Finding Number: 2022-043 Prior Year Finding Number: 2021-038 Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Program: U.S. Department of the Treasury COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds ALN: 21.027 Award #: N/A Award Period: 03/03/2021 – 12/31/2024 Government Department/Agency: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Criteria – Recipients may use award funds to enter into contracts to procure goods and services necessary to implement one or more of the eligible purposes outlined in sections 602(c) and 603(c) of the Act and Treasury’s Interim Final Rule and Final Rule. As such, recipients are expected to have procurement policies and procedures in place that comply with the procurement standards outlined in the Uniform Guidance. Specifically, a state must follow the same policies and procedures it uses for procurements from its non-federal funds and comply with 2 CFR sections 200.321, 200.322, and 200.323. States must also ensure that every contract includes the applicable contract clauses required by 2 CFR section 200.327. Per Procurement Manual, User Agencies are required to submit a written justification letter to DPP, which was signed by the agency head, which explains the need for the services, the exception in title 31, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 23, section 239(a) being relied upon, the methodology for the selection process, and the rationale for selecting the prospective contractor. The letter must identify the funding source, and comply with all other requirements necessary for the acquisition of services under title 31, Virgin Islands Code, chapter 23, sections 239(a) (1), (2) or (3) whichever is applicable. The letter must contain an “approve/disapprove” block for the Commissioner of Property and Procurement. As such, please provide the justification letter for these three Task Order Contracts. Further, the Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303, Internal Controls, requires that non-federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to ensure compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition – The Government’s Department of Property and Procurement (DPP) is primarily responsible for procurement transactions. In our review of 9 out of 86 procurement transactions, we noted 3 transactions where there was no written justification letter for task order contracts. Further, internal controls over compliance do not appear to be operating effectively to ensure compliance with the procurement compliance requirements. Questioned Costs – None. Context – This is a condition identified per review of OMB’s compliance with the specified requirements using a statistically valid sample. Total amount of the procurement transactions was $17,487,469. Total amount of the samples was $5,699,575. The known amount of the exceptions is $3,530,516. Effect – OMB could inadvertently contract or make sub-awards to parties that are suspended or debarred from doing business with the Federal government as well as award contracts to vendors whose contract prices are unreasonable. In addition, contracts may be executed to unqualified vendors. Cause – OMB does not appear to have a process in place to adequately monitor and maintain completed contract files comprising of all supporting documents. Recommendation – We recommend that OMB and DPP improve internal controls to ensure adherence to federal regulations relating to the procurement of goods and services and review current records retention policies. There should be timely coordination and communication amongst all Government departments and/or agencies that are responsible for handling and managing procurement tasks. Views of Responsible Officials – The Government concurs with the auditor’s findings and recommendations. The Government updated its procurement laws and issued revised procurement manuals, along with issuing position-specific Standard Operating Procedures. Processes for enforcing Internal controls and adherence to procurement laws have been established and are regularly reinforced. In early 2025, the Government-wide training reinforced expectations for full and open competition. User Agencies now access GVIBUY for informal solicitations in the eProcurement system, with ongoing training to prioritize competition and enhance oversight by the Department of Property and Procurement. The planned corrective actions are presented in the Government’s Corrective Action Plan attached as Appendix B to the Single Audit Report.
Federal Program Information: Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Title: USDA School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program FAL Number: 10.553 and 10.555 Passthrough: New Mexico Public Education Department Award Year: 2022 Criteria: §200.213 Suspension and debarment. Non-federal entities are subject to the non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180. These regulations restrict awards, sub awards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. §200.317 Procurements by states. When procuring property and services under a Federal award, a state must follow the same policies and procedures it uses for procurements from its non-Federal funds. The state will comply with §200.322 Procurement of recovered materials and ensure that every purchase order or other contract includes any clauses required by section §200.326 Contract provisions. All other non-Federal entities, including sub recipients of a state, will follow §200.318 General procurement standards through 200.326 Contract provisions. §200.318 General procurement standards. (a) The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part. (b) Non-Federal entities must maintain oversight to ensure that contractors perform in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of their contracts or purchase orders. APPENDIX II TO PART 200—CONTRACT PROVISIONS FOR NON-FEDERAL ENTITY CONTRACTS UNDER FEDERAL AWARDS In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity, all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. (H) Debarment and Suspension (Executive Orders 12549 and 12689)—A contract award (see 2 CFR 180.220) must not be made to parties listed on the government-wide exclusions in the System for Award Management (SAM), in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR part 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR part 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ SAM Exclusions contains the names of parties debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded by agencies, as well as parties declared ineligible under statutory or regulatory authority other than Executive Order 12549. Condition: During our testing of single audit disbursements, we identified five vendors which would meet the requirement of verifying that the vendor was not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from receiving the contract which was funded through Federal dollars. The vendor received single payments in excess of $25,000 from the District from Federal grant sources. The vendors are not currently suspended or debarred from receiving Federal contracts; however, the District did not have proper internal controls in place to verify this prior to the purchase. Questioned Costs: None Cause: District personnel did not verify that vendors which meet the $25,000 thresholds are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from participating in contracts funded through Federal awards due to a misunderstanding of staff personnel regarding this requirement. Effect: The District is not in compliance with Federal regulations related to the grant and could put funding in jeopardy or require the District to reimburse the program for improper grant distributions.Auditor’s Recommendation: We recommend the District establish a policy and implement procedures regarding large purchases related to Federal grants to insure that no vendors who are suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from participating in transactions funded through Federal grants are used. As identified above, there are several methods in which the District can verify vendors are not suspended or debarred. The District may have the vendor provide an annual certification that it is not currently suspended, debarred, or otherwise prevented from receiving Federal dollars. In other occasions in which a single purchase is going to be made, the purchasing procedures should include looking up the vendor on the GSA website, printing a copy of the verification, and placing it in the file with the purchase order. The District has options, and it should establish what method is the least intrusive but also effective in complying with the requirements of the Uniform Grant Guidance. Responsible Official’s Plan: • Specific corrective action plan for finding: The Grants Finance Department, Purchasing Department along with the Federal Grants Department will review vendors that are issued requisitions at each approval level to assist in catching $25K or more for Suspension and Debarment. A printed document from SAM.GOV verifying eligibility to Requisitions over $25K should be attached. At initial setup of new vendors, the Purchasing Department will review vendors in SAM.GOV. A printed document from SAM.GOV verifying eligibility of vendor will be attached to the vendor file. • Timeline for completion of corrective action plan: July 1, 2023 • Employee position(s) responsible for meeting the timeline: Grants Specialists, CPO, Finance Specialist, Purchasing Specialist, Federal Grants Coordinator, Federal Grants Specialist
Finding 2022-004 Administration for Children and Families Federal Assistance Listing/CFDA #93.566, 2201SDRSSS, 10/01/2021 ? 9/30/2024 Refugee and Entrant Assistance ? State Administered Programs Subrecipient Monitoring Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. 2 CFR 200.322 identifies the requirements for all pass-through entities which include the following: A. Evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring, B. Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that the subaward performance goals are achieved. C. Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F ? Audit Requirements. Condition: The Organization could not provide support to substantiate a secondary review was completed over the evaluation of subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance. Cause: There was no documentation retained to support a secondary review was completed over the evaluation of subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance. Effect: Inadequate controls over this area of compliance including not retaining supporting documentation may make it difficult for the Organization to demonstrate the program is in compliance with laws, regulations, and other compliance requirements. Questioned Costs: None reported Context/Sampling: Only one subrecipient who received funds through this program was tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Years: Yes, prior year finding 2021-003 Recommendation: We recommend that management review the procedures and control processes over subrecipient monitoring to ensure a secondary review is formally documented related to the evaluation of subrecipient?s risk on noncompliance. View of Responsible Officials: Management is in agreement.
See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table 2022-004: Procurement (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: The Authority must design internal controls to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per 2 CFR 200.317, when procuring property and services under a Federal award, a State must follow the same policies and procedures it uses for procurements from its non-Federal funds. The State will comply with Sections 200.321, 200.322, and 200.323 and ensure that every purchase order or other contact includes any clauses required by Section 200.327. State means any state of the United States and any instrumentality thereof, which would include the Authority. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-102 requires that all recipients establish written procurement procedures. Condition/context: During the completion of the fiscal year 2021 audit, it was identified that the Authority did not have an internal control system in place to evaluate purchase requests for compliance with procurement requirements. In January 2022, the Authority rectified the deficiency and established a control system. However, proper controls were not in place for the first six months of the fiscal year under audit. For three out of seven vendors selected for testing with purchases greater than the Authority?s $10,000 procurement threshold, we determined that the Authority had failed to properly document the procurement of goods and services as required by 2 CFR 200.317 and OMB Circular A-102. However, per our conversations with Authority personnel, each of the three purchases met a requirement for noncompetitive (sole source) procurement as provided for under Section 200.320 of the Uniform Guidance. Cause: The Authority was not aware of the procurement requirements and had not documented its reasons for noncompetitive procurement. Effect: If an entity fails to comply with Federal statutes, regulations, or the terms and conditions of a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may impose additional conditions. If the Federal awarding agency determines that noncompliance cannot be remedied by imposing additional conditions, the Federal awarding agency may take one or more of the following actions, as appropriate in the circumstances: (a) Temporarily withhold cash payments pending correction of the deficiency by the non-Federal entity or more severe enforcement action by the Federal awarding agency. (b) Disallow (that is, deny both use of funds and any applicable matching credit for) all or part of the cost of the activity or action not in compliance. (c) Wholly or partly suspend or terminate the Federal award. (d) Initiate suspension or debarment proceedings. (e) Withhold further Federal awards for the project or program. (f) Take other remedies that may be legally available. Questioned costs: $0 Identification as a repeat finding: Yes; see prior-year finding 2021-002. Recommendation: As the Authority has implemented a control system that evaluates all purchase requests for goods and services for compliance with the Federal procurement requirements, we recommend continued compliance with the established control system. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management concurs with the finding. See Exhibit I.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Financial Assistance Listing: 21.027 Program Name: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance Requirement: Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Instance of Non-compliance Criteria: General procurement standards 2 CFR 200.318 require the non-Federal entity to use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and standards identified in this part. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.326. Prior to entering into subawards and contracts with award funds, recipients must verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded pursuant to 2 CFR section 200.214. Condition: The following required procurement standards were not addressed in the City's policy: ? Conflict of interest, including disciplinary actions for failure to adhere (2 CFR 200.318) ? Avoid acquisition of duplicative items (2 CFR 200.318) ? Cost effective purchasing (2 CFR 200.318) ? Document retention (2 CFR 200.318) ? Provisions to ensure all solicitations (2 CFR 200.319): Incorporate clear and accurate descriptions of technical requirements, do not restrict competition, and identify all requirements which the offerors must fulfill and factors used in evaluation ? Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program (2 CFR 200.321) ? Recovered materials, if subject to EPA requirements (2 CFR 200.322) ? Contract price/types (2 CFR 200.323) ? Bonding requirements (2 CFR 200.325) ? Contract provisions (2 CFR 200.326) Additionally, we identified 3 instances in which the City did not verify the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded before entering into a covered transaction rather, verification was performed after entering into the transaction. The City asserted that they verified the vendors were not suspended or debarred; however, no documentation of the procedure being performed prior to entering into the transaction was presented. Cause: The City?s did not ensure it?s written procedures identified all of the required federal procurement standards. Additionally, the City?s controls did not ensure the check for suspension and debarment was performed and documented prior to entering into covered transactions. Effect: The City?s documented procurement procedures do not conform to the procurement standards identified in 2 CFR sections 200. 318, 200.319, and 200.321 through 200.326. Additionally, the City did not comply with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.214. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context/Sampling: The condition noted above was identified during our procedures related to procurement, suspension, and debarment. A non-statistical sample of 4 expenditures out of a population of 12 vendors were selected for testing as a whole. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No. Recommendation: We recommend the City modify and strengthen its policies and procedures to ensure that the required Uniform Guidance standards are addressed. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees. See separately issued Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2022-011 - Noncompliance Over Procurement and Suspension and Debarment – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds PASS THROUGH GRANTOR: Direct Grant FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.027 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) FEDERAL AWARD NUMBER: SLFRP3720 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2022 CONTROL CATEGORY: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment QUESTIONED COSTS: $203,000 Condition: During our review of the disbursement data from Muskogee County regarding procurement and suspension and debarment as per the Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327, we identified the following: • One (1) ambulance was purchased in the amount of $203,000 for the Muskogee County EMS. There were no bids or quotes provide by the County or found in the BOCC meeting minutes supporting expenditure documentation. • There were six (6) vendors, in which the County did not check the www.SAM.gov website to review if the vendor had been suspended or debarred for those disbursements that warranted a bid, on the 6-month bid list, or received quotes. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure compliance of expenditures for all federal awards. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in noncompliance to grant requirements and could lead to a loss of federal funds to the County. Recommendation: OSAI recommends county officials and department heads gain an understanding of federal programs awarded to Muskogee County. Internal control procedures should be designed and implemented to ensure accurate procurement and suspension and debarment and to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Management Response: Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners: Muskogee County has hired an internal grant administrator to assist in keeping the county compliant with all local, state, and federal requirements. Efforts will be made going forward to ensure that all grant funds are properly expended. This includes that all expenditures are properly documented and that all vendors are federally eligible to perform services. Criteria: 2 CFR § 200.317 through 200.327 General Procurement Standards reads as follows: When procuring property and services under a Federal award, a State must follow the same policies and procedures it uses for procurements from its non-Federal funds. The State will comply with §§ 200.321, 200.322, and 200.323 and ensure that every purchase order or other contract includes any clauses required by § 200.327. All other non-Federal entities, including subrecipients of a State, must follow the procurement standards in §§ 200.318 through 200.327. 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. (b) Non-Federal entities must maintain oversight to ensure that contractors perform in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of their contracts or purchase orders. 2 CFR 180.700 – 180.760 Suspension and 2 CFR 180.800 – 180.885 Debarment Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. “Covered transactions” include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215.
Federal Program Information: Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Title: USDA School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program FAL Number: 10.553 and 10.555 Passthrough: New Mexico Public Education Department Award Year: 2022 Criteria: §200.213 Suspension and debarment. Non-federal entities are subject to the non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180. These regulations restrict awards, sub awards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. §200.317 Procurements by states. When procuring property and services under a Federal award, a state must follow the same policies and procedures it uses for procurements from its non-Federal funds. The state will comply with §200.322 Procurement of recovered materials and ensure that every purchase order or other contract includes any clauses required by section §200.326 Contract provisions. All other non-Federal entities, including sub recipients of a state, will follow §200.318 General procurement standards through 200.326 Contract provisions. §200.318 General procurement standards. (a) The non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in this part. (b) Non-Federal entities must maintain oversight to ensure that contractors perform in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of their contracts or purchase orders. APPENDIX II TO PART 200—CONTRACT PROVISIONS FOR NON-FEDERAL ENTITY CONTRACTS UNDER FEDERAL AWARDS In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity, all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. (H) Debarment and Suspension (Executive Orders 12549 and 12689)—A contract award (see 2 CFR 180.220) must not be made to parties listed on the government-wide exclusions in the System for Award Management (SAM), in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR part 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR part 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ SAM Exclusions contains the names of parties debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded by agencies, as well as parties declared ineligible under statutory or regulatory authority other than Executive Order 12549. Condition: During our testing of single audit disbursements, we identified five vendors which would meet the requirement of verifying that the vendor was not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from receiving the contract which was funded through Federal dollars. The vendor received single payments in excess of $25,000 from the District from Federal grant sources. The vendors are not currently suspended or debarred from receiving Federal contracts; however, the District did not have proper internal controls in place to verify this prior to the purchase. Questioned Costs: None Cause: District personnel did not verify that vendors which meet the $25,000 thresholds are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from participating in contracts funded through Federal awards due to a misunderstanding of staff personnel regarding this requirement. Effect: The District is not in compliance with Federal regulations related to the grant and could put funding in jeopardy or require the District to reimburse the program for improper grant distributions.Auditor’s Recommendation: We recommend the District establish a policy and implement procedures regarding large purchases related to Federal grants to insure that no vendors who are suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from participating in transactions funded through Federal grants are used. As identified above, there are several methods in which the District can verify vendors are not suspended or debarred. The District may have the vendor provide an annual certification that it is not currently suspended, debarred, or otherwise prevented from receiving Federal dollars. In other occasions in which a single purchase is going to be made, the purchasing procedures should include looking up the vendor on the GSA website, printing a copy of the verification, and placing it in the file with the purchase order. The District has options, and it should establish what method is the least intrusive but also effective in complying with the requirements of the Uniform Grant Guidance. Responsible Official’s Plan: • Specific corrective action plan for finding: The Grants Finance Department, Purchasing Department along with the Federal Grants Department will review vendors that are issued requisitions at each approval level to assist in catching $25K or more for Suspension and Debarment. A printed document from SAM.GOV verifying eligibility to Requisitions over $25K should be attached. At initial setup of new vendors, the Purchasing Department will review vendors in SAM.GOV. A printed document from SAM.GOV verifying eligibility of vendor will be attached to the vendor file. • Timeline for completion of corrective action plan: July 1, 2023 • Employee position(s) responsible for meeting the timeline: Grants Specialists, CPO, Finance Specialist, Purchasing Specialist, Federal Grants Coordinator, Federal Grants Specialist
Finding 2022-004 Administration for Children and Families Federal Assistance Listing/CFDA #93.566, 2201SDRSSS, 10/01/2021 ? 9/30/2024 Refugee and Entrant Assistance ? State Administered Programs Subrecipient Monitoring Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. 2 CFR 200.322 identifies the requirements for all pass-through entities which include the following: A. Evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring, B. Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that the subaward performance goals are achieved. C. Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F ? Audit Requirements. Condition: The Organization could not provide support to substantiate a secondary review was completed over the evaluation of subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance. Cause: There was no documentation retained to support a secondary review was completed over the evaluation of subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance. Effect: Inadequate controls over this area of compliance including not retaining supporting documentation may make it difficult for the Organization to demonstrate the program is in compliance with laws, regulations, and other compliance requirements. Questioned Costs: None reported Context/Sampling: Only one subrecipient who received funds through this program was tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Years: Yes, prior year finding 2021-003 Recommendation: We recommend that management review the procedures and control processes over subrecipient monitoring to ensure a secondary review is formally documented related to the evaluation of subrecipient?s risk on noncompliance. View of Responsible Officials: Management is in agreement.
See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table 2022-004: Procurement (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: The Authority must design internal controls to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Per 2 CFR 200.317, when procuring property and services under a Federal award, a State must follow the same policies and procedures it uses for procurements from its non-Federal funds. The State will comply with Sections 200.321, 200.322, and 200.323 and ensure that every purchase order or other contact includes any clauses required by Section 200.327. State means any state of the United States and any instrumentality thereof, which would include the Authority. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-102 requires that all recipients establish written procurement procedures. Condition/context: During the completion of the fiscal year 2021 audit, it was identified that the Authority did not have an internal control system in place to evaluate purchase requests for compliance with procurement requirements. In January 2022, the Authority rectified the deficiency and established a control system. However, proper controls were not in place for the first six months of the fiscal year under audit. For three out of seven vendors selected for testing with purchases greater than the Authority?s $10,000 procurement threshold, we determined that the Authority had failed to properly document the procurement of goods and services as required by 2 CFR 200.317 and OMB Circular A-102. However, per our conversations with Authority personnel, each of the three purchases met a requirement for noncompetitive (sole source) procurement as provided for under Section 200.320 of the Uniform Guidance. Cause: The Authority was not aware of the procurement requirements and had not documented its reasons for noncompetitive procurement. Effect: If an entity fails to comply with Federal statutes, regulations, or the terms and conditions of a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may impose additional conditions. If the Federal awarding agency determines that noncompliance cannot be remedied by imposing additional conditions, the Federal awarding agency may take one or more of the following actions, as appropriate in the circumstances: (a) Temporarily withhold cash payments pending correction of the deficiency by the non-Federal entity or more severe enforcement action by the Federal awarding agency. (b) Disallow (that is, deny both use of funds and any applicable matching credit for) all or part of the cost of the activity or action not in compliance. (c) Wholly or partly suspend or terminate the Federal award. (d) Initiate suspension or debarment proceedings. (e) Withhold further Federal awards for the project or program. (f) Take other remedies that may be legally available. Questioned costs: $0 Identification as a repeat finding: Yes; see prior-year finding 2021-002. Recommendation: As the Authority has implemented a control system that evaluates all purchase requests for goods and services for compliance with the Federal procurement requirements, we recommend continued compliance with the established control system. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management concurs with the finding. See Exhibit I.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Financial Assistance Listing: 21.027 Program Name: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance Requirement: Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Instance of Non-compliance Criteria: General procurement standards 2 CFR 200.318 require the non-Federal entity to use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable State, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and standards identified in this part. The non-Federal entity's documented procurement procedures must conform to the procurement standards identified in 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.326. Prior to entering into subawards and contracts with award funds, recipients must verify that such contractors and subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded pursuant to 2 CFR section 200.214. Condition: The following required procurement standards were not addressed in the City's policy: ? Conflict of interest, including disciplinary actions for failure to adhere (2 CFR 200.318) ? Avoid acquisition of duplicative items (2 CFR 200.318) ? Cost effective purchasing (2 CFR 200.318) ? Document retention (2 CFR 200.318) ? Provisions to ensure all solicitations (2 CFR 200.319): Incorporate clear and accurate descriptions of technical requirements, do not restrict competition, and identify all requirements which the offerors must fulfill and factors used in evaluation ? Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program (2 CFR 200.321) ? Recovered materials, if subject to EPA requirements (2 CFR 200.322) ? Contract price/types (2 CFR 200.323) ? Bonding requirements (2 CFR 200.325) ? Contract provisions (2 CFR 200.326) Additionally, we identified 3 instances in which the City did not verify the vendor was not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded before entering into a covered transaction rather, verification was performed after entering into the transaction. The City asserted that they verified the vendors were not suspended or debarred; however, no documentation of the procedure being performed prior to entering into the transaction was presented. Cause: The City?s did not ensure it?s written procedures identified all of the required federal procurement standards. Additionally, the City?s controls did not ensure the check for suspension and debarment was performed and documented prior to entering into covered transactions. Effect: The City?s documented procurement procedures do not conform to the procurement standards identified in 2 CFR sections 200. 318, 200.319, and 200.321 through 200.326. Additionally, the City did not comply with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.214. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context/Sampling: The condition noted above was identified during our procedures related to procurement, suspension, and debarment. A non-statistical sample of 4 expenditures out of a population of 12 vendors were selected for testing as a whole. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No. Recommendation: We recommend the City modify and strengthen its policies and procedures to ensure that the required Uniform Guidance standards are addressed. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees. See separately issued Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2022-011 - Noncompliance Over Procurement and Suspension and Debarment – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds PASS THROUGH GRANTOR: Direct Grant FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.027 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) FEDERAL AWARD NUMBER: SLFRP3720 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2022 CONTROL CATEGORY: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment QUESTIONED COSTS: $203,000 Condition: During our review of the disbursement data from Muskogee County regarding procurement and suspension and debarment as per the Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327, we identified the following: • One (1) ambulance was purchased in the amount of $203,000 for the Muskogee County EMS. There were no bids or quotes provide by the County or found in the BOCC meeting minutes supporting expenditure documentation. • There were six (6) vendors, in which the County did not check the www.SAM.gov website to review if the vendor had been suspended or debarred for those disbursements that warranted a bid, on the 6-month bid list, or received quotes. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure compliance of expenditures for all federal awards. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in noncompliance to grant requirements and could lead to a loss of federal funds to the County. Recommendation: OSAI recommends county officials and department heads gain an understanding of federal programs awarded to Muskogee County. Internal control procedures should be designed and implemented to ensure accurate procurement and suspension and debarment and to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Management Response: Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners: Muskogee County has hired an internal grant administrator to assist in keeping the county compliant with all local, state, and federal requirements. Efforts will be made going forward to ensure that all grant funds are properly expended. This includes that all expenditures are properly documented and that all vendors are federally eligible to perform services. Criteria: 2 CFR § 200.317 through 200.327 General Procurement Standards reads as follows: When procuring property and services under a Federal award, a State must follow the same policies and procedures it uses for procurements from its non-Federal funds. The State will comply with §§ 200.321, 200.322, and 200.323 and ensure that every purchase order or other contract includes any clauses required by § 200.327. All other non-Federal entities, including subrecipients of a State, must follow the procurement standards in §§ 200.318 through 200.327. 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. (b) Non-Federal entities must maintain oversight to ensure that contractors perform in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of their contracts or purchase orders. 2 CFR 180.700 – 180.760 Suspension and 2 CFR 180.800 – 180.885 Debarment Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. “Covered transactions” include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215.