Environmental Protection Agency, passed through State of North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality Federal Financial Assistance Listing #66.468 Capitalization Grants for Drinking Water Procurement, Suspension, and Debarment Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Criteria - Uniform Guidance and 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326 set forth the procurement standards non-federal entities other than states must follow when operating federal programs and the procurement procedures required. Condition - During the course of our engagement, it was identified that the District did not have a written policy on procurement that satisfied the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. Cause - Lack of oversight, awareness, or understanding of all of the specific requirements under the Uniform Guidance and applicable CFR sections, and controls were not adequately designed to ensure compliance with all of these requirements. Effect - A lack of documented policies increase the overall risk that employees are not aware of the specific requirements with of procurement, suspension, and debarment. Questioned Costs – None reported Context/Sampling - Overall procurement policy. Repeat Finding from Prior Year(s) – No Recommendation - We recommend that management establish a written policy that addresses all of the procurement requirements for federal programs as identified in 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326 and maintain adequate supporting documentation and records to document history and methods of procurement and the procedures performed to comply with these CFR sections. Views of Responsible Officials - There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Finding 2023-004: Procurement (Significant Deficiency) Information on the Federal Program: ALN 19.663 Global Telecommunications and Emerging Technology Training Criteria: 2 CFR 200.318 states that non-Federal entities must have and use documented procurement procedures consistent with the requirements for procurement regulations included in paragraphs 318 through 327. Condition: We noted procurement procedures are outsourced to a third party, but management is heavily involved in the ultimate decision. However, the procurement policy is not formalized and procurement actions are not documented and maintained in USTTI's vendor files. Cause: USTTI did not have a documented formal procurement policy in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Effect: A lack of a formal procurement policy is insufficient to meet the requirements of the Uniform Guidance as noted in the Criteria section above. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Because USTTI does not have a formal procurement policy, it is not in compliance with the Uniform Guidance.Context (continued): Our audit work in this area consisted of a test of internal controls over a random sample of expenditures, as well as substantive tests of details over transactions above a defined threshold from select expense accounts that were charged to the Federal program. We consider our samples to be representative of the respective populations, and thus, are statistically valid samples. Due to the timing of the audit for the year ended December 31, 2022, USTTI was not able to formalize a policy for the year ended December 31, 2023. We noted that USTTI has formalized a procurement policy during the year ended December 31, 2024. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Yes. See Finding 2022-03. Recommendation: We recommend USTTI formalize a procurement policy which is in compliance with the Uniform Guidance. We also recommend that USTTI management ensure the procurement policy is distributed and communicated in a formal manner to its employees, and that management properly enforce compliance with the policy. All procurement actions should be clearly documented in writing and maintained in the vendor or contractor files.
Material weakness in internal controls over procurement and material noncompliance related to procurement compliance requirements. Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Program Title: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Award Number: HCS-23-AR-2113-058 Award Period: 3/21/21 – 12/31/26 Criteria: 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) requires a non-Federal entity that has expended federal awards to have written policies pertaining to its federal grants for procurement and that the history of each procurement is documented in accordance with 2 CFR section 200.318(i). Condition/Context for Evaluation: The Organization received and utilized the federal award to pay for general contractor services for a construction project that was ongoing at the time of the award. The Organization had entered the procurement of general contractor service prior to receiving the federal award and in accordance with its existing procurement policy, which included a competitive procurement process with a price analysis. However, there was not a procurement policy in place that specifically covered the criteria required under the Uniform Guidance. As a result, the Organization did not have a procurement policy and process in place that resulted in compliance with the Uniform Guidance including the maintenance of records to detail the history of the procurement in accordance with 2 CFR 200.318(i). Effect or Potential Effect: As a result of not having adequate written procedures, a procurement was entered into that did not meet the minimum Uniform Guidance procurement standards. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. Repeat Finding: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization create written policies in accordance with and required by the Uniform Guidance.
2023-002 The Port had inadequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 – COVID-19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Commerce Pass-through Award/Contract Number: 23-7320CO-01 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition The purpose of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) is to support state, local and tribal governments’ response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. In fiscal year 2023, the Port spent $2,121,762 in program funds. The Port used program funds to purchase property and a building and the immediate renovation of that building. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and maintain internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Suspension and Debarment Federal requirements prohibit recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the Port enters into contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify the contractors are not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in federal programs. The Port may verify this by obtaining a written certification from the contractor, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The Port must verify this before entering into the contract, and must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. Our audit found the Port did not have adequate controls in place to verify all four contractors it paid more than $25,000 in federal funds were not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own documented procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR § 200.318-327. The procedures must reflect the most restrictive of applicable federal requirements, state laws and local policies. When using federal funds to procure goods and services, governments must apply the most restrictive of federal requirements, state law or local policies by obtaining quotes or following a competitive procurement process, depending on the estimated cost of the procurement activity. For public works projects, federal regulations require recipients to obtain price or rate quotations for small purchases of $250,000 or less and to use formal procurement methods that are competitive and require public notice if the quotes exceed that amount. Port policy is less restrictive than federal regulations as it allows the use of the Port’s small works roster to obtain price or rate quotations for small purchases of $300,000 or less. Although the Port has a written procurement policy, it does not conform to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring public works projects nor does it reference Uniform Guidance procurement standards set out at 2 CFR 200.318-327 for procurement with federal funds. We consider these deficiencies in internal controls to be material weaknesses that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition Suspension and Debarment The Port does not typically receive significant federal awards and staff were unaware of the requirement to verify all contractors are not suspended or debarred. Procurement Port staff was unaware of the requirement to update the procurement policy to conform to the procurement standards in Uniform Guidance. Effect of Condition Suspension and Debarment The Port did not obtain written certification from the contractors, insert a clause into the contracts or check for exclusion records at SAM.gov to verify the four contractors it paid $540,534 using federal funds were not suspended or debarred before contracting. Without adequate internal controls, the Port cannot ensure the contractors it paid with federal funds were eligible to participate in federal programs. Any program funds the Port used to pay contractors that were suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the awarding agency could potentially recover them. Because the Port subsequently verified the contractors were not suspended or debarred, we are not questioning costs. Procurement Since the Port did not update its written policies, it is at greater risk of noncompliance with the most restrictive procedures when procuring public works projects that it will pay fully or partially with federal funds. The Port did not follow the most restrictive procedures when procuring one contract for $283,611. Recommendation We recommend the Port strengthen internal controls to ensure: • All contractors it pays $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before contracting with them or purchasing from them • Written policies and procedures conform to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.318-327) for all procurement activities • It procures goods and services in accordance with federal regulations, state law and its own procurement policies and procedures Port’s Response To address procurement processes and suspension/debarment compliance review, the Port of Willapa Harbor Commission approved the use of Municipal Research Service Center (MRSC) procurement processes and including an MRSC prior review process of contractors subject to suspension or debarment as required Under Title 2 CFR Part 180, 0MB Guidelines on Agencies on Government -wide Debarment and Suspension Auditor’s Remarks We appreciate the steps the Port is taking to resolve this issue. We will review the condition during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with Federal funds by nonfederal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines on Agencies on Governmentwide Department and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689
FINDING 2023-004 Subject: COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: Department of the Treasury Federal Program: COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): FY 2023 Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The County received a total COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocation of $73,674,384 and chose to calculate its own revenue loss allowance, which totaled $35,932,557, to use for government services. Some SLFRF program funds expended in 2023 were expended under the revenue loss eligible use category. Additional program funds expended in 2023 were expended under the other eligible use categories. Procurement Federal regulations allow for informal procurement methods when the value of the procurement for property or services does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, which is set at $250,000 unless a lower, more restrictive threshold is set by a non-federal entity. As Indiana Code has set a more restrictive threshold of $150,000, informal procurement methods are permitted when the value of the procurement does not exceed $150,000. This informal process allows for methods other than the formal bid process. The informal process is divided between two methods based on thresholds. Micro-purchases, typically for those purchases $10,000 or under, and small purchase procedures for those purchases above the micro-purchase threshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price rate quotations. If small purchase procedures are used, then price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. For funds expended under the revenue loss eligible use category, the above listed procurement requirements do not apply. During the audit period, the County had four vendors with purchases over the $10,000 micropurchase threshold which were expended under an eligible use category other than revenue loss and, as such, were considered small purchase procurements. The County did not provide competitive price quotations for the small purchase procurements for three of the four vendors, which totaled $257,038. Suspension and Debarment Prior to entering into subawards and covered transactions with SLFRF 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 Excluded Parties List System, collecting a certification from that person, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. During the engagement, an employee of the Board of County Commissioners stated that verification was completed by checking the Excluded Parties List System when covered transactions were entered into by the County to verify that an entity with which it plans to enter into a covered transaction is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded or disqualified from participating in federal assistance programs or activities. Six covered transactions, totaling $3,952,203, were paid from SLFRF funds to six different vendors for goods or services that equaled or exceeded $25,000 during the audit period. Three of the six covered transactions were selected for testing. For all three transactions tested, documentation was not provided that the vendor's suspension and debarment status was verified. The lack of internal controls and noncompliance were systemic issues throughout the audit period. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 31 CFR 19.300 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 do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the EPLS; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person if allowed by this rule; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." 2 CFR 200.318 states in part: "(a) The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in §§ 200.317 through 200.327. . . . (i) The non-Federal entity must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: Rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. . . ." 2 CFR 200.320 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. . . . Cause The County was unable to provide documentation to demonstrate it had properly procured services. In addition, the County was unable to provide documentation to demonstrate it had checked the Excluded Parties List System, per the County's procedures, to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred prior to entering into covered transactions that exceeded $25,000. Effect Without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the County cannot demonstrate it obtained an adequate number of price or rate quotations prior to selecting a vendor. Therefore, the County could have overpaid for the services obtained. Furthermore, without the proper implementation of an effectively designed system of internal controls, the County cannot ensure the vendors paid with federal funds are eligible to participate in federal programs. Any program funds the County used to pay vendors that have been suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the funding agency could potentially recover them. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the Board of County Commissioners strengthen the County's system of internal controls to ensure that an adequate number of price or rate quotations are obtained for small purchase procurements. Additionally, we recommended policies and procedures be strengthened to ensure appropriate supporting documentation for federal programs is retained. Lastly, we recommended that the Board of County Commissioners strengthen the County's system of internal controls to ensure that all vendors 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 covered transactions. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.
Item 2023-005 – Procurement Significant Deficiency Federal Program – COVID-19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number – 21.027 Pass-through Grantor's Numbers – 2159FR0256, 2159FR0212 Federal Award Year – December 31, 2023 Federal Agency – U.S. Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity – Tulsa County/City of Tulsa Non-federal entities must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326, which stipulates that the organization must have a policy in place to comply with these standards. The Foundation had no documented policies in place over procurement of goods or services with the use of federal awards. As such, evidence was not available to document that federal procurement standards were followed as transactions took place. The Foundation and affiliates lacked a formally documented policy to prevent or detect inappropriate procurement from being entered into. The Foundation may improperly award and/or pay more than what could have been obtained for comparable goods or services for the geographic area. If instances of non-compliance with federal procurement have occurred or occur in the future, it could result in loss of grant funds, additional federal oversight of federal funding, or repayment of overspent federal monies could be requested to be paid by the Foundation. Not applicable. This is not a repeat finding. The Foundation should create a documented procurement policy that follows federal procurement policies and ensure that all affiliates establish and follow that policy. The Foundation and its affiliates should also establish formally documented controls to ensure that the procurement policies are being adhered. Management's response is reported in "Corrective Action Plan" at the end of this report.
Item 2023-005 – Procurement Significant Deficiency Federal Program – COVID-19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number – 21.027 Pass-through Grantor's Numbers – 2159FR0256, 2159FR0212 Federal Award Year – December 31, 2023 Federal Agency – U.S. Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity – Tulsa County/City of Tulsa Non-federal entities must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326, which stipulates that the organization must have a policy in place to comply with these standards. The Foundation had no documented policies in place over procurement of goods or services with the use of federal awards. As such, evidence was not available to document that federal procurement standards were followed as transactions took place. The Foundation and affiliates lacked a formally documented policy to prevent or detect inappropriate procurement from being entered into. The Foundation may improperly award and/or pay more than what could have been obtained for comparable goods or services for the geographic area. If instances of non-compliance with federal procurement have occurred or occur in the future, it could result in loss of grant funds, additional federal oversight of federal funding, or repayment of overspent federal monies could be requested to be paid by the Foundation. Not applicable. This is not a repeat finding. The Foundation should create a documented procurement policy that follows federal procurement policies and ensure that all affiliates establish and follow that policy. The Foundation and its affiliates should also establish formally documented controls to ensure that the procurement policies are being adhered. Management's response is reported in "Corrective Action Plan" at the end of this report.
Item 2023-005 – Procurement Significant Deficiency Federal Program – COVID-19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number – 21.027 Pass-through Grantor's Numbers – 2159FR0256, 2159FR0212 Federal Award Year – December 31, 2023 Federal Agency – U.S. Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity – Tulsa County/City of Tulsa Non-federal entities must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326, which stipulates that the organization must have a policy in place to comply with these standards. The Foundation had no documented policies in place over procurement of goods or services with the use of federal awards. As such, evidence was not available to document that federal procurement standards were followed as transactions took place. The Foundation and affiliates lacked a formally documented policy to prevent or detect inappropriate procurement from being entered into. The Foundation may improperly award and/or pay more than what could have been obtained for comparable goods or services for the geographic area. If instances of non-compliance with federal procurement have occurred or occur in the future, it could result in loss of grant funds, additional federal oversight of federal funding, or repayment of overspent federal monies could be requested to be paid by the Foundation. Not applicable. This is not a repeat finding. The Foundation should create a documented procurement policy that follows federal procurement policies and ensure that all affiliates establish and follow that policy. The Foundation and its affiliates should also establish formally documented controls to ensure that the procurement policies are being adhered. Management's response is reported in "Corrective Action Plan" at the end of this report.
2023-001 The Council’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 – Highway Planning and Construction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: GCB3510, GCB3871, LA-9282 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Background The Council spent $822,938 in federal Highway Planning and Construction program funds awarded from the Federal Highway Administration and passed through the Washington State Department of Transportation. The program’s objective is to provide funds for the planning, design, construction and rehabilitation of highways and bridge transportation systems. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and maintain internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own documented procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR § 200.318-327. The procedures must reflect the most restrictive of applicable federal requirements, state laws or local policies. When using federal funds to procure goods and services, governments must apply the most restrictive requirements by obtaining quotes or following a competitive procurement process, depending on the estimated cost of the procurement activity. Council policy and federal requirements allow the governing body to waive competitive bidding requirements for purchases that are clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply. The Council must prepare and keep documentation supporting the applicable circumstance and rationale for noncompetitive procurement. Suspension and debarment Federal requirements prohibit grant recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the Council enters into contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify the contractors are not suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded. This also applies to all subrecipients who received federal subawards from the Council, regardless of the award amount. The Council may verify this by collecting a written certification from the contractor or subrecipient, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor or subrecipient is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The Council must perform this verification before entering into the contract or making the subaward, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement Description of Condition Procurement Our audit found the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Although the Council has a written procurement policy, it did not ensure its policy conformed to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring public works projects, competitive proposals and small purchases. The Council’s policy also did not include other required elements such as micro-purchases, piggybacking, requesting proposals for architecture and engineering services, contract cost and price analysis, bonding requirements and more. Additionally, the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring it complied with federal procurement requirements for personal services. The Council paid one contractor $79,519 and designated it as sole source purchase; however, the Council did not retain enough documentation to demonstrate compliance for this procurement exemption. Further, the Council reentered into a contract with an existing contractor for $30,577 without competitively procuring for these services. Suspension and debarment Our audit found the Council did not have adequate controls to verify two contractors it paid more than $25,000 in federal funds were not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs. We consider these deficiencies in internal controls to be material weaknesses that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition Procurement Council staff were unaware of the requirement to update the Council’s procurement policies to conform to federal procurement standards and to retain documentation to show that the procurement exemptions met the procurement policy requirements. Additionally, this was the Council’s first federal audit and staff were not aware of the requirements to reevaluate an existing contract to determine if they needed to reprocure it. Suspension and debarment Council staff responsible for these purchases said they were not aware of the federal requirements for suspension and debarment. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the Council is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors it paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2023, the Council awarded two personal services contracts for traffic flow data and traffic modeling assistance services, totaling $110,097, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the Council cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The Council did not obtain written certifications from the contractors, insert a clause into the contracts or check for exclusion records at SAM.gov to verify that two contractors it paid $110,096 using federal funds were not suspended or debarred before contracting. Without adequate internal controls, the Council cannot ensure the contractors it paid with federal funds were eligible to participate in federal programs. Any program funds the Council used to pay contractors that were suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the awarding agency could potentially recover them. Because we subsequently verified the contractors were not suspended or debarred, we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the Council strengthen internal controls to ensure it: • Updates its procurement policy to conform to the most restrictive of federal, state or local requirements and follow the most restrictive procurement requirement • Verifies all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before contracting with or purchasing from them Council’s Response Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding procurement standards 2 CFR 200.318-327. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management identifying the purchase requirement(s) to accurately document procurement methods and requirements. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director identifying the correct requirement for the purchase based on federal policy. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has updated their internal policy for procurement to reflect the federal thresholds for purchases. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding suspension and debarment for purchases with federal funds. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management requiring verification that the vendor is not suspended or debarred to be included in their purchase request. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director verifying documentation is included. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments finance specialist will pull suspension and debarment before the first payment to vendor. The documentation will be attached to the invoice voucher. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Council for its cooperation and assistance during the audit and acknowledge its commitment to improving the conditions described. We will review the status of this issue during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with federal funds by nonfederal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
2023-001 The Council’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 – Highway Planning and Construction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: GCB3510, GCB3871, LA-9282 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Background The Council spent $822,938 in federal Highway Planning and Construction program funds awarded from the Federal Highway Administration and passed through the Washington State Department of Transportation. The program’s objective is to provide funds for the planning, design, construction and rehabilitation of highways and bridge transportation systems. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and maintain internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own documented procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR § 200.318-327. The procedures must reflect the most restrictive of applicable federal requirements, state laws or local policies. When using federal funds to procure goods and services, governments must apply the most restrictive requirements by obtaining quotes or following a competitive procurement process, depending on the estimated cost of the procurement activity. Council policy and federal requirements allow the governing body to waive competitive bidding requirements for purchases that are clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply. The Council must prepare and keep documentation supporting the applicable circumstance and rationale for noncompetitive procurement. Suspension and debarment Federal requirements prohibit grant recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the Council enters into contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify the contractors are not suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded. This also applies to all subrecipients who received federal subawards from the Council, regardless of the award amount. The Council may verify this by collecting a written certification from the contractor or subrecipient, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor or subrecipient is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The Council must perform this verification before entering into the contract or making the subaward, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement Description of Condition Procurement Our audit found the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Although the Council has a written procurement policy, it did not ensure its policy conformed to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring public works projects, competitive proposals and small purchases. The Council’s policy also did not include other required elements such as micro-purchases, piggybacking, requesting proposals for architecture and engineering services, contract cost and price analysis, bonding requirements and more. Additionally, the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring it complied with federal procurement requirements for personal services. The Council paid one contractor $79,519 and designated it as sole source purchase; however, the Council did not retain enough documentation to demonstrate compliance for this procurement exemption. Further, the Council reentered into a contract with an existing contractor for $30,577 without competitively procuring for these services. Suspension and debarment Our audit found the Council did not have adequate controls to verify two contractors it paid more than $25,000 in federal funds were not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs. We consider these deficiencies in internal controls to be material weaknesses that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition Procurement Council staff were unaware of the requirement to update the Council’s procurement policies to conform to federal procurement standards and to retain documentation to show that the procurement exemptions met the procurement policy requirements. Additionally, this was the Council’s first federal audit and staff were not aware of the requirements to reevaluate an existing contract to determine if they needed to reprocure it. Suspension and debarment Council staff responsible for these purchases said they were not aware of the federal requirements for suspension and debarment. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the Council is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors it paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2023, the Council awarded two personal services contracts for traffic flow data and traffic modeling assistance services, totaling $110,097, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the Council cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The Council did not obtain written certifications from the contractors, insert a clause into the contracts or check for exclusion records at SAM.gov to verify that two contractors it paid $110,096 using federal funds were not suspended or debarred before contracting. Without adequate internal controls, the Council cannot ensure the contractors it paid with federal funds were eligible to participate in federal programs. Any program funds the Council used to pay contractors that were suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the awarding agency could potentially recover them. Because we subsequently verified the contractors were not suspended or debarred, we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the Council strengthen internal controls to ensure it: • Updates its procurement policy to conform to the most restrictive of federal, state or local requirements and follow the most restrictive procurement requirement • Verifies all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before contracting with or purchasing from them Council’s Response Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding procurement standards 2 CFR 200.318-327. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management identifying the purchase requirement(s) to accurately document procurement methods and requirements. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director identifying the correct requirement for the purchase based on federal policy. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has updated their internal policy for procurement to reflect the federal thresholds for purchases. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding suspension and debarment for purchases with federal funds. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management requiring verification that the vendor is not suspended or debarred to be included in their purchase request. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director verifying documentation is included. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments finance specialist will pull suspension and debarment before the first payment to vendor. The documentation will be attached to the invoice voucher. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Council for its cooperation and assistance during the audit and acknowledge its commitment to improving the conditions described. We will review the status of this issue during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with federal funds by nonfederal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
2023-001 The Council’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 – Highway Planning and Construction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: GCB3510, GCB3871, LA-9282 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Background The Council spent $822,938 in federal Highway Planning and Construction program funds awarded from the Federal Highway Administration and passed through the Washington State Department of Transportation. The program’s objective is to provide funds for the planning, design, construction and rehabilitation of highways and bridge transportation systems. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and maintain internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own documented procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR § 200.318-327. The procedures must reflect the most restrictive of applicable federal requirements, state laws or local policies. When using federal funds to procure goods and services, governments must apply the most restrictive requirements by obtaining quotes or following a competitive procurement process, depending on the estimated cost of the procurement activity. Council policy and federal requirements allow the governing body to waive competitive bidding requirements for purchases that are clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply. The Council must prepare and keep documentation supporting the applicable circumstance and rationale for noncompetitive procurement. Suspension and debarment Federal requirements prohibit grant recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the Council enters into contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify the contractors are not suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded. This also applies to all subrecipients who received federal subawards from the Council, regardless of the award amount. The Council may verify this by collecting a written certification from the contractor or subrecipient, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor or subrecipient is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The Council must perform this verification before entering into the contract or making the subaward, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement Description of Condition Procurement Our audit found the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Although the Council has a written procurement policy, it did not ensure its policy conformed to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring public works projects, competitive proposals and small purchases. The Council’s policy also did not include other required elements such as micro-purchases, piggybacking, requesting proposals for architecture and engineering services, contract cost and price analysis, bonding requirements and more. Additionally, the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring it complied with federal procurement requirements for personal services. The Council paid one contractor $79,519 and designated it as sole source purchase; however, the Council did not retain enough documentation to demonstrate compliance for this procurement exemption. Further, the Council reentered into a contract with an existing contractor for $30,577 without competitively procuring for these services. Suspension and debarment Our audit found the Council did not have adequate controls to verify two contractors it paid more than $25,000 in federal funds were not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs. We consider these deficiencies in internal controls to be material weaknesses that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition Procurement Council staff were unaware of the requirement to update the Council’s procurement policies to conform to federal procurement standards and to retain documentation to show that the procurement exemptions met the procurement policy requirements. Additionally, this was the Council’s first federal audit and staff were not aware of the requirements to reevaluate an existing contract to determine if they needed to reprocure it. Suspension and debarment Council staff responsible for these purchases said they were not aware of the federal requirements for suspension and debarment. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the Council is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors it paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2023, the Council awarded two personal services contracts for traffic flow data and traffic modeling assistance services, totaling $110,097, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the Council cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The Council did not obtain written certifications from the contractors, insert a clause into the contracts or check for exclusion records at SAM.gov to verify that two contractors it paid $110,096 using federal funds were not suspended or debarred before contracting. Without adequate internal controls, the Council cannot ensure the contractors it paid with federal funds were eligible to participate in federal programs. Any program funds the Council used to pay contractors that were suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the awarding agency could potentially recover them. Because we subsequently verified the contractors were not suspended or debarred, we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the Council strengthen internal controls to ensure it: • Updates its procurement policy to conform to the most restrictive of federal, state or local requirements and follow the most restrictive procurement requirement • Verifies all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before contracting with or purchasing from them Council’s Response Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding procurement standards 2 CFR 200.318-327. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management identifying the purchase requirement(s) to accurately document procurement methods and requirements. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director identifying the correct requirement for the purchase based on federal policy. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has updated their internal policy for procurement to reflect the federal thresholds for purchases. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding suspension and debarment for purchases with federal funds. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management requiring verification that the vendor is not suspended or debarred to be included in their purchase request. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director verifying documentation is included. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments finance specialist will pull suspension and debarment before the first payment to vendor. The documentation will be attached to the invoice voucher. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Council for its cooperation and assistance during the audit and acknowledge its commitment to improving the conditions described. We will review the status of this issue during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with federal funds by nonfederal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
2023-001 The Council’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 – Highway Planning and Construction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: GCB3510, GCB3871, LA-9282 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Background The Council spent $822,938 in federal Highway Planning and Construction program funds awarded from the Federal Highway Administration and passed through the Washington State Department of Transportation. The program’s objective is to provide funds for the planning, design, construction and rehabilitation of highways and bridge transportation systems. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and maintain internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own documented procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR § 200.318-327. The procedures must reflect the most restrictive of applicable federal requirements, state laws or local policies. When using federal funds to procure goods and services, governments must apply the most restrictive requirements by obtaining quotes or following a competitive procurement process, depending on the estimated cost of the procurement activity. Council policy and federal requirements allow the governing body to waive competitive bidding requirements for purchases that are clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply. The Council must prepare and keep documentation supporting the applicable circumstance and rationale for noncompetitive procurement. Suspension and debarment Federal requirements prohibit grant recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the Council enters into contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify the contractors are not suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded. This also applies to all subrecipients who received federal subawards from the Council, regardless of the award amount. The Council may verify this by collecting a written certification from the contractor or subrecipient, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor or subrecipient is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The Council must perform this verification before entering into the contract or making the subaward, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement Description of Condition Procurement Our audit found the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Although the Council has a written procurement policy, it did not ensure its policy conformed to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring public works projects, competitive proposals and small purchases. The Council’s policy also did not include other required elements such as micro-purchases, piggybacking, requesting proposals for architecture and engineering services, contract cost and price analysis, bonding requirements and more. Additionally, the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring it complied with federal procurement requirements for personal services. The Council paid one contractor $79,519 and designated it as sole source purchase; however, the Council did not retain enough documentation to demonstrate compliance for this procurement exemption. Further, the Council reentered into a contract with an existing contractor for $30,577 without competitively procuring for these services. Suspension and debarment Our audit found the Council did not have adequate controls to verify two contractors it paid more than $25,000 in federal funds were not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs. We consider these deficiencies in internal controls to be material weaknesses that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition Procurement Council staff were unaware of the requirement to update the Council’s procurement policies to conform to federal procurement standards and to retain documentation to show that the procurement exemptions met the procurement policy requirements. Additionally, this was the Council’s first federal audit and staff were not aware of the requirements to reevaluate an existing contract to determine if they needed to reprocure it. Suspension and debarment Council staff responsible for these purchases said they were not aware of the federal requirements for suspension and debarment. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the Council is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors it paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2023, the Council awarded two personal services contracts for traffic flow data and traffic modeling assistance services, totaling $110,097, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the Council cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The Council did not obtain written certifications from the contractors, insert a clause into the contracts or check for exclusion records at SAM.gov to verify that two contractors it paid $110,096 using federal funds were not suspended or debarred before contracting. Without adequate internal controls, the Council cannot ensure the contractors it paid with federal funds were eligible to participate in federal programs. Any program funds the Council used to pay contractors that were suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the awarding agency could potentially recover them. Because we subsequently verified the contractors were not suspended or debarred, we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the Council strengthen internal controls to ensure it: • Updates its procurement policy to conform to the most restrictive of federal, state or local requirements and follow the most restrictive procurement requirement • Verifies all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before contracting with or purchasing from them Council’s Response Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding procurement standards 2 CFR 200.318-327. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management identifying the purchase requirement(s) to accurately document procurement methods and requirements. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director identifying the correct requirement for the purchase based on federal policy. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has updated their internal policy for procurement to reflect the federal thresholds for purchases. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding suspension and debarment for purchases with federal funds. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management requiring verification that the vendor is not suspended or debarred to be included in their purchase request. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director verifying documentation is included. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments finance specialist will pull suspension and debarment before the first payment to vendor. The documentation will be attached to the invoice voucher. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Council for its cooperation and assistance during the audit and acknowledge its commitment to improving the conditions described. We will review the status of this issue during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with federal funds by nonfederal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
2023-001 The Council’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205 – Highway Planning and Construction Grant Federal Grantor Name: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: GCB3510, GCB3871, LA-9282 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Background The Council spent $822,938 in federal Highway Planning and Construction program funds awarded from the Federal Highway Administration and passed through the Washington State Department of Transportation. The program’s objective is to provide funds for the planning, design, construction and rehabilitation of highways and bridge transportation systems. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and maintain internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own documented procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR § 200.318-327. The procedures must reflect the most restrictive of applicable federal requirements, state laws or local policies. When using federal funds to procure goods and services, governments must apply the most restrictive requirements by obtaining quotes or following a competitive procurement process, depending on the estimated cost of the procurement activity. Council policy and federal requirements allow the governing body to waive competitive bidding requirements for purchases that are clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply. The Council must prepare and keep documentation supporting the applicable circumstance and rationale for noncompetitive procurement. Suspension and debarment Federal requirements prohibit grant recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the Council enters into contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify the contractors are not suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded. This also applies to all subrecipients who received federal subawards from the Council, regardless of the award amount. The Council may verify this by collecting a written certification from the contractor or subrecipient, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor or subrecipient is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The Council must perform this verification before entering into the contract or making the subaward, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement Description of Condition Procurement Our audit found the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Although the Council has a written procurement policy, it did not ensure its policy conformed to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring public works projects, competitive proposals and small purchases. The Council’s policy also did not include other required elements such as micro-purchases, piggybacking, requesting proposals for architecture and engineering services, contract cost and price analysis, bonding requirements and more. Additionally, the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring it complied with federal procurement requirements for personal services. The Council paid one contractor $79,519 and designated it as sole source purchase; however, the Council did not retain enough documentation to demonstrate compliance for this procurement exemption. Further, the Council reentered into a contract with an existing contractor for $30,577 without competitively procuring for these services. Suspension and debarment Our audit found the Council did not have adequate controls to verify two contractors it paid more than $25,000 in federal funds were not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs. We consider these deficiencies in internal controls to be material weaknesses that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition Procurement Council staff were unaware of the requirement to update the Council’s procurement policies to conform to federal procurement standards and to retain documentation to show that the procurement exemptions met the procurement policy requirements. Additionally, this was the Council’s first federal audit and staff were not aware of the requirements to reevaluate an existing contract to determine if they needed to reprocure it. Suspension and debarment Council staff responsible for these purchases said they were not aware of the federal requirements for suspension and debarment. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the Council is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors it paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2023, the Council awarded two personal services contracts for traffic flow data and traffic modeling assistance services, totaling $110,097, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the Council cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The Council did not obtain written certifications from the contractors, insert a clause into the contracts or check for exclusion records at SAM.gov to verify that two contractors it paid $110,096 using federal funds were not suspended or debarred before contracting. Without adequate internal controls, the Council cannot ensure the contractors it paid with federal funds were eligible to participate in federal programs. Any program funds the Council used to pay contractors that were suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the awarding agency could potentially recover them. Because we subsequently verified the contractors were not suspended or debarred, we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the Council strengthen internal controls to ensure it: • Updates its procurement policy to conform to the most restrictive of federal, state or local requirements and follow the most restrictive procurement requirement • Verifies all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before contracting with or purchasing from them Council’s Response Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding procurement standards 2 CFR 200.318-327. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management identifying the purchase requirement(s) to accurately document procurement methods and requirements. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director identifying the correct requirement for the purchase based on federal policy. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has updated their internal policy for procurement to reflect the federal thresholds for purchases. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding suspension and debarment for purchases with federal funds. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management requiring verification that the vendor is not suspended or debarred to be included in their purchase request. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director verifying documentation is included. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments finance specialist will pull suspension and debarment before the first payment to vendor. The documentation will be attached to the invoice voucher. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Council for its cooperation and assistance during the audit and acknowledge its commitment to improving the conditions described. We will review the status of this issue during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with federal funds by nonfederal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
2023-002 The Council’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with federal procurement and suspension and debarment requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 21.027 – COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Grantor Name: Department of the Treasury Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Yakima County Pass-through Award/Contract Number: ARPA-COVID-19-37826 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Background The purpose of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) is to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic’s negative effects on public health and the economy, provide premium pay to essential workers during the pandemic, provide government services to the extent COVID-19 caused a reduction in revenues collected, and make necessary investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure. In 2023, the Council spent $1,208,591 in program funds for the provision of government services, which was passed through from Yakima County. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and maintain internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Procurement Federal regulations require recipients to follow their own documented procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR § 200.318-327. The procedures must reflect the most restrictive of applicable federal requirements, state laws or local policies. When using federal funds to procure goods and services, governments must apply the most restrictive requirements by obtaining quotes or following a competitive procurement process, depending on the estimated cost of the procurement activity. Suspension and debarment Federal requirements prohibit grant recipients from contracting with or purchasing from parties suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. Whenever the Council enters into contracts or purchases goods or services that it expects to equal or exceed $25,000, paid all or in part with federal funds, it must verify the contractors are not suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded. This also applies to all subrecipients who have received federal subawards from the Council, regardless of the award amount. The Council may verify this by collecting a written certification from the contractor or subrecipient, adding a clause or condition into the contract that states the contractor or subrecipient is not suspended or debarred, or checking for exclusion records in the U.S. General Services Administration’s System for Award Management at SAM.gov. The Council must verify this before entering into the contract or making the subaward, and it must maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this federal requirement. Description of Condition Procurement Our audit found the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Although the Council has a written procurement policy, it did not ensure its policy conformed to the most restrictive methods and thresholds for procuring public works projects, competitive proposals and small purchases. The Council’s policy also did not include other required elements such as micro-purchases, piggybacking, requesting proposals for architecture and engineering services, contract cost and price analysis, bonding requirements and more. Additionally, the Council’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring it complied with federal procurement requirements for purchases and purchased services. The Council did not competitively procure one purchase totaling $99,441 and two service contractors it paid $78,350. Suspension and Debarment Our audit found the Council did not have adequate controls to verify six contractors it paid more than $25,000 in federal funds were not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs. We consider these deficiencies in internal controls to be material weaknesses that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition Procurement Council staff were unaware of the requirement to update the Council’s procurement policies to conform to federal procurement standards. This was the Council first federal audit, and it did not retain documentation to show the purchases met the procurement policy requirements. Additionally, Council staff thought they were not required to follow the procurement policies if the Board approved of such. Suspension and Debarment Council staff responsible for these purchases said they were not aware of the federal requirements for suspension and debarment. Effect of Condition Procurement Without updated written procedures, the Council is at greater risk of noncompliance with following the most restrictive procurement methods when procuring contractors it paid all or in part with federal funds. In 2023, the Council awarded three contracts for software and equipment, totaling $177,791, without competitively procuring them. Without effective internal controls, the Council cannot ensure it allowed for full and open competition, received the best price and complied with federal procurement requirements. Suspension and debarment The Council did not obtain written certifications from the contractors, insert a clause into the contracts or check for exclusion records at SAM.gov to verify that six contractors it paid $712,885 using federal funds were not suspended or debarred before contracting. Without adequate internal controls, the Council cannot ensure the contractors it paid with federal funds were eligible to participate in federal programs. Any program funds the Council used to pay contractors that were suspended or debarred would be unallowable, and the awarding agency could potentially recover them. Because we subsequently verified the contractor were not suspended or debarred, we are not questioning costs. Recommendation We recommend the Council strengthen internal controls to ensure it: • Updates its procurement policies to conform to the most restrictive of federal, state or local and follow the most restrictive procurement requirement • Verifies all contractors it expects to pay $25,000 or more, all or in part with federal funds, are not suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs before contracting with or purchasing from them Council’s Response Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding procurement standards 2 CFR 200.318-327. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management identifying the purchase requirement(s) to accurately document procurement methods and requirements. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director identifying the correct requirement for the purchase based on federal policy. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has updated their internal policy for procurement to reflect the federal thresholds for purchases. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments has met with staff regarding suspension and debarment for purchases with federal funds. We are implementing a purchase request form to be completed by management requiring verification that the vendor is not suspended or debarred to be included in their purchase request. The purchase request form will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director verifying documentation is included. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments finance specialist will pull suspension and debarment before the first payment to vendor. The documentation will be attached to the invoice voucher. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Council for its cooperation and assistance during the audit and acknowledge its commitment to improving the conditions described. We will review the status of this issue during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, establishes requirements for procuring with federal funds by nonfederal entities. Title 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), establishes nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689.
Criteria or specific requirement: Non-federal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. This procurement process must be documented with proper supporting documentation. Condition: The County did not have proper procurement documentation available for the contracts tested in the audit. Questioned costs: None Context: Seven of the seven contracts tested did not have the proper supporting documentation to demonstrate that procurement procedures were followed in accordance with the County’s procurement policy. Cause: The contracts were in process before the funding was assigned to the projects and there was turnover at the County. Effect: Failure to document the procurement process exposes the County to the risk that the County’s procurement policy was not followed before the contracts were awarded. Repeat Finding: Yes, repeat of prior year finding 2022-003. Recommendation: CLA recommends the County follow their internal procurement policy procedures and keep documentation of such procedures to ensure compliance with the federal procurement requirements. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Criteria or specific requirement: Non-federal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. This procurement process must be documented with proper supporting documentation. Condition: The County did not have proper procurement documentation available for the contracts tested in the audit. Questioned costs: None Context: Seven of the seven contracts tested did not have the proper supporting documentation to demonstrate that procurement procedures were followed in accordance with the County’s procurement policy. Cause: The contracts were in process before the funding was assigned to the projects and there was turnover at the County. Effect: Failure to document the procurement process exposes the County to the risk that the County’s procurement policy was not followed before the contracts were awarded. Repeat Finding: Yes, repeat of prior year finding 2022-003. Recommendation: CLA recommends the County follow their internal procurement policy procedures and keep documentation of such procedures to ensure compliance with the federal procurement requirements. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Criteria or specific requirement: Non-federal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. This procurement process must be documented with proper supporting documentation. Condition: The County did not have proper procurement documentation available for the contracts tested in the audit. Questioned costs: None Context: Seven of the seven contracts tested did not have the proper supporting documentation to demonstrate that procurement procedures were followed in accordance with the County’s procurement policy. Cause: The contracts were in process before the funding was assigned to the projects and there was turnover at the County. Effect: Failure to document the procurement process exposes the County to the risk that the County’s procurement policy was not followed before the contracts were awarded. Repeat Finding: Yes, repeat of prior year finding 2022-003. Recommendation: CLA recommends the County follow their internal procurement policy procedures and keep documentation of such procedures to ensure compliance with the federal procurement requirements. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 2020-38640-31522 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota- April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2023, March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, and April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System- September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024, September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025, and January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 Criteria or Specific Requirement: 2 CFR section 200.318(a) requires a non-federal entity to have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with state, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 2 CFR section 200.318(c)(1) requires a non- federal entity to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. 2 CFR section 200.318(i) requires a non-federal entity to maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement including, but not limited to, the: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: There are no documented procurement procedures that meet the requirements of 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327 that were implemented for the fiscal year. There are no consistently implemented internal controls documented to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. 19 out of 60 procurements did not have documented an internal control over compliance. 1 of 2 simplified acquisition procurements had no documentation of the rationale for the method, documentation to support a required procurement method used, contractor selections or rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices. The only support documented are the invoices. No covered transactions were documented as tested for suspension and debarment. Cause: There were no written procedures over procurement and when changes in management and accounting services occurred internal control documentation was not consistent and compliance requirements were not understood. Effect or Potential Effect: Procurement transactions may not be in compliance and disallowed. Questioned Costs: $22,000 – two simplified acquisitions Context: 60 ($76,181) out of 721 ($302,069) procurement transactions were tested. Two of the 721 procurements were simplified acquisitions while the remaining were micro purchases. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of Finding 2022-005. Recommendation: The Organization should develop and document procurement procedures that meet state, local, and Uniform Guidance requirements. Internal controls should be designed, implemented, and documented within the procurement procedures to ensure compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.327. At a minimum, the procurement history including rationale for the method, procurement method support, contract selections and rejections, suspension and debarment, and bases for contract prices should be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement procurement procedures.
SCHEDULE OF FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Wahkiakum County January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 2023-002 The County did not have adequate controls for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: 2035-056 LA-10360-7F and 8F / LA-10355 TAP-D350(001) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2023, the County spent $175,301 in Highway Planning and Construction program funds. The program’s objective is to provide funds for the planning, design, construction and rehabilitation of highways and bridge transportation systems. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and maintain internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Federal regulations also require recipients to establish and follow their own documented procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR § 200.318-327. The procedures must reflect the most restrictive of applicable federal, state or local procurement thresholds and methods when using federal funds to procure goods and services. Governments must apply the more restrictive requirements by obtaining quotes or following a competitive procurement process, depending on the estimated cost of the procurement activity. Our audit found the County’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Specifically, the County did not establish its own written procurement procedures and did not maintain records sufficient to detail the procurement of a professional services contract that it charged to the program. We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition Management and staff were unaware the County was required to have its own written procurement procedures and maintain records detailing its procurement actions. Effect of Condition The County did not establish its own written procurement procedures required by federal procurement requirements. Without written policies and procedures, the County is at greater risk of noncompliance with the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods and requirements when using federal funds to procure contractors. Additionally, the County procured a professional services contract with costs of $151,761 that it charged to the program during the period. County staff were able to describe the competitive proposals process that they used. However, the County did not retain the proposals it received or documentation of the evaluation and scoring of proposals to support that it awarded the contract to the contractor with the most advantageous proposal. Without maintaining sufficient records to detail the history of procurement, the County cannot demonstrate compliance with federal procurement requirements. Recommendation We recommend the County establish written procurement procedures that conform to federal procurement requirements. We also recommend the County strengthen internal controls to ensure it maintains documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal procurement requirements. County’s Response The Process Checklist has been completed and is in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office for review. We have written into the Process Checklist to maintain the documentation required when obtaining Professional Bids. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the County for its cooperation and assistance during the audit and acknowledge its commitment to resolve this finding. We will review the corrective action taken during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures and requirements for maintaining records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. Title 2 CFR 200, Uniform Guidance, section 319, Competition, establishes all procurement transactions are to be conducted in a manner providing full and open competition. Title 2 CFR 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, describes each allowable procurement method.
SCHEDULE OF FEDERAL AWARD FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS Wahkiakum County January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 2023-002 The County did not have adequate controls for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction Federal Grantor Name: Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Transportation Pass-through Award/Contract Number: 2035-056 LA-10360-7F and 8F / LA-10355 TAP-D350(001) Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: N/A Description of Condition During fiscal year 2023, the County spent $175,301 in Highway Planning and Construction program funds. The program’s objective is to provide funds for the planning, design, construction and rehabilitation of highways and bridge transportation systems. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and maintain internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Federal regulations also require recipients to establish and follow their own documented procurement procedures, which must conform to the Uniform Guidance procurement standards found in 2 CFR § 200.318-327. The procedures must reflect the most restrictive of applicable federal, state or local procurement thresholds and methods when using federal funds to procure goods and services. Governments must apply the more restrictive requirements by obtaining quotes or following a competitive procurement process, depending on the estimated cost of the procurement activity. Our audit found the County’s internal controls were ineffective for ensuring compliance with federal procurement requirements. Specifically, the County did not establish its own written procurement procedures and did not maintain records sufficient to detail the procurement of a professional services contract that it charged to the program. We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition Management and staff were unaware the County was required to have its own written procurement procedures and maintain records detailing its procurement actions. Effect of Condition The County did not establish its own written procurement procedures required by federal procurement requirements. Without written policies and procedures, the County is at greater risk of noncompliance with the most restrictive of federal, state or local procurement methods and requirements when using federal funds to procure contractors. Additionally, the County procured a professional services contract with costs of $151,761 that it charged to the program during the period. County staff were able to describe the competitive proposals process that they used. However, the County did not retain the proposals it received or documentation of the evaluation and scoring of proposals to support that it awarded the contract to the contractor with the most advantageous proposal. Without maintaining sufficient records to detail the history of procurement, the County cannot demonstrate compliance with federal procurement requirements. Recommendation We recommend the County establish written procurement procedures that conform to federal procurement requirements. We also recommend the County strengthen internal controls to ensure it maintains documentation to demonstrate compliance with federal procurement requirements. County’s Response The Process Checklist has been completed and is in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office for review. We have written into the Process Checklist to maintain the documentation required when obtaining Professional Bids. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the County for its cooperation and assistance during the audit and acknowledge its commitment to resolve this finding. We will review the corrective action taken during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Section 318, General procurement standards, establishes requirements for written procedures and requirements for maintaining records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. Title 2 CFR 200, Uniform Guidance, section 319, Competition, establishes all procurement transactions are to be conducted in a manner providing full and open competition. Title 2 CFR 200, Uniform Guidance, section 320, Methods of procurement to be followed, describes each allowable procurement method.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Program Information Assistance Listing # 47.076 STEM Education Grant No. (FAIN) 2005484 Grant Period - September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2023 Grant No. (FAIN) 2005942 Grant Period – August 15, 2020 – July 31, 2024 2023-002 Policies and Procedures Material Weakness Criteria: The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 200.318 - 200.327 require written policies concerning methods of procurement for goods and services. Condition: The Foundation did not have a written procurement policy that included all of the required elements during 2023. Also, there were no controls in place to detect or prevent this policy from not being prepared. Cause: This is the first year that the Foundation was required to have a Single audit and as such is still in the process of developing and adopting specific policies and procedures to ensure its internal practices are in alignment with the Uniform Guidance. Effect: The Foundation is not in compliance with Section 200.318 - 200.327 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Auditor’s Recommendation: We recommend that the Foundation adopt a formal written procurement policy in the format and with the elements required by 2 CFR Sections 200.318 to 200.327. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The Foundation’s management team agrees with this finding and remains fully committed to both developing and adopting specific procurement policies for federal expenditures which will better ensure its internal practices are in alignment with the Uniform Guidance.
ALN Title and Number COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, AL #21.027 Federal Award Number and Year 2023 Federal Agency United States Department of the Treasury Pass-Through Entity Ohio Department of Public Safety Repeat Finding from Prior Audit? No Finding Number (if repeat) N/A Finding 2023-004 – Material Weakness/Noncompliance – Allowable Costs/Cost Principals and Suspension and Debarment 2 CFR 200 outlines the following policies required for a County spending Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: • 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7) for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E-Cost Principles; • 2 CFR 200.430 for allowability of compensation costs; 2 CFR 200.464(a)(2) for reimbursement of relocation costs; • 2 CFR 200.318(c)(1) for employee conflicts of interest; • 2 CFR 200.318(c)(2) for organizational conflicts of interest; • 2 CFR 200.320(b)(2) for selection and awarding of contracts for competitive proposals; • 2 CFR 200.319(d) for minimum evaluation criteria for bids and proposals. During testing we noted that the County did not have sufficient written policies addressing the above requirements. Failure to adopt and implement policies could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements. We recommend the County approve and implement the above policies to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
ALN Title and Number COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, AL #21.027 Federal Award Number and Year 2023 Federal Agency United States Department of the Treasury Pass-Through Entity Ohio Department of Public Safety Repeat Finding from Prior Audit? No Finding Number (if repeat) N/A Finding 2023-004 – Material Weakness/Noncompliance – Allowable Costs/Cost Principals and Suspension and Debarment 2 CFR 200 outlines the following policies required for a County spending Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: • 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7) for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E-Cost Principles; • 2 CFR 200.430 for allowability of compensation costs; 2 CFR 200.464(a)(2) for reimbursement of relocation costs; • 2 CFR 200.318(c)(1) for employee conflicts of interest; • 2 CFR 200.318(c)(2) for organizational conflicts of interest; • 2 CFR 200.320(b)(2) for selection and awarding of contracts for competitive proposals; • 2 CFR 200.319(d) for minimum evaluation criteria for bids and proposals. During testing we noted that the County did not have sufficient written policies addressing the above requirements. Failure to adopt and implement policies could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements. We recommend the County approve and implement the above policies to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
ALN Title and Number COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, AL #21.027 Federal Award Number and Year 2023 Federal Agency United States Department of the Treasury Pass-Through Entity Ohio Department of Public Safety Repeat Finding from Prior Audit? No Finding Number (if repeat) N/A Finding 2023-004 – Material Weakness/Noncompliance – Allowable Costs/Cost Principals and Suspension and Debarment 2 CFR 200 outlines the following policies required for a County spending Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: • 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7) for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E-Cost Principles; • 2 CFR 200.430 for allowability of compensation costs; 2 CFR 200.464(a)(2) for reimbursement of relocation costs; • 2 CFR 200.318(c)(1) for employee conflicts of interest; • 2 CFR 200.318(c)(2) for organizational conflicts of interest; • 2 CFR 200.320(b)(2) for selection and awarding of contracts for competitive proposals; • 2 CFR 200.319(d) for minimum evaluation criteria for bids and proposals. During testing we noted that the County did not have sufficient written policies addressing the above requirements. Failure to adopt and implement policies could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements. We recommend the County approve and implement the above policies to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
ALN Title and Number COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, AL #21.027 Federal Award Number and Year 2023 Federal Agency United States Department of the Treasury Pass-Through Entity Ohio Department of Public Safety Repeat Finding from Prior Audit? No Finding Number (if repeat) N/A Finding 2023-004 – Material Weakness/Noncompliance – Allowable Costs/Cost Principals and Suspension and Debarment 2 CFR 200 outlines the following policies required for a County spending Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: • 2 CFR 200.302(b)(7) for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E-Cost Principles; • 2 CFR 200.430 for allowability of compensation costs; 2 CFR 200.464(a)(2) for reimbursement of relocation costs; • 2 CFR 200.318(c)(1) for employee conflicts of interest; • 2 CFR 200.318(c)(2) for organizational conflicts of interest; • 2 CFR 200.320(b)(2) for selection and awarding of contracts for competitive proposals; • 2 CFR 200.319(d) for minimum evaluation criteria for bids and proposals. During testing we noted that the County did not have sufficient written policies addressing the above requirements. Failure to adopt and implement policies could lead to noncompliance with federal requirements. We recommend the County approve and implement the above policies to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
Finding 2023-002 Material weakness in internal control over compliance with procurement procedures meeting the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200. Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Pass-Through: State of Washington Department of Health (DOH) Program Title: HIV Prevention Activities Health Department Assistance Listing Number: 93.940 Award Number: CBO27200; CBO28119; 10248 PREV Award Period: July 01, 2022 through August 31, 2023; July 01, 2023 through December 31, 2023; April 01, 2023 through March 31, 2024 Criteria Internal controls requirements contained in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), Subpart D ‐ Post Federal Award Requirements, Sections 200.318 through 200.320, require that a non-federal entity have documented procurement procedures that provide for full and open competition and follow the procurement methods required by Subpart D of 2 CFR Part 200. Condition/Context for Evaluation Although the Organization has a procurement policy, the policy does not cover the requirements in Subpart D which include the thresholds for micro-purchase awards, small purchases, and formal procurement methods such as sealed bids, proposals, and noncompetitive procurement. Nor does the policy cover solicitation procedures for procurements. Cause The Organization's procurement policy does not seem to have been reviewed against the Uniform Guidance for compliance. Effect or Potential Effect The absence of a policy that fully conforms to the Uniform Guidance does not assure open and free competition among suppliers. Questioned Costs None. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation We recommend the Organization implement measures to ensure that its procurement policy reflect applicable requirements in 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan Management agrees with the finding and has provided the accompanying corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-002 Material weakness in internal control over compliance with procurement procedures meeting the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200. Federal Agency: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Pass-Through: State of Washington Department of Health (DOH) Program Title: HIV Prevention Activities Health Department Assistance Listing Number: 93.940 Award Number: CBO27200; CBO28119; 10248 PREV Award Period: July 01, 2022 through August 31, 2023; July 01, 2023 through December 31, 2023; April 01, 2023 through March 31, 2024 Criteria Internal controls requirements contained in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), Subpart D ‐ Post Federal Award Requirements, Sections 200.318 through 200.320, require that a non-federal entity have documented procurement procedures that provide for full and open competition and follow the procurement methods required by Subpart D of 2 CFR Part 200. Condition/Context for Evaluation Although the Organization has a procurement policy, the policy does not cover the requirements in Subpart D which include the thresholds for micro-purchase awards, small purchases, and formal procurement methods such as sealed bids, proposals, and noncompetitive procurement. Nor does the policy cover solicitation procedures for procurements. Cause The Organization's procurement policy does not seem to have been reviewed against the Uniform Guidance for compliance. Effect or Potential Effect The absence of a policy that fully conforms to the Uniform Guidance does not assure open and free competition among suppliers. Questioned Costs None. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation We recommend the Organization implement measures to ensure that its procurement policy reflect applicable requirements in 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan Management agrees with the finding and has provided the accompanying corrective action plan.
U.S. Department of Treasury COVID 19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - 21.027 Criteria or Specific Requirement: Procurement and Significant Deficiency In accordance with 2 CFR 200.318, recipients and subrecipients must maintain and use documented procedures for procurement transactions under a Federal award or subaward, including acquisition of property and services. These documented procurement procedures must be consistent with State, local and tribal laws and regulations and the standards identified in 2 CFR 200.317 through 2 CFR 200.327. Condition: During our test work over the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery grant, we noted the Unified Government did not perform procurement procedures on one of its vendor contracts. Questioned Costs - None noted. Context: For 21.027, there were 29 vendors receiving a total of $1,789,214 subject to procurement requirements. Of those 29, a sample of eight vendors receiving a total of $470,106 were selected for testing. One of the eight vendors selected for testing did not undergo the Unified Government's formal procurement procedures. However, the vendor did undergo proper suspension and debarment checks and no issues were identified during this check. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Identification of Prior Year Finding: N/A Effect: Federal funds could be paid to entities outside of the Unified Government's procurement policy. Cause: The vendor identified was granted a non-competitive procurement under national emergency conditions due to the effects of COVID-19. However, the vendor was utilized again after the national emergency period and the Unified Government's procurement policy should have been followed at this time, but was not. Recommendation: We recommend that the Unified Government communicate to all departments that purchases using federal funds follow the procurement policy procedures prior to purchase and the procurement department provide training on the requirements to properly document that the procedures are completed. View of Responsible Official and Planned Corrective Actions: Departments have been informed of the procurement requirements and the procurement policy will be adhered to on a go forward basis.
2023-004 Procurement, Suspension, and Debarment Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Year of Finding Origination: 2023 Type of Finding: Internal Control Over Compliance and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency and Other Matter Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Program: 21.027 COVID-19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Award Number and Year: SLFRP1274, 2021 Pass-Through Agency: N/A – Federal Direct Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 200.303 states that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the auditee is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 200.318(i) states that the County must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of procurement. These records will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Additionally, the County must follow further federal guidance over full and open competition as provided in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 200.319, and perform a cost or price analysis as provided in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 200.324. Federal requirements prohibit non-federal entities from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 180.300 describes a required verification process. Prior to entering into the transaction, one of the following must be performed: (1) checking SAM.gov exclusions, (2) collecting a certification, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction. Condition: For two procurements tested above the micro-purchase threshold, documentation of the history of the procurement, providing full and open competition, and a cost or price analysis was not available. For the one covered transaction tested, the verification for suspended or debarred vendors was not performed before entering into the covered transaction. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Two of five contracts were tested for compliance with applicable federal regulations. Additionally, one covered transaction was subject to suspension and debarment. The sample size was based on guidance from Chapter 11 of the AICPA Audit Guide, Government Auditing Standards and Single Audits. Effect: It cannot be determined that the contracting process was open and fair because the County did not document the rationale for the contractor selection. It also cannot be determined that an entity was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from conducting business with the County. Cause: The County did not maintain the necessary documentation to allow the auditor to test for procurement and suspension and debarment. Recommendation: We recommend the County maintain documentation on the history of a procurement, provide for full and open competition, and perform a cost or price analysis to support compliance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations §§ 200.318, 200.319, and 200.324. We further recommend the County maintain documentation to demonstrate that vendors were not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from conducting business with the County; this documentation should be completed prior to entering into a covered transaction. View of Responsible Official: Concur
Finding 2023-002: Procurement US Department of the Treasury – COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) (ALN 21.027) Condition: The City could not provide evidence that the Axon contract totaling $651,922 for the year ended December 31, 2023 followed formal procurement procedures. The Axon contract exceeds the Uniform Guidance formal procurement threshold but was done through cooperative purchasing. In addition, in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, a purchase price from a cooperative purchasing program is considered to be only one competitive price proposal and it cannot replace a full procurement process. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements found in 2 CFR Part 200.318 through 200.327, the City is required to ensure that procurement methods used for purchases are appropriate based on the value of the procurement transaction. Cause: Procedures in place to ensure that the proper procurement process is followed were not adequate. The City relied upon vendors preapproved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s General Services Administration (GSA). These vendors were considered preapproved based on the Commonwealth’s own use of cooperative purchasing programs. Effect: The City was not in compliance with the procurement requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Repeat finding: No Questioned costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the City establish procedures to ensure that their purchasing policy follows all Uniform Guidance procurement standards, especially regarding cooperating purchasing programs. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees. See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2023-002: Procurement US Department of the Treasury – COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) (ALN 21.027) Condition: The City could not provide evidence that the Axon contract totaling $651,922 for the year ended December 31, 2023 followed formal procurement procedures. The Axon contract exceeds the Uniform Guidance formal procurement threshold but was done through cooperative purchasing. In addition, in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, a purchase price from a cooperative purchasing program is considered to be only one competitive price proposal and it cannot replace a full procurement process. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements found in 2 CFR Part 200.318 through 200.327, the City is required to ensure that procurement methods used for purchases are appropriate based on the value of the procurement transaction. Cause: Procedures in place to ensure that the proper procurement process is followed were not adequate. The City relied upon vendors preapproved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s General Services Administration (GSA). These vendors were considered preapproved based on the Commonwealth’s own use of cooperative purchasing programs. Effect: The City was not in compliance with the procurement requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Repeat finding: No Questioned costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the City establish procedures to ensure that their purchasing policy follows all Uniform Guidance procurement standards, especially regarding cooperating purchasing programs. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees. See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2023-002: Procurement US Department of the Treasury – COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) (ALN 21.027) Condition: The City could not provide evidence that the Axon contract totaling $651,922 for the year ended December 31, 2023 followed formal procurement procedures. The Axon contract exceeds the Uniform Guidance formal procurement threshold but was done through cooperative purchasing. In addition, in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, a purchase price from a cooperative purchasing program is considered to be only one competitive price proposal and it cannot replace a full procurement process. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements found in 2 CFR Part 200.318 through 200.327, the City is required to ensure that procurement methods used for purchases are appropriate based on the value of the procurement transaction. Cause: Procedures in place to ensure that the proper procurement process is followed were not adequate. The City relied upon vendors preapproved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s General Services Administration (GSA). These vendors were considered preapproved based on the Commonwealth’s own use of cooperative purchasing programs. Effect: The City was not in compliance with the procurement requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Repeat finding: No Questioned costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the City establish procedures to ensure that their purchasing policy follows all Uniform Guidance procurement standards, especially regarding cooperating purchasing programs. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees. See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2023-002: Procurement US Department of the Treasury – COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) (ALN 21.027) Condition: The City could not provide evidence that the Axon contract totaling $651,922 for the year ended December 31, 2023 followed formal procurement procedures. The Axon contract exceeds the Uniform Guidance formal procurement threshold but was done through cooperative purchasing. In addition, in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, a purchase price from a cooperative purchasing program is considered to be only one competitive price proposal and it cannot replace a full procurement process. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements found in 2 CFR Part 200.318 through 200.327, the City is required to ensure that procurement methods used for purchases are appropriate based on the value of the procurement transaction. Cause: Procedures in place to ensure that the proper procurement process is followed were not adequate. The City relied upon vendors preapproved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s General Services Administration (GSA). These vendors were considered preapproved based on the Commonwealth’s own use of cooperative purchasing programs. Effect: The City was not in compliance with the procurement requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Repeat finding: No Questioned costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the City establish procedures to ensure that their purchasing policy follows all Uniform Guidance procurement standards, especially regarding cooperating purchasing programs. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees. See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2023-002: Procurement US Department of the Treasury – COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) (ALN 21.027) Condition: The City could not provide evidence that the Axon contract totaling $651,922 for the year ended December 31, 2023 followed formal procurement procedures. The Axon contract exceeds the Uniform Guidance formal procurement threshold but was done through cooperative purchasing. In addition, in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, a purchase price from a cooperative purchasing program is considered to be only one competitive price proposal and it cannot replace a full procurement process. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements found in 2 CFR Part 200.318 through 200.327, the City is required to ensure that procurement methods used for purchases are appropriate based on the value of the procurement transaction. Cause: Procedures in place to ensure that the proper procurement process is followed were not adequate. The City relied upon vendors preapproved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s General Services Administration (GSA). These vendors were considered preapproved based on the Commonwealth’s own use of cooperative purchasing programs. Effect: The City was not in compliance with the procurement requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Repeat finding: No Questioned costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the City establish procedures to ensure that their purchasing policy follows all Uniform Guidance procurement standards, especially regarding cooperating purchasing programs. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees. See Corrective Action Plan.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Program Title: Formula Grants for Rural Area and Tribal Transit Program AL Number: 20.509 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: MN-2021-036-01 Pass-Through Agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation Pass-Through Number(s): 1051353 Award Period: 1/1/2023-12/31/2023 Type of Finding: • Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance Criteria or specific requirement: Non-federal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. Non-federal entities should also follow any state procurement requirements as well. Condition: During our testing we noted the Organization did not apply any procurement procedures for five small purchases and one competitive proposal as they did not perform nor retain adequate documentation in accordance with Uniform Guidance and state requirements. Questioned costs: Unknown Context: Six out of the six procurement selections did not have any procurement procedures followed for a total of $722,948. Cause: Vendors in place had been procured in prior years, before current management assumed operations. Current management was unable to verify if the policies were followed. Effect: Potential effect of noncompliance with Uniform Guidance when procuring goods and services for expenditures over federal awards. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: The Organization should review 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326 requirements for procurement. The Organization should ensure documents are retained to support whether procurement policies were followed for vendors procured in years past. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: There are no disagreements with the audit finding. The Organization will review the procurement standards as well as ensure documents are retained to support whether procurement policies were followed.
Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that District have written procurement policies in place that comply with 2 CFR Sections 200.318 – 300.327 when Procurement is applicable to a federal program. According to the compliance requirements matrix, Procurement is applicable to ALN #10.760. Condition: While testing the Procurement compliance requirement, we found that management had not adopted the required policies contained in 2 CFR Sections 200.318 – 300.327. We did not however find any evidence of material non compliance related to this requirement. Cause: Management has outsourced the procurement process to an engineering firm. While the firm has knowledge and experience regarding Uniform Guidance procurement, they do not develop policies for their clients. Effect: Internal controls surrounding Uniform Guidance are incomplete. Recommendation: Management should review 2 CFR Sections 200.138 – 300.327 and develop written policies that comply with the compliance requirements. Questioned Costs: None Management’s Response: Management will review their current procurement policies and make any necessary changes to update the policies to be compliant with 2 CFR Sections 200.138 – 300.327.
Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires that District have written procurement policies in place that comply with 2 CFR Sections 200.318 – 300.327 when Procurement is applicable to a federal program. According to the compliance requirements matrix, Procurement is applicable to ALN #10.760. Condition: While testing the Procurement compliance requirement, we found that management had not adopted the required policies contained in 2 CFR Sections 200.318 – 300.327. We did not however find any evidence of material non compliance related to this requirement. Cause: Management has outsourced the procurement process to an engineering firm. While the firm has knowledge and experience regarding Uniform Guidance procurement, they do not develop policies for their clients. Effect: Internal controls surrounding Uniform Guidance are incomplete. Recommendation: Management should review 2 CFR Sections 200.138 – 300.327 and develop written policies that comply with the compliance requirements. Questioned Costs: None Management’s Response: Management will review their current procurement policies and make any necessary changes to update the policies to be compliant with 2 CFR Sections 200.138 – 300.327.
Finding 2023-005 – Procurement Repeat Finding – See Finding 2022-007 US Department of the Treasury – COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) (ALN 21.027) Condition: The City could not provide evidence that the water main replacement project totaling $3,104,970 for the year ended December 31, 2023 followed formal procurement procedures. The water main replacement contract exceeds the Uniform Guidance formal procurement methods. In addition, in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, a purchase price from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania COSTARS cooperative purchasing program is considered to be only one competitive price proposal and it cannot replace a full procurement process. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements found in 2 CFR Part 200.318 through 200.327, the City is required to ensure that procurement methods used for purchases are appropriate based on the dollar amount of the purchase. Cause: Procedures in place to ensure that the proper procurement process is followed were not adequate. Effect: The City was not in compliance with the procurement requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding: Yes Questioned costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the City establish procedures to ensure that their purchasing policy follows Uniform Guidance procurement standards. View of Responsible Official: The City agrees. See the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-005 – Procurement Repeat Finding – See Finding 2022-007 US Department of the Treasury – COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) (ALN 21.027) Condition: The City could not provide evidence that the water main replacement project totaling $3,104,970 for the year ended December 31, 2023 followed formal procurement procedures. The water main replacement contract exceeds the Uniform Guidance formal procurement methods. In addition, in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, a purchase price from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania COSTARS cooperative purchasing program is considered to be only one competitive price proposal and it cannot replace a full procurement process. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements found in 2 CFR Part 200.318 through 200.327, the City is required to ensure that procurement methods used for purchases are appropriate based on the dollar amount of the purchase. Cause: Procedures in place to ensure that the proper procurement process is followed were not adequate. Effect: The City was not in compliance with the procurement requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding: Yes Questioned costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the City establish procedures to ensure that their purchasing policy follows Uniform Guidance procurement standards. View of Responsible Official: The City agrees. See the corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-005 – Procurement Repeat Finding – See Finding 2022-007 US Department of the Treasury – COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) (ALN 21.027) Condition: The City could not provide evidence that the water main replacement project totaling $3,104,970 for the year ended December 31, 2023 followed formal procurement procedures. The water main replacement contract exceeds the Uniform Guidance formal procurement methods. In addition, in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, a purchase price from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania COSTARS cooperative purchasing program is considered to be only one competitive price proposal and it cannot replace a full procurement process. Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance procurement requirements found in 2 CFR Part 200.318 through 200.327, the City is required to ensure that procurement methods used for purchases are appropriate based on the dollar amount of the purchase. Cause: Procedures in place to ensure that the proper procurement process is followed were not adequate. Effect: The City was not in compliance with the procurement requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Repeat Finding: Yes Questioned costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the City establish procedures to ensure that their purchasing policy follows Uniform Guidance procurement standards. View of Responsible Official: The City agrees. See the corrective action plan.