. Upon inquiry of the Cooperative in order to review the procedures in place for verifying that a vendor with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded, the Cooperative disclosed there were not any documented controls or procedures. Nine covered transactions were identified. The covered transactions, totaling $803,836, were selected for testing. The Cooperative did not verify the suspension and debarment status of the tested vendors prior to payment. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic throughout the audit period. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (2) Small purchases– (i) Small purchase procedures. The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. . . . (b) Formal Procurement Methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal financial assistance award exceeds the SAT, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are required. Formal procurement methods require following documented procedures. Formal procurement methods also require public advertising unless a non-competitive procurement can be used in accordance with § 200.319 or paragraph (c) of this section. The following formal methods of procurement are used for procurement of property or services above the simplified acquisition threshold or a value below the simplified acquisition threshold the non-Federal entity determines to be appropriate: . . . (1) Sealed bids. A procurement method in which bids are publicly solicited and a firm fixed-price contract (lump sum or unit price) is awarded to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming with all the material terms and conditions of the invitation for bids, is the lowest in price. The sealed bids method is the preferred method for procuring construction, if the conditions. . . . INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 22 METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STEUBEN COUNTY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (2) Proposals. A procurement method in which either a fixed price or cost-reimbursement type contract is awarded. Proposals are generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM.gov Exclusions, or (b) Collecting a certification from that person, or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Cause The Cooperative noted that the ARP portion of the Special Education grant was new for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The ARP funding gave opportunity for types of expenditures that do not typically get expensed using special education funding. The transactions noted within the Condition and Context were from the ARP portion of the grant, which provided property or services that exceeded the micro-purchase threshold. Management of the Cooperative was unaware of the procurement requirements when property or services exceed the micro-purchase threshold. In addition, management of the Cooperative was unaware of the suspension and debarment requirements when a covered transaction is expected to equal or exceed $25,000. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, including policies and procedures that provide segregation of duties and additional oversight as needed, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, material noncompliance. Without following the required methods for procurement, the Cooperative could be overpaying for services. Unverified vendors to whom payments equal to or in excess of $25,000 could be suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. Noncompliance with the provisions of federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the federal award could result in the reduction of future federal funding to the Cooperative. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the Cooperative's management design and implement a system of internal controls related to procurement and suspension and debarment procedures to ensure procurement requirements are met and to ensure entities are neither suspended nor debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified prior to entering into any covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2023, FY 2024 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Nonfederal entities may establish a micro-purchase threshold higher than the federal threshold of $10,000 as established in the FAR in accordance with 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1)(iv) and (v). The School Corporation established a higher micropurchase threshold of $50,000. The School Corporation self-certified due to meeting the classification of a public institution and established a higher threshold consistent with state law (Indiana threshold of micropurchases is $50,000). Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Adequate internal controls were not in place over procurements made under the small purchase threshold for one of the two vendors tested during the audit period. The School Corporation made purchases with a vendor in fiscal year 2022-2023 totaling $97,773 and 2023-2024 totaling $59,070 but did not provide audit evidence that price quotations had been requested. Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide evidence that internal controls over suspension and debarment procedures were in place. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The noncompliance was isolated to procurement requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non- Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (1) . . . (iv) Non-Federal entity increase to the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. Non-Federal entities may establish a threshold higher than the micro-purchase threshold identified in the FAR in accordance with the requirements of this section. The non-Federal entity may self-certify a threshold up to $50,000 on an annual basis and must maintain documentation to be made available to the Federal awarding agency and auditors in accordance with § 200.334. The self-certification must include a justification, clear identification of the threshold, and supporting documentation of any of the following: (A) A qualification as a low-risk auditee, in accordance with the criteria in § 200.520 for the most recent audit; (B) An annual internal institutional risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks; or, INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (C) For public institutions, a higher threshold consistent with State law. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . . (d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ." Cause The School Corporation was not able to provide documentation to demonstrate that quotes were obtained for purchases under the small purchase method. The School Corporation was unable to provide documentation to demonstrate it checked SAM.gov to verify the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into the contract. The School Corporation did not have proper policies and procedures in place due to being unaware of the grant requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation cannot ensure the contractors paid with federal funds are eligible to participate in federal programs. Any funds the School Corporation used to pay contractors that have been suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the funding agency could potentially recover them. The School Corporation cannot ensure that contractors paid under the small purchase method were awarded the best price for their services. This could result in federal funding not providing as many services or projects as possible. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation strengthen its system of internal controls to ensure the proper procurement method is followed and documentation is retained. We recommended the School Corporation document its internal control procedures performed to ensure that all contractors that are paid $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into any contracts. We also recommended strengthening its policies and procedures to ensure appropriate evidence is retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2023, FY 2024 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Nonfederal entities may establish a micro-purchase threshold higher than the federal threshold of $10,000 as established in the FAR in accordance with 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1)(iv) and (v). The School Corporation established a higher micropurchase threshold of $50,000. The School Corporation self-certified due to meeting the classification of a public institution and established a higher threshold consistent with state law (Indiana threshold of micropurchases is $50,000). Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Adequate internal controls were not in place over procurements made under the small purchase threshold for one of the two vendors tested during the audit period. The School Corporation made purchases with a vendor in fiscal year 2022-2023 totaling $97,773 and 2023-2024 totaling $59,070 but did not provide audit evidence that price quotations had been requested. Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide evidence that internal controls over suspension and debarment procedures were in place. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The noncompliance was isolated to procurement requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non- Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (1) . . . (iv) Non-Federal entity increase to the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. Non-Federal entities may establish a threshold higher than the micro-purchase threshold identified in the FAR in accordance with the requirements of this section. The non-Federal entity may self-certify a threshold up to $50,000 on an annual basis and must maintain documentation to be made available to the Federal awarding agency and auditors in accordance with § 200.334. The self-certification must include a justification, clear identification of the threshold, and supporting documentation of any of the following: (A) A qualification as a low-risk auditee, in accordance with the criteria in § 200.520 for the most recent audit; (B) An annual internal institutional risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks; or, INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (C) For public institutions, a higher threshold consistent with State law. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . . (d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ." Cause The School Corporation was not able to provide documentation to demonstrate that quotes were obtained for purchases under the small purchase method. The School Corporation was unable to provide documentation to demonstrate it checked SAM.gov to verify the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into the contract. The School Corporation did not have proper policies and procedures in place due to being unaware of the grant requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation cannot ensure the contractors paid with federal funds are eligible to participate in federal programs. Any funds the School Corporation used to pay contractors that have been suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the funding agency could potentially recover them. The School Corporation cannot ensure that contractors paid under the small purchase method were awarded the best price for their services. This could result in federal funding not providing as many services or projects as possible. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation strengthen its system of internal controls to ensure the proper procurement method is followed and documentation is retained. We recommended the School Corporation document its internal control procedures performed to ensure that all contractors that are paid $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into any contracts. We also recommended strengthening its policies and procedures to ensure appropriate evidence is retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2023, FY 2024 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Nonfederal entities may establish a micro-purchase threshold higher than the federal threshold of $10,000 as established in the FAR in accordance with 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1)(iv) and (v). The School Corporation established a higher micropurchase threshold of $50,000. The School Corporation self-certified due to meeting the classification of a public institution and established a higher threshold consistent with state law (Indiana threshold of micropurchases is $50,000). Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Adequate internal controls were not in place over procurements made under the small purchase threshold for one of the two vendors tested during the audit period. The School Corporation made purchases with a vendor in fiscal year 2022-2023 totaling $97,773 and 2023-2024 totaling $59,070 but did not provide audit evidence that price quotations had been requested. Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide evidence that internal controls over suspension and debarment procedures were in place. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The noncompliance was isolated to procurement requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non- Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (1) . . . (iv) Non-Federal entity increase to the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. Non-Federal entities may establish a threshold higher than the micro-purchase threshold identified in the FAR in accordance with the requirements of this section. The non-Federal entity may self-certify a threshold up to $50,000 on an annual basis and must maintain documentation to be made available to the Federal awarding agency and auditors in accordance with § 200.334. The self-certification must include a justification, clear identification of the threshold, and supporting documentation of any of the following: (A) A qualification as a low-risk auditee, in accordance with the criteria in § 200.520 for the most recent audit; (B) An annual internal institutional risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks; or, INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (C) For public institutions, a higher threshold consistent with State law. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . . (d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ." Cause The School Corporation was not able to provide documentation to demonstrate that quotes were obtained for purchases under the small purchase method. The School Corporation was unable to provide documentation to demonstrate it checked SAM.gov to verify the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into the contract. The School Corporation did not have proper policies and procedures in place due to being unaware of the grant requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation cannot ensure the contractors paid with federal funds are eligible to participate in federal programs. Any funds the School Corporation used to pay contractors that have been suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the funding agency could potentially recover them. The School Corporation cannot ensure that contractors paid under the small purchase method were awarded the best price for their services. This could result in federal funding not providing as many services or projects as possible. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation strengthen its system of internal controls to ensure the proper procurement method is followed and documentation is retained. We recommended the School Corporation document its internal control procedures performed to ensure that all contractors that are paid $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into any contracts. We also recommended strengthening its policies and procedures to ensure appropriate evidence is retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2023, FY 2024 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Nonfederal entities may establish a micro-purchase threshold higher than the federal threshold of $10,000 as established in the FAR in accordance with 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1)(iv) and (v). The School Corporation established a higher micropurchase threshold of $50,000. The School Corporation self-certified due to meeting the classification of a public institution and established a higher threshold consistent with state law (Indiana threshold of micropurchases is $50,000). Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Adequate internal controls were not in place over procurements made under the small purchase threshold for one of the two vendors tested during the audit period. The School Corporation made purchases with a vendor in fiscal year 2022-2023 totaling $97,773 and 2023-2024 totaling $59,070 but did not provide audit evidence that price quotations had been requested. Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide evidence that internal controls over suspension and debarment procedures were in place. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The noncompliance was isolated to procurement requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non- Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (1) . . . (iv) Non-Federal entity increase to the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. Non-Federal entities may establish a threshold higher than the micro-purchase threshold identified in the FAR in accordance with the requirements of this section. The non-Federal entity may self-certify a threshold up to $50,000 on an annual basis and must maintain documentation to be made available to the Federal awarding agency and auditors in accordance with § 200.334. The self-certification must include a justification, clear identification of the threshold, and supporting documentation of any of the following: (A) A qualification as a low-risk auditee, in accordance with the criteria in § 200.520 for the most recent audit; (B) An annual internal institutional risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks; or, INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (C) For public institutions, a higher threshold consistent with State law. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . . (d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ." Cause The School Corporation was not able to provide documentation to demonstrate that quotes were obtained for purchases under the small purchase method. The School Corporation was unable to provide documentation to demonstrate it checked SAM.gov to verify the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into the contract. The School Corporation did not have proper policies and procedures in place due to being unaware of the grant requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation cannot ensure the contractors paid with federal funds are eligible to participate in federal programs. Any funds the School Corporation used to pay contractors that have been suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the funding agency could potentially recover them. The School Corporation cannot ensure that contractors paid under the small purchase method were awarded the best price for their services. This could result in federal funding not providing as many services or projects as possible. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation strengthen its system of internal controls to ensure the proper procurement method is followed and documentation is retained. We recommended the School Corporation document its internal control procedures performed to ensure that all contractors that are paid $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into any contracts. We also recommended strengthening its policies and procedures to ensure appropriate evidence is retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2023, FY 2024 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Nonfederal entities may establish a micro-purchase threshold higher than the federal threshold of $10,000 as established in the FAR in accordance with 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1)(iv) and (v). The School Corporation established a higher micropurchase threshold of $50,000. The School Corporation self-certified due to meeting the classification of a public institution and established a higher threshold consistent with state law (Indiana threshold of micropurchases is $50,000). Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Adequate internal controls were not in place over procurements made under the small purchase threshold for one of the two vendors tested during the audit period. The School Corporation made purchases with a vendor in fiscal year 2022-2023 totaling $97,773 and 2023-2024 totaling $59,070 but did not provide audit evidence that price quotations had been requested. Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide evidence that internal controls over suspension and debarment procedures were in place. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The noncompliance was isolated to procurement requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non- Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (1) . . . (iv) Non-Federal entity increase to the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. Non-Federal entities may establish a threshold higher than the micro-purchase threshold identified in the FAR in accordance with the requirements of this section. The non-Federal entity may self-certify a threshold up to $50,000 on an annual basis and must maintain documentation to be made available to the Federal awarding agency and auditors in accordance with § 200.334. The self-certification must include a justification, clear identification of the threshold, and supporting documentation of any of the following: (A) A qualification as a low-risk auditee, in accordance with the criteria in § 200.520 for the most recent audit; (B) An annual internal institutional risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks; or, INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (C) For public institutions, a higher threshold consistent with State law. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . . (d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ." Cause The School Corporation was not able to provide documentation to demonstrate that quotes were obtained for purchases under the small purchase method. The School Corporation was unable to provide documentation to demonstrate it checked SAM.gov to verify the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into the contract. The School Corporation did not have proper policies and procedures in place due to being unaware of the grant requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation cannot ensure the contractors paid with federal funds are eligible to participate in federal programs. Any funds the School Corporation used to pay contractors that have been suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the funding agency could potentially recover them. The School Corporation cannot ensure that contractors paid under the small purchase method were awarded the best price for their services. This could result in federal funding not providing as many services or projects as possible. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation strengthen its system of internal controls to ensure the proper procurement method is followed and documentation is retained. We recommended the School Corporation document its internal control procedures performed to ensure that all contractors that are paid $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into any contracts. We also recommended strengthening its policies and procedures to ensure appropriate evidence is retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
FINDING 2024-003 Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listings Numbers: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY 2023, FY 2024 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Repeat Finding This is a repeat finding from the immediately prior audit report. The prior audit finding number was 2022-003. Condition and Context An effective internal control system, which would include segregation of duties, was not in place at the School Corporation in order to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000. However, Indiana Code 5-22-8 has a more restrictive threshold of $150,000 or less for when small purchase procedures may be used. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds: micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micropurchase threshold but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Nonfederal entities may establish a micro-purchase threshold higher than the federal threshold of $10,000 as established in the FAR in accordance with 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1)(iv) and (v). The School Corporation established a higher micropurchase threshold of $50,000. The School Corporation self-certified due to meeting the classification of a public institution and established a higher threshold consistent with state law (Indiana threshold of micropurchases is $50,000). Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Adequate internal controls were not in place over procurements made under the small purchase threshold for one of the two vendors tested during the audit period. The School Corporation made purchases with a vendor in fiscal year 2022-2023 totaling $97,773 and 2023-2024 totaling $59,070 but did not provide audit evidence that price quotations had been requested. Additionally, the School Corporation was not able to provide evidence that internal controls over suspension and debarment procedures were in place. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The noncompliance was isolated to procurement requirements. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 18 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non- Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with the standards of this section and §§ 200.317, 200.318, and 200.319 for any of the following methods of procurement used for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. (a) Informal procurement methods. When the value of the procurement for property or services under a Federal award does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), as defined in § 200.1, or a lower threshold established by a non-Federal entity, formal procurement methods are not required. The non-Federal entity may use informal procurement methods to expedite the completion of its transactions and minimize the associated administrative burden and cost. The informal methods used for procurement of property or services at or below the SAT include: . . . (1) . . . (iv) Non-Federal entity increase to the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. Non-Federal entities may establish a threshold higher than the micro-purchase threshold identified in the FAR in accordance with the requirements of this section. The non-Federal entity may self-certify a threshold up to $50,000 on an annual basis and must maintain documentation to be made available to the Federal awarding agency and auditors in accordance with § 200.334. The self-certification must include a justification, clear identification of the threshold, and supporting documentation of any of the following: (A) A qualification as a low-risk auditee, in accordance with the criteria in § 200.520 for the most recent audit; (B) An annual internal institutional risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks; or, INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 19 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) (C) For public institutions, a higher threshold consistent with State law. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Indiana Code 5-22-8-3 states in part: "(a) This section applies only if the purchasing agent expects the purchase to be: (1) at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); and (2) not more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000). . . . (d) If the purchasing agent receives a satisfactory quote, the purchasing agent shall award a contract to the lowest responsible and responsive offeror for each line or class of supplies required. . . ." Cause The School Corporation was not able to provide documentation to demonstrate that quotes were obtained for purchases under the small purchase method. The School Corporation was unable to provide documentation to demonstrate it checked SAM.gov to verify the contractor was not suspended or debarred prior to entering into the contract. The School Corporation did not have proper policies and procedures in place due to being unaware of the grant requirements. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the School Corporation cannot ensure the contractors paid with federal funds are eligible to participate in federal programs. Any funds the School Corporation used to pay contractors that have been suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the funding agency could potentially recover them. The School Corporation cannot ensure that contractors paid under the small purchase method were awarded the best price for their services. This could result in federal funding not providing as many services or projects as possible. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 LIBERTY-PERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation strengthen its system of internal controls to ensure the proper procurement method is followed and documentation is retained. We recommended the School Corporation document its internal control procedures performed to ensure that all contractors that are paid $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before entering into any contracts. We also recommended strengthening its policies and procedures to ensure appropriate evidence is retained for audit. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.