Finding Reference Number: 2022-008 NH Governor?s Office of Emergency Relief and Recovery COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (Assistance Listing #21.027) Federal Award Numbers: SLFRP0145 Federal Award Year: 2021 U.S. Department of Treasury Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency Prior Year Finding: None Statistically Valid Sample: No Criteria A pass-through entity must: 1. Clearly identify to the subrecipient required award information and applicable requirements described in 2 CFR section 200.332(a); 2. Evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for the purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward (2 CFR section 300.332(b)); 3. Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to federal award provided to the subrecipient from the subrecipient as required by 2 CFR section 200.521. Additionally, per 2 CFR section 200.303, non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards that provide 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. Condition As part of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program, the State of New Hampshire (the State) entered into grant agreements with local entities to support allowable activities under the federal program. During the year ended June 30, 2022, the State passed through $2,108,597 to subrecipients. As part of our testwork over the subrecipient monitoring process, we noted the following breakdown of internal controls: A. The State communicates award information to subrecipients through the approved grant agreement. Per review of the grant agreement, for 5 of the 10 subrecipients selected for testwork, the State did not communicate all the required award information as outlined in 2 CFR section 200.332. Specifically, the following elements were not communicated: a. Indirect cost rate for federal awards (including if the deminimus rate is charged per 2 CFR section 200.414) was not communicated for 5 of 10 subrecipients selected for testwork. b. Identification of whether the award is R&D was not communicated for 3 of 10 subrecipients selected for testwork. A. For 2 of 10 subrecipients selected for testwork, there was no documented risk assessment performed over the subrecipient. The State indicated that they had previous experience with these 2 subrecipients and based upon the previous relationship a formal risk assessment was not necessary. As part of our audit, we inquired as to whether a risk assessment was performed in connection with other federal awards that were granted to these entities, but a risk assessment was not able to be provided. While a risk assessment was not performed, we noted that for all each of these 2 subrecipients that the State performed during the award monitoring procedures. B. The State did not appear to have policies and procedures in place to determine if a subrecipient had a Uniform Guidance report if the amount awarded to the subrecipient under this program was under the audit threshold of $750,000. Based on our independent review of uniform guidance submissions within the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, none of the 10 subrecipients selected for testwork had a submitted uniform guidance report, and as such, a management decision letter would not have been required to be submitted for the each of the 10 subrecipients. Cause The cause of the condition found is primarily due to insufficient internal controls and procedures to ensure that award identification information is properly communicated, that risk assessments are performed to ensure sufficient during the awarded monitoring is performed and that all subrecipients are reviewed to determine if a uniform guidance audit was issued regardless of amount awarded to the subrecipient. Given the nature of this program, several Departments within the State entered into subrecipient grants resulting in a decentralized process. Not all Departments within the State are experienced with subrecipient relationships and may not have had developed policies to comply with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Effect The effect of the condition found is that the State did not have sufficient internal controls in place in accordance with 2 CFR section 200.303(a)) and 200.332.(a). In addition, subrecipients could have had a uniform guidance report issued in which a management decision letter needed to be issued but as the Department does not evaluate this for subrecipient?s that were not granted more than $750,000, they would not be able to recognize the need for a management decision letter timely. Questioned Costs None. Recommendation We recommend that the State review its existing internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure that the State complies with the provisions of 2 CFR section 200.332(a), 2 CFR section 200.332(b), and 2 CFR section 200.251. This would include ensuring that: 1. All required award information is communicated to subrecipients; 2. Documented risk assessments are performed over all subrecipients; and 3. All subrecipients are reviewed regardless of amount awarded to determine if a uniform guidance report was issued and if a management decision letter should be issued. View of Responsible Officials The State largely concurs with the findings and recommendations and has either implemented procedures to address the identified conditions already or will do so. With regard to condition A(a) and (b), although the State illustrated that it includes clauses related to allowed costs in its subawards, including direct and indirect costs, it will work to ensure that agencies entering into such agreements clearly indicate the terms required by Uniform Guidance, including permitted indirect cost rates and whether the award is for R&D. With regard to condition B, the State agrees that risk assessments should have been completed and has since implemented a framework to help ensure that agencies are more consistently conducting and documenting subrecipient risk assessments. With regard to condition C, the State concurs and has already implemented an agency-wide framework to help ensure procedures and policies are in place concerning Uniform Guidance Report review and the issuance of any necessary management decision letters, to the extent required. It is worth noting that the State in most cases has timely conducted risk assessments of subrecipients and reviewed relevant Uniform Guidance Reports, but its corrective actions will result in better documentation and more consistent and timelier follow through. Anticipated Completion Date: The corrective actions indicated above relative to conditions B and C have already been implemented as of the date of this response. The State will work to address Condition A before the end of the current Fiscal Year. Contact Person: Chase Hagaman and Steve Giovinelli
Finding Reference Number: 2022-018 NH Department of Health and Human Services Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) and COVID-19 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) (Assistance Listing #93.323) Federal Award Numbers: NUK50CK000522 Federal Award Year: 2019 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance Prior Year Finding: 2021-021 Statistically Valid Sample: No Criteria A pass-through entity (PTE) must: 1. Identify the Award and Applicable Requirements ? Clearly identify to the subrecipient: (1) the award as a subaward at the time of subaward (or subsequent subaward modification) by providing the information described in 2 CFR section 200.332(a)(1); (2) all requirements imposed by the PTE on the subrecipient so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award (2 CFR section 200.332(a)(2)); and (3) any additional requirements that the PTE imposes on the subrecipient in order for the PTE to meet its own responsibility for the federal award (e.g., financial, performance, and special reports) (2 CFR section 200.332(a)(3)). 2. Evaluate Risk ? Evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward (2 CFR section 200.332(b)). 3. Monitor ? Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals (2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f)). In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required by the terms and conditions of the award, subaward monitoring must include the following: a. Reviewing financial and programmatic (performance and special reports) required by the PTE. b. Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the PTE detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means. c. Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the PTE as required by 2 CFR section 200.521. 4. Ensure Accountability of For-Profit Subrecipients ? Some federal awards may be passed through to for-profit entities. For-profit subrecipients are accountable to the PTE for the use of the federal funds provided. Because 2 CFR Part 200 does not make Subpart F applicable to for-profit subrecipients, the PTE is responsible for establishing requirements, as necessary, to ensure compliance by for-profit subrecipients for the subaward. The agreement with the for-profit subrecipient must describe applicable compliance requirements and the for-profit subrecipient's compliance responsibility. Methods to ensure compliance for federal awards made to for-profit subrecipients may include pre-award audits, monitoring during the agreement, and post-award audits (2 CFR section 200.501(h)). Additionally, 45 CFR section 75 303(a) states the non Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award Condition During the year ended June 30, 2022, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) passed through $5,070,789 of federal funding to 56 subrecipients, both for-profit and non-profit. As part of our testing related subrecipient monitoring, we noted the following: A. The Department communicates award information to subrecipients through the approved agreement. Per review of the agreement, for 14 of 14 subrecipients selected for testwork, the Department did not communicate all the required award information as outlined in 2 CFR section 200.332(a). Specifically, one or all of the following elements were not communicated: - Subrecipient unique entity identifier; - Federal award date; - Name of the federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for the awarding official of the pass-through entity; - Identification of whether the award is R&D; and - Indirect cost rate for the federal award B. The Department was unable to provide documentation to support it had evaluated subrecipient risk of noncompliance for all subrecipients for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to subawards. C. The Department did not perform any during the award monitoring over the programs subrecipients. D. The Department passed through federal funding to for-profit subrecipients. These subrecipients are not subject to 2 CFR 200 Subpart F and as such, no review over the uniform guidance audit report is performed by the Department. The Department was unable to provide documentation to support it had performed procedures to ensure compliance with the subrecipient agreement in accordance with 2 CFR section 200.501(h). Cause The cause of the condition found was primarily due to a lack of formal policies and internal controls to ensure that all required subrecipient monitoring compliance procedures are being performed by the Department. Effect The effect of the condition found is that the Department did not comply with 2 CFR section 200.332(a - h) and 2 CFR section 200.501(h). Questioned Costs None. Recommendation We recommend the Department develop policies and procedures and implement internal controls to ensure that the Department complies with 2 CFR section 200.332(a-h) and 2 CFR section 200.501(h). View of Responsible Officials The Department will review its Sub-recipient Monitoring Policy and assess compliance across the Department. It is important to note that between April 2020 and June 2022 the Department was involved in the State?s strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, New Hampshire was under a state of emergency (Executive Order 2020-04), processes were rapidly converted to fully digital overnight, the State?s standard approval processes were suspended and non-standard templates were utilized to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department worked with other State Departments and the National Guard to create a record number of amendments, contracts, and other agreements (approximately 200% more than standard). The Department is in the process of instituting a new contract life cycle management solution that will utilize conditional logic to include the required notifications for agreements involving federal funds in order to ensure compliance. Implementation is anticipated to be complete in July 2023. As the COVID-19 pandemic strategic response has wound down, the Department has not suspended its regular standard approval or subrecipient risk assessment and monitoring processes and has not used non-standard templates to award federal funding. The Financial Compliance Unit (FCU) will continue to work with the Business System Analyst of the Cost Allocation Unit in determining the amount of Federal payments made to the vendors. The FCU receives a vendor payment list on a quarterly basis that includes the total amount of Federal funds that were paid to all contracted agencies. We will continue to closely monitor the FAC to obtain all copies of the Single Audits pertaining to the DHHS agencies. In addition, we will devise a spreadsheet that will list all contracts that have been awarded Federal funds and cross check these agencies to vendor payment list. The DHHS updated the policy on risk assessment on November 16, 2020 to ensure that all contracts have a risk assessment performed regardless of funding source. We also have added verbiage in the contracts effective for contracts that begin after November 2021. It states any Contractor that receives an amount equal to or greater than $250,000 from the Department during a single fiscal year, regardless of the funding source, may be required, at a minimum, to submit annual financial audits performed by an independent CPA if the Department?s risk assessment determination indicates the Contractor is high-risk. Finally, effective for any new procurement subsequent to March 2022, all back-up documentation must accompany the invoices and be submitted on a monthly basis. Anticipated Completion Date: July 2023 Contact Person: Melissa Kelleher, Grants Administrator, Ann Driscoll, Financial Compliance Unit
Finding Reference Number: 2022-018 NH Department of Health and Human Services Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) and COVID-19 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) (Assistance Listing #93.323) Federal Award Numbers: NUK50CK000522 Federal Award Year: 2019 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance Prior Year Finding: 2021-021 Statistically Valid Sample: No Criteria A pass-through entity (PTE) must: 1. Identify the Award and Applicable Requirements ? Clearly identify to the subrecipient: (1) the award as a subaward at the time of subaward (or subsequent subaward modification) by providing the information described in 2 CFR section 200.332(a)(1); (2) all requirements imposed by the PTE on the subrecipient so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award (2 CFR section 200.332(a)(2)); and (3) any additional requirements that the PTE imposes on the subrecipient in order for the PTE to meet its own responsibility for the federal award (e.g., financial, performance, and special reports) (2 CFR section 200.332(a)(3)). 2. Evaluate Risk ? Evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward (2 CFR section 200.332(b)). 3. Monitor ? Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals (2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f)). In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required by the terms and conditions of the award, subaward monitoring must include the following: a. Reviewing financial and programmatic (performance and special reports) required by the PTE. b. Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the PTE detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means. c. Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the PTE as required by 2 CFR section 200.521. 4. Ensure Accountability of For-Profit Subrecipients ? Some federal awards may be passed through to for-profit entities. For-profit subrecipients are accountable to the PTE for the use of the federal funds provided. Because 2 CFR Part 200 does not make Subpart F applicable to for-profit subrecipients, the PTE is responsible for establishing requirements, as necessary, to ensure compliance by for-profit subrecipients for the subaward. The agreement with the for-profit subrecipient must describe applicable compliance requirements and the for-profit subrecipient's compliance responsibility. Methods to ensure compliance for federal awards made to for-profit subrecipients may include pre-award audits, monitoring during the agreement, and post-award audits (2 CFR section 200.501(h)). Additionally, 45 CFR section 75 303(a) states the non Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award Condition During the year ended June 30, 2022, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) passed through $5,070,789 of federal funding to 56 subrecipients, both for-profit and non-profit. As part of our testing related subrecipient monitoring, we noted the following: A. The Department communicates award information to subrecipients through the approved agreement. Per review of the agreement, for 14 of 14 subrecipients selected for testwork, the Department did not communicate all the required award information as outlined in 2 CFR section 200.332(a). Specifically, one or all of the following elements were not communicated: - Subrecipient unique entity identifier; - Federal award date; - Name of the federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for the awarding official of the pass-through entity; - Identification of whether the award is R&D; and - Indirect cost rate for the federal award B. The Department was unable to provide documentation to support it had evaluated subrecipient risk of noncompliance for all subrecipients for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to subawards. C. The Department did not perform any during the award monitoring over the programs subrecipients. D. The Department passed through federal funding to for-profit subrecipients. These subrecipients are not subject to 2 CFR 200 Subpart F and as such, no review over the uniform guidance audit report is performed by the Department. The Department was unable to provide documentation to support it had performed procedures to ensure compliance with the subrecipient agreement in accordance with 2 CFR section 200.501(h). Cause The cause of the condition found was primarily due to a lack of formal policies and internal controls to ensure that all required subrecipient monitoring compliance procedures are being performed by the Department. Effect The effect of the condition found is that the Department did not comply with 2 CFR section 200.332(a - h) and 2 CFR section 200.501(h). Questioned Costs None. Recommendation We recommend the Department develop policies and procedures and implement internal controls to ensure that the Department complies with 2 CFR section 200.332(a-h) and 2 CFR section 200.501(h). View of Responsible Officials The Department will review its Sub-recipient Monitoring Policy and assess compliance across the Department. It is important to note that between April 2020 and June 2022 the Department was involved in the State?s strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, New Hampshire was under a state of emergency (Executive Order 2020-04), processes were rapidly converted to fully digital overnight, the State?s standard approval processes were suspended and non-standard templates were utilized to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department worked with other State Departments and the National Guard to create a record number of amendments, contracts, and other agreements (approximately 200% more than standard). The Department is in the process of instituting a new contract life cycle management solution that will utilize conditional logic to include the required notifications for agreements involving federal funds in order to ensure compliance. Implementation is anticipated to be complete in July 2023. As the COVID-19 pandemic strategic response has wound down, the Department has not suspended its regular standard approval or subrecipient risk assessment and monitoring processes and has not used non-standard templates to award federal funding. The Financial Compliance Unit (FCU) will continue to work with the Business System Analyst of the Cost Allocation Unit in determining the amount of Federal payments made to the vendors. The FCU receives a vendor payment list on a quarterly basis that includes the total amount of Federal funds that were paid to all contracted agencies. We will continue to closely monitor the FAC to obtain all copies of the Single Audits pertaining to the DHHS agencies. In addition, we will devise a spreadsheet that will list all contracts that have been awarded Federal funds and cross check these agencies to vendor payment list. The DHHS updated the policy on risk assessment on November 16, 2020 to ensure that all contracts have a risk assessment performed regardless of funding source. We also have added verbiage in the contracts effective for contracts that begin after November 2021. It states any Contractor that receives an amount equal to or greater than $250,000 from the Department during a single fiscal year, regardless of the funding source, may be required, at a minimum, to submit annual financial audits performed by an independent CPA if the Department?s risk assessment determination indicates the Contractor is high-risk. Finally, effective for any new procurement subsequent to March 2022, all back-up documentation must accompany the invoices and be submitted on a monthly basis. Anticipated Completion Date: July 2023 Contact Person: Melissa Kelleher, Grants Administrator, Ann Driscoll, Financial Compliance Unit
Finding Reference Number: 2022-021 NH Department of Health and Human Services Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and COVID-19 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Assistance Listing #93.558) Federal Award Numbers: 2021G996115, 2021G990228, 2022G996115 Federal Award Year: 2021, 2022 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance Prior Year Finding: NA Statistically Valid Sample: No Criteria5 A pass-through entity must: 1. Clearly identify to the subrecipient required award information and applicable requirements described in 2 CFR section 200.332(a); 2. Evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for the purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward (2 CFR section 300.332(b)); 3. Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals (2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f). In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required through the terms and conditions of the award, subaward monitoring must include following up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means; and 4. Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to federal award provided to the subrecipient from the subrecipient as required by 2 CFR section 200.521. Additionally, per 2 CFR section 200.303, non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards that provide 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. Condition As part of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF), the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) enters into grant agreements with local entities to provide services to support eligible participants. During the year ended June 30, 2022, the Department passed through $3,307,974 to subrecipients. As part of our testwork over the subrecipient monitoring process, we noted the following: A. For 1 of 7 subrecipients selected for testwork, per review of the grant agreement, we noted that the agreement did not contain any funding to be paid under the TANF program and should not have been identified as a TANF subrecipient. The total amount paid to the entity was $13,530. B. The Department communicates award information to subrecipients through the approved grant agreement. Per review of the grant agreement, for 4 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork, the Department did not communicate all the required award information as outlined in 2 CFR section 200.332. Specifically, the following elements were not communicated: a. The subrecipient?s unique identifier was not communicated for 1 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork b. Indirect cost rate for federal awards (including if the deminimus rate is charged per 2 CFR section 200.414) was not communicated for 2 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork c. Identification of whether the award is R&D was not communicated for 4 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork. C. The Department did not perform a risk assessment for all subrecipients selected for testwork. As a result, it is unclear if any additional targeted subrecipient monitoring should have been performed. D. For 1 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork, there was no evidence that a programmatic monitoring review was completed for the subrecipient as required by their subrecipient monitoring policy. As there was no risk assessment performed for the subrecipient, it was unclear as to whether a programmatic monitoring visit should have been performed. Cause The cause of the condition found is primarily due to insufficient internal controls and procedures to ensure that federal reimbursement of expenditures are only disbursed to entities that have an approved subrecipient grant agreement. In addition, there are insufficient internal controls and procedures to ensure that award identification information is properly communicated with grant agreements and that risk assessments are performed to ensure sufficient during the awarded monitoring is performed over all subrecipients. Effect The effect of the condition found is that the Department did not comply with 2 CFR section 200.332(a), section 200.332(b), CFR section 200.521 and 2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f). Questioned Costs $13,530 ? the amount in bullet A above. Recommendation We recommend that the Department review its existing internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure that the Department complies with the provisions of 2 CFR section 200.332(a), 2 CFR section 200.332(b), 2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f), and 2 CFR section 200.251. This would include ensuring that: 1. The Department has an approved subrecipient grant agreement prior to making any disbursements to an entity; 2. All required award information is communicated to subrecipients; 3. A documented risk assessment is performed over all subrecipients, and the results of that risk assessment is used to evaluate the types of monitoring procedures that will be performed over the subrecipient; and 4. As a result of the risk assessment performed, monitoring activities are performed over subrecipients to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of its subrecipient grant agreement. View of Responsible Officials A. We concur with this finding. The Department utilized an internally available copy of the Management Log, which lists vendor?s determinations. This is a copy of the log, not the original, official copy. There is a delay in updating this copy from the original, and incorrect information had been initially entered. The Department is moving this log to software which allows all Department employees to view the same log, while limiting the number of individuals who have access to make changes. Implementation has been completed as of March 2023. B. We concur with this finding. However, we believe this was an isolated incident as the TANF CFDA number (93.558) used was very similar to correct CFDA number (93.778) that should have been documented. C. 200.332 requirements a. We do not concur with this finding. The contract for Mt Prospect became effective 8/4/21, prior to the 4/22 inception of the UEI. The DUNS number, as in effect at that time, is noticed in Exhibit J of the contract. b. We concur with three of the four findings. Two of the four contracts pre-date the template update requiring the notice an indirect cost rate. Indirect cost rate for federal awards (including if the de minimis rate is charged per 2 CFR section 200.414) were added to Exhibit C of the Department?s contracts in April 2020. One of the contracts did not indicate an indirect cost rate as required. One of the contracts notes the indirect cost rate in the Notes of their financial details. c. One of the two contracts pre-dates the template update requiring the notice the identification of R&D. R&D identifications for federal awards were added to Exhibit C of the Department?s contracts in April 2020 One of the two contracts did not identify whether the contract was R&D as required. D. Subrecipient Risk Assessment ? We concur with the finding. We consider the finding to be fully resolved through Department policy Department policy and Department wide implementation. However, it should be noted full compliance will not be achieved for one to two contact cycles due to timing. The Department began addressing the issue of Subrecipient Monitoring issue in June 2017 when the first Grants Administrator was hired. The Department finalized the Subrecipient Monitoring Policy, which encompasses the financial and programmatic risk assessments as well as the subrecipient monitoring, on June 1, 2018. The Department provided user training on the subject in February and September 2018, training over one hundred forty-six staff. However, only brand new procurements utilized this policy during the initial roll out of this policy. The Department hired a new Grants Administrator in May 2019. The full Subrecipient Monitoring policy rolled out to all procurements, including sole source, amendments, and renewals, effective August 1, 2020. The Contracts Unit received specialized subrecipient monitoring training on May 13 and October 28, 2020. Department wide training to all staff occurred weekly between September 8 and November 3, 2020. The Grants Office provided additional targeted training to Program staff through team meetings. Over one hundred fifty Program and Finance staff received training. Annual training will be held in September each year. Refresher training or training for new staff is available upon request from the Grants Office. The Grants Office website offers Program, Finance, and Contracts Bureau staff access to the subrecipient monitoring policy, as well as training modules, slides, and tools. The training has also been recorded and is available on this site. The Subrecipient Monitoring Policy requires Program to determine whether any vendor which receives funds in exchange for goods or services is a Contractor or Subrecipient. Determined subrecipients receive a Management Questionnaire, which includes a ten question questionnaire and requirements for submitting financial data. This information is used to populate the Risk Assessment Tool, which shows any risks pertinent to a subrecipient and the subaward. Based on the risks shown, Program chooses monitoring activities to mitigate the risks and the Contracts Bureau memorializes these choices in the contract. The Grants Office continues to work closely with the Contracts Bureau to ensure compliance with the Subrecipient Monitoring policy. C. and D. It is also important to note that between April 2020 and June 2022 the Department was involved in the State?s strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, New Hampshire was under a state of emergency (Executive Order 2020-04), processes were rapidly converted to fully digital overnight, the State?s standard approval processes were suspended and non-standard templates, which did not include the required notifications under 200.332, were utilized to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department worked with other State Departments and the National Guard to create a record number of amendments, contracts, and other agreements (approximately 200% more than standard). The Department is in the process of instituting a new contract life cycle management solution that will utilize conditional logic to include the required notifications for agreements involving federal funds in order to ensure compliance. Implementation is anticipated to be complete in July 2023. As the COVID-19 pandemic strategic response has wound down, the Department has not suspended its regular standard approval or subrecipient risk assessment and monitoring processes and has not used non-standard templates to award federal funding. E. We concur there was no formal documentation of any monitoring activity. Due to staff turnover a new administrator has been hired and unable to furnish the monitoring that took place during FY22. However, a program site review during FY23 was performed and financial monitoring of invoices has also taken place. Anticipated Completion Date: July, 2023 Contact Person: Melissa Kelleher, Administrator Rejoinder As documented above in Bullet B of the condition found, the Department did not properly communicate all required award information to the subrecipient. Once aware of the noncompliance, the Department should have timely communicated this information to its subrecipients.
Finding Reference Number: 2022-021 NH Department of Health and Human Services Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and COVID-19 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Assistance Listing #93.558) Federal Award Numbers: 2021G996115, 2021G990228, 2022G996115 Federal Award Year: 2021, 2022 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance Prior Year Finding: NA Statistically Valid Sample: No Criteria5 A pass-through entity must: 1. Clearly identify to the subrecipient required award information and applicable requirements described in 2 CFR section 200.332(a); 2. Evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for the purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward (2 CFR section 300.332(b)); 3. Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals (2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f). In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required through the terms and conditions of the award, subaward monitoring must include following up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means; and 4. Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to federal award provided to the subrecipient from the subrecipient as required by 2 CFR section 200.521. Additionally, per 2 CFR section 200.303, non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards that provide 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. Condition As part of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF), the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) enters into grant agreements with local entities to provide services to support eligible participants. During the year ended June 30, 2022, the Department passed through $3,307,974 to subrecipients. As part of our testwork over the subrecipient monitoring process, we noted the following: A. For 1 of 7 subrecipients selected for testwork, per review of the grant agreement, we noted that the agreement did not contain any funding to be paid under the TANF program and should not have been identified as a TANF subrecipient. The total amount paid to the entity was $13,530. B. The Department communicates award information to subrecipients through the approved grant agreement. Per review of the grant agreement, for 4 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork, the Department did not communicate all the required award information as outlined in 2 CFR section 200.332. Specifically, the following elements were not communicated: a. The subrecipient?s unique identifier was not communicated for 1 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork b. Indirect cost rate for federal awards (including if the deminimus rate is charged per 2 CFR section 200.414) was not communicated for 2 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork c. Identification of whether the award is R&D was not communicated for 4 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork. C. The Department did not perform a risk assessment for all subrecipients selected for testwork. As a result, it is unclear if any additional targeted subrecipient monitoring should have been performed. D. For 1 of the remaining 6 subrecipients selected for testwork, there was no evidence that a programmatic monitoring review was completed for the subrecipient as required by their subrecipient monitoring policy. As there was no risk assessment performed for the subrecipient, it was unclear as to whether a programmatic monitoring visit should have been performed. Cause The cause of the condition found is primarily due to insufficient internal controls and procedures to ensure that federal reimbursement of expenditures are only disbursed to entities that have an approved subrecipient grant agreement. In addition, there are insufficient internal controls and procedures to ensure that award identification information is properly communicated with grant agreements and that risk assessments are performed to ensure sufficient during the awarded monitoring is performed over all subrecipients. Effect The effect of the condition found is that the Department did not comply with 2 CFR section 200.332(a), section 200.332(b), CFR section 200.521 and 2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f). Questioned Costs $13,530 ? the amount in bullet A above. Recommendation We recommend that the Department review its existing internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure that the Department complies with the provisions of 2 CFR section 200.332(a), 2 CFR section 200.332(b), 2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f), and 2 CFR section 200.251. This would include ensuring that: 1. The Department has an approved subrecipient grant agreement prior to making any disbursements to an entity; 2. All required award information is communicated to subrecipients; 3. A documented risk assessment is performed over all subrecipients, and the results of that risk assessment is used to evaluate the types of monitoring procedures that will be performed over the subrecipient; and 4. As a result of the risk assessment performed, monitoring activities are performed over subrecipients to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of its subrecipient grant agreement. View of Responsible Officials A. We concur with this finding. The Department utilized an internally available copy of the Management Log, which lists vendor?s determinations. This is a copy of the log, not the original, official copy. There is a delay in updating this copy from the original, and incorrect information had been initially entered. The Department is moving this log to software which allows all Department employees to view the same log, while limiting the number of individuals who have access to make changes. Implementation has been completed as of March 2023. B. We concur with this finding. However, we believe this was an isolated incident as the TANF CFDA number (93.558) used was very similar to correct CFDA number (93.778) that should have been documented. C. 200.332 requirements a. We do not concur with this finding. The contract for Mt Prospect became effective 8/4/21, prior to the 4/22 inception of the UEI. The DUNS number, as in effect at that time, is noticed in Exhibit J of the contract. b. We concur with three of the four findings. Two of the four contracts pre-date the template update requiring the notice an indirect cost rate. Indirect cost rate for federal awards (including if the de minimis rate is charged per 2 CFR section 200.414) were added to Exhibit C of the Department?s contracts in April 2020. One of the contracts did not indicate an indirect cost rate as required. One of the contracts notes the indirect cost rate in the Notes of their financial details. c. One of the two contracts pre-dates the template update requiring the notice the identification of R&D. R&D identifications for federal awards were added to Exhibit C of the Department?s contracts in April 2020 One of the two contracts did not identify whether the contract was R&D as required. D. Subrecipient Risk Assessment ? We concur with the finding. We consider the finding to be fully resolved through Department policy Department policy and Department wide implementation. However, it should be noted full compliance will not be achieved for one to two contact cycles due to timing. The Department began addressing the issue of Subrecipient Monitoring issue in June 2017 when the first Grants Administrator was hired. The Department finalized the Subrecipient Monitoring Policy, which encompasses the financial and programmatic risk assessments as well as the subrecipient monitoring, on June 1, 2018. The Department provided user training on the subject in February and September 2018, training over one hundred forty-six staff. However, only brand new procurements utilized this policy during the initial roll out of this policy. The Department hired a new Grants Administrator in May 2019. The full Subrecipient Monitoring policy rolled out to all procurements, including sole source, amendments, and renewals, effective August 1, 2020. The Contracts Unit received specialized subrecipient monitoring training on May 13 and October 28, 2020. Department wide training to all staff occurred weekly between September 8 and November 3, 2020. The Grants Office provided additional targeted training to Program staff through team meetings. Over one hundred fifty Program and Finance staff received training. Annual training will be held in September each year. Refresher training or training for new staff is available upon request from the Grants Office. The Grants Office website offers Program, Finance, and Contracts Bureau staff access to the subrecipient monitoring policy, as well as training modules, slides, and tools. The training has also been recorded and is available on this site. The Subrecipient Monitoring Policy requires Program to determine whether any vendor which receives funds in exchange for goods or services is a Contractor or Subrecipient. Determined subrecipients receive a Management Questionnaire, which includes a ten question questionnaire and requirements for submitting financial data. This information is used to populate the Risk Assessment Tool, which shows any risks pertinent to a subrecipient and the subaward. Based on the risks shown, Program chooses monitoring activities to mitigate the risks and the Contracts Bureau memorializes these choices in the contract. The Grants Office continues to work closely with the Contracts Bureau to ensure compliance with the Subrecipient Monitoring policy. C. and D. It is also important to note that between April 2020 and June 2022 the Department was involved in the State?s strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, New Hampshire was under a state of emergency (Executive Order 2020-04), processes were rapidly converted to fully digital overnight, the State?s standard approval processes were suspended and non-standard templates, which did not include the required notifications under 200.332, were utilized to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department worked with other State Departments and the National Guard to create a record number of amendments, contracts, and other agreements (approximately 200% more than standard). The Department is in the process of instituting a new contract life cycle management solution that will utilize conditional logic to include the required notifications for agreements involving federal funds in order to ensure compliance. Implementation is anticipated to be complete in July 2023. As the COVID-19 pandemic strategic response has wound down, the Department has not suspended its regular standard approval or subrecipient risk assessment and monitoring processes and has not used non-standard templates to award federal funding. E. We concur there was no formal documentation of any monitoring activity. Due to staff turnover a new administrator has been hired and unable to furnish the monitoring that took place during FY22. However, a program site review during FY23 was performed and financial monitoring of invoices has also taken place. Anticipated Completion Date: July, 2023 Contact Person: Melissa Kelleher, Administrator Rejoinder As documented above in Bullet B of the condition found, the Department did not properly communicate all required award information to the subrecipient. Once aware of the noncompliance, the Department should have timely communicated this information to its subrecipients.
Finding Reference Number: 2022-025 NH Department of Energy Low Income Home Energy Assistance and COVID-19 Low Income Home Energy Assistance (Assistance Listing #93.568) Federal Award Numbers: 2001NHLEA, 2001NHLIE4, 2001NH5C3, 2101NHLIEA, 2101NHE5C6, 2201NHLIEA, 2101NHLIE4 Federal Award Year: 2020, 2021, 2022 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance Prior Year Finding: 2021-027 Statistically Valid Sample: No Criteria A pass-through entity must: 1. Clearly identify to the subrecipient required award information and applicable requirements described in 2 CFR section 200.332(a); 2. Evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for the purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward (2 CFR section 300.332(b)); 3. Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals (2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f). In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required through the terms and conditions of the award, subaward monitoring must include following up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means; and 4. Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to federal award provided to the subrecipient from the subrecipient as required by 2 CFR section 200.521. Additionally, Title 45 U.S. Code of Federal Regulation Part 75 (45 CFR section 75), Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HS Awards, section 75.303(a), Internal Controls, states the non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition As part of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP), the New Hampshire Department of Energy (the Department) enters into grant agreements with local entities to provide services related to the eligibility determination process for the LIHEAP program (including the calculation of participant benefits) and payment of benefits to fuel providers. During the year ended June 30, 2022, $37,990,873 was passed through to subrecipients. As part of our testwork over the subrecipient monitoring process, we noted the following as of the year ending June 30, 2022: A. The Department communicates award information to subrecipients through the approved grant agreement. Per review of the grant agreement, for each of the 3 subrecipients selected for testwork, the Department did not communicate all the required award information as outlined in 2 CFR section 200.332. Specifically, the following elements were not communicated: a. Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) b. Federal award date c. Indirect cost rate for federal awards (including if the deminimus rate is charged per 2 CFR section 200.414) d. Identification of whether the award is R&D B. The Department performed a risk assessment for each of the 3 subrecipients selected for testwork. As part of the risk assessment process, a score was given to each subrecipient with corresponded to a particular risk assessment, such as higher or average risk. The Department however does not have a formal risk assessment policy so it was unclear what additional monitoring procedures should have been performed for each subrecipient based upon their assigned risk. C. For 2 of 3 programmatic monitoring reviews selected for testwork, the Department did not tissue its programmatic monitoring reports to the subrecipient timely after the monitoring review was completed. As a result, there was a delay in the subrecipient implementing its corrective action plan to address the findings identified during the programmatic monitoring review. Specifically, we noted the following: a. For 1 of 2 programmatic monitoring reviews, the monitoring review took place on April 14, 2022, but the report to the subrecipient was not issued until September 2022. Per review of the report that was issued, there were findings identified by the Department that warranted corrective action. Due to the delay in issuing the report, a corrective action plan was not obtained from the subrecipient until 5 months after the date of that the monitoring review took place b. For 1 of 2 programmatic monitoring reviews, the monitoring review took place on April 12, 2022, but the report to the subrecipient was not issued until July 2022. Per review of the report that was issued, there were findings identified by the Department that warranted corrective action. Due to the delay in issuing the report, a corrective action plan was not obtained from the subrecipient until 3 months after the date that the monitoring review took place. D. For all 3 subrecipients selected for testwork, the Department did not complete its annual fiscal monitoring review during the audit period as required by their monitoring policy. E. During our testwork over the Department?s review of subrecipient uniform guidance reports, we noted the following: a. The Department does not track the receipt of uniform guidance reports. As a result, we were unable to determine when the uniform guidance reports were received by the Department to ensure they are reviewed timely. Specifically, we noted: i. For 1 of 3 subrecipients, the subrecipient?s uniform guidance appeared to have been reviewed, but as the Department does not track the receipt of uniform guidance reports, it was unclear if it was reviewed timely. We did note based on the date that the uniform guidance report was issued, the management decision letter was not issued within 6 months of the date of the report being issued as required by 2 CRF 200.521 (d). ii. For 2 of 3 subrecipients selected for testwork, we were unable to obtain evidence to support that the Department had obtained and reviewed the subrecipient?s uniform guidance report. F. The Annual Report on Households Assisted by LIHEAP contains data that is specific to benefits paid to eligible participants. The data that is used to compile the annual report is obtained from case data that is reported to the New Hampshire Department of Energy (the Department) from its subrecipients as the Department has entered into grant agreements with third parties who are responsible for the eligibility determination and benefit payment process. As part of our subrecipient monitoring testwork, we were unable to verify that the Department had performed any monitoring procedures over the data provided by each subrecipient to ensure that the data reported within the annual report was complete and accurate. Cause The cause of the condition found was primarily due to insufficient documented subrecipient policies and procedures to ensure that adequate monitoring is performed over subrecipients to align with the risk assessments performed. The monitoring procedures that are in place to not include the completeness and accuracy of the data submitted by the subrecipient utilized to compile federal reports. Further, the Department does not have sufficient internal controls and procedures to ensure results of monitoring visits are performed and results communicated timely to subrecipient or to ensure that subrecipient uniform guidance reports are obtained and reviewed timely. In addition, there are insufficient internal controls in place to review the grant agreements to ensure that all required data elements are communicated to the subrecipient in accordance with 2 CFR section 300.332(b). Effect The effect of the condition found is that the Department did not comply with 2 CFR section 200.332(a), section 200.332(b) and 2 CFR section 200.521. Questioned Costs None. Recommendation We recommend that the Department formalize, policies and procedures and implement the necessary internal controls to ensure that the Department complies with the provisions of 2 CFR section 200.332(a), 2 CFR section 200.332(b) and 2 CFR section 200.251. This would include ensuring that: 1. All required award information is communicated to subrecipients; 2. A documented risk assessment is performed over all subrecipients and the results of that risk assessment is used to evaluate the types of monitoring procedures that will be performed over the subrecipient including the review of data utilized by the Department to compile federal reports; 3. As a result of the risk assessment performed, monitoring activities are performed over subrecipients to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of its subrecipient grant agreement. The results of all monitoring reviews should be timely communicated in accordance with the Department?s policies to the subrecipient and actions requiring corrective action plan should be followed up on to ensure that the matter is resolved; and 4. Ensure that all uniform guidance reports are collected and reviewed timely so that a management decision letter can be issued within the time period required by federal regulations. View of Responsible Officials The Department of Energy recognizes the need to include all required information to be communicated to sub-recipients, and that all sub-recipients? risk assessments are thoroughly completed. In addition, uniform guidance reports need to be collected and reviewed to ensure that management letters be issued within the required timeframe. Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing Contact Person Eileen Smiglowski, NH LIHEAP Administrator
Finding Reference Number: 2022-025 NH Department of Energy Low Income Home Energy Assistance and COVID-19 Low Income Home Energy Assistance (Assistance Listing #93.568) Federal Award Numbers: 2001NHLEA, 2001NHLIE4, 2001NH5C3, 2101NHLIEA, 2101NHE5C6, 2201NHLIEA, 2101NHLIE4 Federal Award Year: 2020, 2021, 2022 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Noncompliance Prior Year Finding: 2021-027 Statistically Valid Sample: No Criteria A pass-through entity must: 1. Clearly identify to the subrecipient required award information and applicable requirements described in 2 CFR section 200.332(a); 2. Evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for the purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward (2 CFR section 300.332(b)); 3. Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals (2 CFR sections 200.332(d) through (f). In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required through the terms and conditions of the award, subaward monitoring must include following up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means; and 4. Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to federal award provided to the subrecipient from the subrecipient as required by 2 CFR section 200.521. Additionally, Title 45 U.S. Code of Federal Regulation Part 75 (45 CFR section 75), Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HS Awards, section 75.303(a), Internal Controls, states the non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition As part of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP), the New Hampshire Department of Energy (the Department) enters into grant agreements with local entities to provide services related to the eligibility determination process for the LIHEAP program (including the calculation of participant benefits) and payment of benefits to fuel providers. During the year ended June 30, 2022, $37,990,873 was passed through to subrecipients. As part of our testwork over the subrecipient monitoring process, we noted the following as of the year ending June 30, 2022: A. The Department communicates award information to subrecipients through the approved grant agreement. Per review of the grant agreement, for each of the 3 subrecipients selected for testwork, the Department did not communicate all the required award information as outlined in 2 CFR section 200.332. Specifically, the following elements were not communicated: a. Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) b. Federal award date c. Indirect cost rate for federal awards (including if the deminimus rate is charged per 2 CFR section 200.414) d. Identification of whether the award is R&D B. The Department performed a risk assessment for each of the 3 subrecipients selected for testwork. As part of the risk assessment process, a score was given to each subrecipient with corresponded to a particular risk assessment, such as higher or average risk. The Department however does not have a formal risk assessment policy so it was unclear what additional monitoring procedures should have been performed for each subrecipient based upon their assigned risk. C. For 2 of 3 programmatic monitoring reviews selected for testwork, the Department did not tissue its programmatic monitoring reports to the subrecipient timely after the monitoring review was completed. As a result, there was a delay in the subrecipient implementing its corrective action plan to address the findings identified during the programmatic monitoring review. Specifically, we noted the following: a. For 1 of 2 programmatic monitoring reviews, the monitoring review took place on April 14, 2022, but the report to the subrecipient was not issued until September 2022. Per review of the report that was issued, there were findings identified by the Department that warranted corrective action. Due to the delay in issuing the report, a corrective action plan was not obtained from the subrecipient until 5 months after the date of that the monitoring review took place b. For 1 of 2 programmatic monitoring reviews, the monitoring review took place on April 12, 2022, but the report to the subrecipient was not issued until July 2022. Per review of the report that was issued, there were findings identified by the Department that warranted corrective action. Due to the delay in issuing the report, a corrective action plan was not obtained from the subrecipient until 3 months after the date that the monitoring review took place. D. For all 3 subrecipients selected for testwork, the Department did not complete its annual fiscal monitoring review during the audit period as required by their monitoring policy. E. During our testwork over the Department?s review of subrecipient uniform guidance reports, we noted the following: a. The Department does not track the receipt of uniform guidance reports. As a result, we were unable to determine when the uniform guidance reports were received by the Department to ensure they are reviewed timely. Specifically, we noted: i. For 1 of 3 subrecipients, the subrecipient?s uniform guidance appeared to have been reviewed, but as the Department does not track the receipt of uniform guidance reports, it was unclear if it was reviewed timely. We did note based on the date that the uniform guidance report was issued, the management decision letter was not issued within 6 months of the date of the report being issued as required by 2 CRF 200.521 (d). ii. For 2 of 3 subrecipients selected for testwork, we were unable to obtain evidence to support that the Department had obtained and reviewed the subrecipient?s uniform guidance report. F. The Annual Report on Households Assisted by LIHEAP contains data that is specific to benefits paid to eligible participants. The data that is used to compile the annual report is obtained from case data that is reported to the New Hampshire Department of Energy (the Department) from its subrecipients as the Department has entered into grant agreements with third parties who are responsible for the eligibility determination and benefit payment process. As part of our subrecipient monitoring testwork, we were unable to verify that the Department had performed any monitoring procedures over the data provided by each subrecipient to ensure that the data reported within the annual report was complete and accurate. Cause The cause of the condition found was primarily due to insufficient documented subrecipient policies and procedures to ensure that adequate monitoring is performed over subrecipients to align with the risk assessments performed. The monitoring procedures that are in place to not include the completeness and accuracy of the data submitted by the subrecipient utilized to compile federal reports. Further, the Department does not have sufficient internal controls and procedures to ensure results of monitoring visits are performed and results communicated timely to subrecipient or to ensure that subrecipient uniform guidance reports are obtained and reviewed timely. In addition, there are insufficient internal controls in place to review the grant agreements to ensure that all required data elements are communicated to the subrecipient in accordance with 2 CFR section 300.332(b). Effect The effect of the condition found is that the Department did not comply with 2 CFR section 200.332(a), section 200.332(b) and 2 CFR section 200.521. Questioned Costs None. Recommendation We recommend that the Department formalize, policies and procedures and implement the necessary internal controls to ensure that the Department complies with the provisions of 2 CFR section 200.332(a), 2 CFR section 200.332(b) and 2 CFR section 200.251. This would include ensuring that: 1. All required award information is communicated to subrecipients; 2. A documented risk assessment is performed over all subrecipients and the results of that risk assessment is used to evaluate the types of monitoring procedures that will be performed over the subrecipient including the review of data utilized by the Department to compile federal reports; 3. As a result of the risk assessment performed, monitoring activities are performed over subrecipients to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of its subrecipient grant agreement. The results of all monitoring reviews should be timely communicated in accordance with the Department?s policies to the subrecipient and actions requiring corrective action plan should be followed up on to ensure that the matter is resolved; and 4. Ensure that all uniform guidance reports are collected and reviewed timely so that a management decision letter can be issued within the time period required by federal regulations. View of Responsible Officials The Department of Energy recognizes the need to include all required information to be communicated to sub-recipients, and that all sub-recipients? risk assessments are thoroughly completed. In addition, uniform guidance reports need to be collected and reviewed to ensure that management letters be issued within the required timeframe. Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing Contact Person Eileen Smiglowski, NH LIHEAP Administrator
Finding 2022-076 Compliance with Federal Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements The Department receives federal grant funds directly from the federal government for the Highway Planning and Construction Program (Program) and then subgrants, or passes through, a portion of the funds to cities and counties and other organizations that are considered to be either a subrecipient or a contractor. A subrecipient is a non-federal entity that expends federal awards received from a pass-through entity to carry out a federal program, but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary receiving direct payments from such a program. A contractor is a dealer, distributor, merchant, or other seller providing goods or services that are required to conduct a federal program; these goods or services may be for an organization?s own use or for the use of beneficiaries of the federal program. The Department executes an Intergovemental Agreement (IGA) between the Department and the subrecipient. Under Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), the Department is responsible for evaluating each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward and for ultimately ensuring the subrecipient is determined eligible. In some instances, in coordination with the Federal Highway Association (FHWA), a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)? rather than the primary recipient, such as the Department?is responsible for performing eligibility determinations. As such, in those instances, the Department does not perform risk-assessments on these contracts and only is responsible for on-going monitoring. What was the purpose of our audit work and what work was performed? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the Department had effective internal controls in place and complied with subrecipient monitoring activities for the Program during Fiscal Year 2022. As part of our audit work, we reviewed the Department?s internal controls over compliance for subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Program, including the Department?s policies and procedures. We tested a random sample of 25 of the Department?s 92 subrecipients (27 percent) for the Program?for which the Department had an IGA in place during Fiscal Year 2022?to determine whether subrecipient monitoring procedures performed by Department staff during the year were compliant with federal regulations. Our testing included evaluating whether the Department performed risk assessments and determined the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring for the entities, as required by federal Uniform Guidance. How were the results of the audit work measured? Our audit work was designed to measure the Department?s compliance with the following criteria: ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.303] state that the Department, as a federal grant recipient, must ?establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulation, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(b)] also state that the Department must evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward and may include various factors. ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(d) through (f)] and [2 CFR 200.521] further require the Department to monitor the activities of its subrecipients, as necessary, to ensure that each subaward is used for authorized purposes, the subrecipient complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that the subrecipient achieves performance goals. The Department?s monitoring must include: o Reviewing financial and programmatic reports submitted by the subrecipient o Following-up on and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award o Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity What problems did the audit work identify? We determined that the Department did not comply with subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction Program during Fiscal Year 2022, as noted below: ? The Department did not perform a risk assessment for 6 of the 25 subrecipients (24 percent) we tested, including subrecipients where eligibility was determined by a MPO. ? The Department improperly included one vendor in our population of subrecipients. The nature of services provided by the vendor was personal services, therefore, did not require the execution of an IGA. ? The Department did not provide supporting documentation for reviews of any Fiscal Year 2022 financial and programmatic reports. As a result, we were unable to determine if any reviews were conducted during the fiscal year, as required. Why did these problems occur? While the Department has created a subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment manual, the manual lacks clarity in a variety of areas, including the following: ? For contracts which extend over multiple fiscal years, the policies do not specify the frequency in which subrecipient risk-assessment should be reviewed or updated. ? There are multiple types of subrecipient contracts for which the full risk-assessment process may not be applicable, however, the current policies do not address acceptable exceptions to the policy. ? The Department?s current policies do not include guidance related to the review of financial and programmatic reports, including the extent to which required programmatic and financial reports should be obtained and reviewed. ? The Department?s policies and procedures do not clearly indicate that the Department is not required to complete a risk assessment when an MPO determines eligibility and therefore the nature of monitoring procedures to be performed is not defined. ? Requested audit documentation was not provided timely. Further, the Department did not provide sufficiently-detailed training to staff to ensure they were aware of and conducted required subrecipient monitoring responsibilities. Why do these problems matter? Performing timely and appropriate monitoring of subrecipients provides the Department with a method to ensure its subrecipients are complying with applicable federal grant requirements. By taking appropriate actions based on the results of its subrecipient monitoring activities, the Department can mitigate the risk of providing continuing funding to entities that may not be using funds in accordance with program requirements. Overall, the Department?s failure to comply with federal requirements could result in a loss of funding from the federal government. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Recommendation 2022-076 The Department of Transportation should strengthen internal controls over and ensure that it complies with federal subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction program by: A. Updating its current subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment policy to clarify the frequency in which a risk assessment is required to be completed or updated, as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as direction regarding when it is acceptable to forgo performing a risk assessment and updating the policy to address the nature in which subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed B. Providing training to staff responsible for subrecipient monitoring activities related to the policies updated in Part A of the finding. Response Department of Transportation A. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will update the policy to clarify the frequency in which the risk assessment is required to be completed or updated as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as identifying exceptions, outlining when it is acceptable to forgo risk assessments. The Department will also update the policy to address the nature in which the subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed. The updates will be completed by November 2023. B. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will provide training on the subrecipient monitoring policy manual to outline roles, responsibilities and the frequency of risk assessments that span over multiple fiscal years. The training will also provide guidance on the programmatic and financial information review process.
Finding 2022-076 Compliance with Federal Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements The Department receives federal grant funds directly from the federal government for the Highway Planning and Construction Program (Program) and then subgrants, or passes through, a portion of the funds to cities and counties and other organizations that are considered to be either a subrecipient or a contractor. A subrecipient is a non-federal entity that expends federal awards received from a pass-through entity to carry out a federal program, but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary receiving direct payments from such a program. A contractor is a dealer, distributor, merchant, or other seller providing goods or services that are required to conduct a federal program; these goods or services may be for an organization?s own use or for the use of beneficiaries of the federal program. The Department executes an Intergovemental Agreement (IGA) between the Department and the subrecipient. Under Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), the Department is responsible for evaluating each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward and for ultimately ensuring the subrecipient is determined eligible. In some instances, in coordination with the Federal Highway Association (FHWA), a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)? rather than the primary recipient, such as the Department?is responsible for performing eligibility determinations. As such, in those instances, the Department does not perform risk-assessments on these contracts and only is responsible for on-going monitoring. What was the purpose of our audit work and what work was performed? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the Department had effective internal controls in place and complied with subrecipient monitoring activities for the Program during Fiscal Year 2022. As part of our audit work, we reviewed the Department?s internal controls over compliance for subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Program, including the Department?s policies and procedures. We tested a random sample of 25 of the Department?s 92 subrecipients (27 percent) for the Program?for which the Department had an IGA in place during Fiscal Year 2022?to determine whether subrecipient monitoring procedures performed by Department staff during the year were compliant with federal regulations. Our testing included evaluating whether the Department performed risk assessments and determined the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring for the entities, as required by federal Uniform Guidance. How were the results of the audit work measured? Our audit work was designed to measure the Department?s compliance with the following criteria: ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.303] state that the Department, as a federal grant recipient, must ?establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulation, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(b)] also state that the Department must evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward and may include various factors. ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(d) through (f)] and [2 CFR 200.521] further require the Department to monitor the activities of its subrecipients, as necessary, to ensure that each subaward is used for authorized purposes, the subrecipient complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that the subrecipient achieves performance goals. The Department?s monitoring must include: o Reviewing financial and programmatic reports submitted by the subrecipient o Following-up on and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award o Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity What problems did the audit work identify? We determined that the Department did not comply with subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction Program during Fiscal Year 2022, as noted below: ? The Department did not perform a risk assessment for 6 of the 25 subrecipients (24 percent) we tested, including subrecipients where eligibility was determined by a MPO. ? The Department improperly included one vendor in our population of subrecipients. The nature of services provided by the vendor was personal services, therefore, did not require the execution of an IGA. ? The Department did not provide supporting documentation for reviews of any Fiscal Year 2022 financial and programmatic reports. As a result, we were unable to determine if any reviews were conducted during the fiscal year, as required. Why did these problems occur? While the Department has created a subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment manual, the manual lacks clarity in a variety of areas, including the following: ? For contracts which extend over multiple fiscal years, the policies do not specify the frequency in which subrecipient risk-assessment should be reviewed or updated. ? There are multiple types of subrecipient contracts for which the full risk-assessment process may not be applicable, however, the current policies do not address acceptable exceptions to the policy. ? The Department?s current policies do not include guidance related to the review of financial and programmatic reports, including the extent to which required programmatic and financial reports should be obtained and reviewed. ? The Department?s policies and procedures do not clearly indicate that the Department is not required to complete a risk assessment when an MPO determines eligibility and therefore the nature of monitoring procedures to be performed is not defined. ? Requested audit documentation was not provided timely. Further, the Department did not provide sufficiently-detailed training to staff to ensure they were aware of and conducted required subrecipient monitoring responsibilities. Why do these problems matter? Performing timely and appropriate monitoring of subrecipients provides the Department with a method to ensure its subrecipients are complying with applicable federal grant requirements. By taking appropriate actions based on the results of its subrecipient monitoring activities, the Department can mitigate the risk of providing continuing funding to entities that may not be using funds in accordance with program requirements. Overall, the Department?s failure to comply with federal requirements could result in a loss of funding from the federal government. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Recommendation 2022-076 The Department of Transportation should strengthen internal controls over and ensure that it complies with federal subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction program by: A. Updating its current subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment policy to clarify the frequency in which a risk assessment is required to be completed or updated, as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as direction regarding when it is acceptable to forgo performing a risk assessment and updating the policy to address the nature in which subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed B. Providing training to staff responsible for subrecipient monitoring activities related to the policies updated in Part A of the finding. Response Department of Transportation A. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will update the policy to clarify the frequency in which the risk assessment is required to be completed or updated as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as identifying exceptions, outlining when it is acceptable to forgo risk assessments. The Department will also update the policy to address the nature in which the subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed. The updates will be completed by November 2023. B. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will provide training on the subrecipient monitoring policy manual to outline roles, responsibilities and the frequency of risk assessments that span over multiple fiscal years. The training will also provide guidance on the programmatic and financial information review process.
Finding 2022-076 Compliance with Federal Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements The Department receives federal grant funds directly from the federal government for the Highway Planning and Construction Program (Program) and then subgrants, or passes through, a portion of the funds to cities and counties and other organizations that are considered to be either a subrecipient or a contractor. A subrecipient is a non-federal entity that expends federal awards received from a pass-through entity to carry out a federal program, but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary receiving direct payments from such a program. A contractor is a dealer, distributor, merchant, or other seller providing goods or services that are required to conduct a federal program; these goods or services may be for an organization?s own use or for the use of beneficiaries of the federal program. The Department executes an Intergovemental Agreement (IGA) between the Department and the subrecipient. Under Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), the Department is responsible for evaluating each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward and for ultimately ensuring the subrecipient is determined eligible. In some instances, in coordination with the Federal Highway Association (FHWA), a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)? rather than the primary recipient, such as the Department?is responsible for performing eligibility determinations. As such, in those instances, the Department does not perform risk-assessments on these contracts and only is responsible for on-going monitoring. What was the purpose of our audit work and what work was performed? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the Department had effective internal controls in place and complied with subrecipient monitoring activities for the Program during Fiscal Year 2022. As part of our audit work, we reviewed the Department?s internal controls over compliance for subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Program, including the Department?s policies and procedures. We tested a random sample of 25 of the Department?s 92 subrecipients (27 percent) for the Program?for which the Department had an IGA in place during Fiscal Year 2022?to determine whether subrecipient monitoring procedures performed by Department staff during the year were compliant with federal regulations. Our testing included evaluating whether the Department performed risk assessments and determined the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring for the entities, as required by federal Uniform Guidance. How were the results of the audit work measured? Our audit work was designed to measure the Department?s compliance with the following criteria: ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.303] state that the Department, as a federal grant recipient, must ?establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulation, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(b)] also state that the Department must evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward and may include various factors. ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(d) through (f)] and [2 CFR 200.521] further require the Department to monitor the activities of its subrecipients, as necessary, to ensure that each subaward is used for authorized purposes, the subrecipient complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that the subrecipient achieves performance goals. The Department?s monitoring must include: o Reviewing financial and programmatic reports submitted by the subrecipient o Following-up on and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award o Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity What problems did the audit work identify? We determined that the Department did not comply with subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction Program during Fiscal Year 2022, as noted below: ? The Department did not perform a risk assessment for 6 of the 25 subrecipients (24 percent) we tested, including subrecipients where eligibility was determined by a MPO. ? The Department improperly included one vendor in our population of subrecipients. The nature of services provided by the vendor was personal services, therefore, did not require the execution of an IGA. ? The Department did not provide supporting documentation for reviews of any Fiscal Year 2022 financial and programmatic reports. As a result, we were unable to determine if any reviews were conducted during the fiscal year, as required. Why did these problems occur? While the Department has created a subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment manual, the manual lacks clarity in a variety of areas, including the following: ? For contracts which extend over multiple fiscal years, the policies do not specify the frequency in which subrecipient risk-assessment should be reviewed or updated. ? There are multiple types of subrecipient contracts for which the full risk-assessment process may not be applicable, however, the current policies do not address acceptable exceptions to the policy. ? The Department?s current policies do not include guidance related to the review of financial and programmatic reports, including the extent to which required programmatic and financial reports should be obtained and reviewed. ? The Department?s policies and procedures do not clearly indicate that the Department is not required to complete a risk assessment when an MPO determines eligibility and therefore the nature of monitoring procedures to be performed is not defined. ? Requested audit documentation was not provided timely. Further, the Department did not provide sufficiently-detailed training to staff to ensure they were aware of and conducted required subrecipient monitoring responsibilities. Why do these problems matter? Performing timely and appropriate monitoring of subrecipients provides the Department with a method to ensure its subrecipients are complying with applicable federal grant requirements. By taking appropriate actions based on the results of its subrecipient monitoring activities, the Department can mitigate the risk of providing continuing funding to entities that may not be using funds in accordance with program requirements. Overall, the Department?s failure to comply with federal requirements could result in a loss of funding from the federal government. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Recommendation 2022-076 The Department of Transportation should strengthen internal controls over and ensure that it complies with federal subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction program by: A. Updating its current subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment policy to clarify the frequency in which a risk assessment is required to be completed or updated, as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as direction regarding when it is acceptable to forgo performing a risk assessment and updating the policy to address the nature in which subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed B. Providing training to staff responsible for subrecipient monitoring activities related to the policies updated in Part A of the finding. Response Department of Transportation A. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will update the policy to clarify the frequency in which the risk assessment is required to be completed or updated as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as identifying exceptions, outlining when it is acceptable to forgo risk assessments. The Department will also update the policy to address the nature in which the subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed. The updates will be completed by November 2023. B. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will provide training on the subrecipient monitoring policy manual to outline roles, responsibilities and the frequency of risk assessments that span over multiple fiscal years. The training will also provide guidance on the programmatic and financial information review process.
Finding 2022-076 Compliance with Federal Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements The Department receives federal grant funds directly from the federal government for the Highway Planning and Construction Program (Program) and then subgrants, or passes through, a portion of the funds to cities and counties and other organizations that are considered to be either a subrecipient or a contractor. A subrecipient is a non-federal entity that expends federal awards received from a pass-through entity to carry out a federal program, but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary receiving direct payments from such a program. A contractor is a dealer, distributor, merchant, or other seller providing goods or services that are required to conduct a federal program; these goods or services may be for an organization?s own use or for the use of beneficiaries of the federal program. The Department executes an Intergovemental Agreement (IGA) between the Department and the subrecipient. Under Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), the Department is responsible for evaluating each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward and for ultimately ensuring the subrecipient is determined eligible. In some instances, in coordination with the Federal Highway Association (FHWA), a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)? rather than the primary recipient, such as the Department?is responsible for performing eligibility determinations. As such, in those instances, the Department does not perform risk-assessments on these contracts and only is responsible for on-going monitoring. What was the purpose of our audit work and what work was performed? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the Department had effective internal controls in place and complied with subrecipient monitoring activities for the Program during Fiscal Year 2022. As part of our audit work, we reviewed the Department?s internal controls over compliance for subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Program, including the Department?s policies and procedures. We tested a random sample of 25 of the Department?s 92 subrecipients (27 percent) for the Program?for which the Department had an IGA in place during Fiscal Year 2022?to determine whether subrecipient monitoring procedures performed by Department staff during the year were compliant with federal regulations. Our testing included evaluating whether the Department performed risk assessments and determined the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring for the entities, as required by federal Uniform Guidance. How were the results of the audit work measured? Our audit work was designed to measure the Department?s compliance with the following criteria: ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.303] state that the Department, as a federal grant recipient, must ?establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulation, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(b)] also state that the Department must evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward and may include various factors. ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(d) through (f)] and [2 CFR 200.521] further require the Department to monitor the activities of its subrecipients, as necessary, to ensure that each subaward is used for authorized purposes, the subrecipient complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that the subrecipient achieves performance goals. The Department?s monitoring must include: o Reviewing financial and programmatic reports submitted by the subrecipient o Following-up on and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award o Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity What problems did the audit work identify? We determined that the Department did not comply with subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction Program during Fiscal Year 2022, as noted below: ? The Department did not perform a risk assessment for 6 of the 25 subrecipients (24 percent) we tested, including subrecipients where eligibility was determined by a MPO. ? The Department improperly included one vendor in our population of subrecipients. The nature of services provided by the vendor was personal services, therefore, did not require the execution of an IGA. ? The Department did not provide supporting documentation for reviews of any Fiscal Year 2022 financial and programmatic reports. As a result, we were unable to determine if any reviews were conducted during the fiscal year, as required. Why did these problems occur? While the Department has created a subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment manual, the manual lacks clarity in a variety of areas, including the following: ? For contracts which extend over multiple fiscal years, the policies do not specify the frequency in which subrecipient risk-assessment should be reviewed or updated. ? There are multiple types of subrecipient contracts for which the full risk-assessment process may not be applicable, however, the current policies do not address acceptable exceptions to the policy. ? The Department?s current policies do not include guidance related to the review of financial and programmatic reports, including the extent to which required programmatic and financial reports should be obtained and reviewed. ? The Department?s policies and procedures do not clearly indicate that the Department is not required to complete a risk assessment when an MPO determines eligibility and therefore the nature of monitoring procedures to be performed is not defined. ? Requested audit documentation was not provided timely. Further, the Department did not provide sufficiently-detailed training to staff to ensure they were aware of and conducted required subrecipient monitoring responsibilities. Why do these problems matter? Performing timely and appropriate monitoring of subrecipients provides the Department with a method to ensure its subrecipients are complying with applicable federal grant requirements. By taking appropriate actions based on the results of its subrecipient monitoring activities, the Department can mitigate the risk of providing continuing funding to entities that may not be using funds in accordance with program requirements. Overall, the Department?s failure to comply with federal requirements could result in a loss of funding from the federal government. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Recommendation 2022-076 The Department of Transportation should strengthen internal controls over and ensure that it complies with federal subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction program by: A. Updating its current subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment policy to clarify the frequency in which a risk assessment is required to be completed or updated, as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as direction regarding when it is acceptable to forgo performing a risk assessment and updating the policy to address the nature in which subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed B. Providing training to staff responsible for subrecipient monitoring activities related to the policies updated in Part A of the finding. Response Department of Transportation A. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will update the policy to clarify the frequency in which the risk assessment is required to be completed or updated as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as identifying exceptions, outlining when it is acceptable to forgo risk assessments. The Department will also update the policy to address the nature in which the subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed. The updates will be completed by November 2023. B. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will provide training on the subrecipient monitoring policy manual to outline roles, responsibilities and the frequency of risk assessments that span over multiple fiscal years. The training will also provide guidance on the programmatic and financial information review process.
Finding 2022-076 Compliance with Federal Subrecipient Monitoring Requirements The Department receives federal grant funds directly from the federal government for the Highway Planning and Construction Program (Program) and then subgrants, or passes through, a portion of the funds to cities and counties and other organizations that are considered to be either a subrecipient or a contractor. A subrecipient is a non-federal entity that expends federal awards received from a pass-through entity to carry out a federal program, but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary receiving direct payments from such a program. A contractor is a dealer, distributor, merchant, or other seller providing goods or services that are required to conduct a federal program; these goods or services may be for an organization?s own use or for the use of beneficiaries of the federal program. The Department executes an Intergovemental Agreement (IGA) between the Department and the subrecipient. Under Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), the Department is responsible for evaluating each subrecipient's risk of noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward and for ultimately ensuring the subrecipient is determined eligible. In some instances, in coordination with the Federal Highway Association (FHWA), a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)? rather than the primary recipient, such as the Department?is responsible for performing eligibility determinations. As such, in those instances, the Department does not perform risk-assessments on these contracts and only is responsible for on-going monitoring. What was the purpose of our audit work and what work was performed? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the Department had effective internal controls in place and complied with subrecipient monitoring activities for the Program during Fiscal Year 2022. As part of our audit work, we reviewed the Department?s internal controls over compliance for subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Program, including the Department?s policies and procedures. We tested a random sample of 25 of the Department?s 92 subrecipients (27 percent) for the Program?for which the Department had an IGA in place during Fiscal Year 2022?to determine whether subrecipient monitoring procedures performed by Department staff during the year were compliant with federal regulations. Our testing included evaluating whether the Department performed risk assessments and determined the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring for the entities, as required by federal Uniform Guidance. How were the results of the audit work measured? Our audit work was designed to measure the Department?s compliance with the following criteria: ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.303] state that the Department, as a federal grant recipient, must ?establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulation, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(b)] also state that the Department must evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward and may include various factors. ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(d) through (f)] and [2 CFR 200.521] further require the Department to monitor the activities of its subrecipients, as necessary, to ensure that each subaward is used for authorized purposes, the subrecipient complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that the subrecipient achieves performance goals. The Department?s monitoring must include: o Reviewing financial and programmatic reports submitted by the subrecipient o Following-up on and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award o Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity What problems did the audit work identify? We determined that the Department did not comply with subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction Program during Fiscal Year 2022, as noted below: ? The Department did not perform a risk assessment for 6 of the 25 subrecipients (24 percent) we tested, including subrecipients where eligibility was determined by a MPO. ? The Department improperly included one vendor in our population of subrecipients. The nature of services provided by the vendor was personal services, therefore, did not require the execution of an IGA. ? The Department did not provide supporting documentation for reviews of any Fiscal Year 2022 financial and programmatic reports. As a result, we were unable to determine if any reviews were conducted during the fiscal year, as required. Why did these problems occur? While the Department has created a subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment manual, the manual lacks clarity in a variety of areas, including the following: ? For contracts which extend over multiple fiscal years, the policies do not specify the frequency in which subrecipient risk-assessment should be reviewed or updated. ? There are multiple types of subrecipient contracts for which the full risk-assessment process may not be applicable, however, the current policies do not address acceptable exceptions to the policy. ? The Department?s current policies do not include guidance related to the review of financial and programmatic reports, including the extent to which required programmatic and financial reports should be obtained and reviewed. ? The Department?s policies and procedures do not clearly indicate that the Department is not required to complete a risk assessment when an MPO determines eligibility and therefore the nature of monitoring procedures to be performed is not defined. ? Requested audit documentation was not provided timely. Further, the Department did not provide sufficiently-detailed training to staff to ensure they were aware of and conducted required subrecipient monitoring responsibilities. Why do these problems matter? Performing timely and appropriate monitoring of subrecipients provides the Department with a method to ensure its subrecipients are complying with applicable federal grant requirements. By taking appropriate actions based on the results of its subrecipient monitoring activities, the Department can mitigate the risk of providing continuing funding to entities that may not be using funds in accordance with program requirements. Overall, the Department?s failure to comply with federal requirements could result in a loss of funding from the federal government. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Recommendation 2022-076 The Department of Transportation should strengthen internal controls over and ensure that it complies with federal subrecipient monitoring requirements for the Highway Planning and Construction program by: A. Updating its current subrecipient monitoring and risk assessment policy to clarify the frequency in which a risk assessment is required to be completed or updated, as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as direction regarding when it is acceptable to forgo performing a risk assessment and updating the policy to address the nature in which subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed B. Providing training to staff responsible for subrecipient monitoring activities related to the policies updated in Part A of the finding. Response Department of Transportation A. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will update the policy to clarify the frequency in which the risk assessment is required to be completed or updated as applicable for contracts that span multiple fiscal years, as well as identifying exceptions, outlining when it is acceptable to forgo risk assessments. The Department will also update the policy to address the nature in which the subrecipient programmatic and financial reports are reviewed. The updates will be completed by November 2023. B. Agree Implementation Date: November 2023 The Department will provide training on the subrecipient monitoring policy manual to outline roles, responsibilities and the frequency of risk assessments that span over multiple fiscal years. The training will also provide guidance on the programmatic and financial information review process.
The following finding and recommendation relating to an internal control deficiency classified as a Significant Deficiency was communicated to the Department of Transportation (Department) in the previous year and has not been remediated as of June 30, 2022 because the original implementation date provided by the Department was in a subsequent fiscal year. This complete finding and recommendation can be found within the original report and the complete recommendation can be found within Section IV: Prior Audit Recommendations of this report. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Finding 2021-068 The following finding and recommendation relating to an internal control deficiency classified as a Significant Deficiency was communicated to the Department in the previous year and has not been remediated as of June 30, 2021, because the original implementation date provided by the Department is in a subsequent fiscal year. This complete finding and recommendation can be found in the original report and Section III: Prior Federal Recommendations of this report. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table. Finding 2020-075 FORMULA GRANTS FOR RURAL AREAS?INTERNAL CONTROLS AND COMPLIANCE WITH SUBRECIPIENT MONITORING The Department received funding from the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) for the Program during Fiscal Year 2020 and expended approximately $26.8 million under the Program; the expenditures included approximately $16.9 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The objective of this Program is to initiate, improve, or continue public transportation services in rural areas. FTA provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys, and ferries. FTA also oversees safety measures and helps develop next-generation technology research. Approximately $26.0 million (97 percent) of the Program funds expended by the Department were passed through to subrecipients in order to carry out a portion of the Program. WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF OUR AUDIT WORK AND WHAT WORK WAS PERFORMED? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the Department had effective internal controls in place during Fiscal Year 2020 over the Program, and complied with the Program?s subrecipient monitoring activities. As part of our audit work, we reviewed the Department?s internal controls over compliance for the Program?s subrecipient monitoring. In addition, we tested a random sample of five of 45 Program subrecipients for Fiscal Year 2020 to determine whether the subrecipient monitoring procedures the Department performed during the year were compliant with federal requirements. HOW WERE THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT WORK MEASURED? Our audit work was designed to measure the results of compliance with the following criteria: ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(b)] require that the Department evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward and may include various factors. Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(d)-(f)] also require the Department to monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals. Monitoring must include: ? Reviewing financial and programmatic reports. ? Following up and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award. ? Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity, as required by 2 CFR 200.521. ? Federal regulation [2 CFR 200.303] states that the Department, as a federal grant recipient, must ?establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulation, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? The Department?s internal control policies and procedures require the Internal Audit Division to obtain and review single audit certification forms, whereby subrecipients are required to certify whether they are subject to a Single Audit. Internal Audit Division staff are required to review each certification and related Single Audit report, as applicable, and perform follow-up activities related to deficiencies and audit findings. ? Additionally, the Department is required to report the total amount of federal awards expended to the Office of the State Controller (OSC) via the Exhibit K1, Schedule of Federal Assistance. The Exhibit K1 is the document through which state departments report federal expenditure information to the OSC, including separate columns to indicate types of expenditures, for statewide compilation and reporting. WHAT PROBLEMS DID THE AUDIT WORK IDENTIFY? We identified issues related to two of the five (40 percent) Program subrecipients identified by the Department for Fiscal Year 2020 as follows: ? The Department did not take sufficient steps to address one subrecipient?s failure to obtain a 2019 Single Audit. Specifically, the subrecipient received approximately $78,500 in pass-through Program funding from the Department and communicated to the Department in its single audit certification for the year ending December 31, 2019, that it was subject to a Single Audit; however, that audit had not been conducted as of the completion of our Fiscal Year 2020 audit testwork in April 2021. While it appeared that the Department communicated various times with the subrecipient about the missing audit, the Department did not assess possible impacts from the missing audit or take any action to institute alternate monitoring procedures of the subrecipient. ? For the second subrecipient tested, the Department inappropriately considered the entity to be a subrecipient rather than a vendor and incorrectly reported $20,936 in funds paid to the entity as subrecipient expenditures on its Exhibit K1 submitted to the OSC. WHY DID THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR? The Department?s subrecipient policies and procedures are voluminous and performed throughout multiple divisions within the Department. Therefore, the results of monitoring procedures performed are documented in various areas and not contained in one central location. The Department also does not have policies and procedures in place to identify appropriate actions to be taken when issues are identified. In addition, the Department lacks a process for analyzing the types of entities it is contracting with for the Program in order to separately identify the entities as vendors or subrecipients; rather, staff indicated that, during the contracting process, all contract expenditures related to this Program are recorded as subrecipient expenditures, including service-related or vendor contracts. WHY DO THESE PROBLEMS MATTER? Performing timely and appropriate identification and monitoring of subrecipients, including ensuring that they undergo required Single Audits, provides the Department with a method to identify federal grant-related issues and to ensure its compliance with federal subrecipient monitoring requirements. By taking appropriate actions to address the results of its monitoring, the Department can mitigate the risk of providing continuing funding to entities that may not be using funds in accordance with Program requirements. This is particularly important because the Department passes 97 percent of these Program funds to subrecipients. The Department?s failure to comply with federal requirements could result in a loss of funding from the federal government. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table RECOMMENDATION 2020-075 The Department of Transportation (Department) should ensure that it improves its internal controls over, and complies with, federal Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program requirements for subrecipient monitoring by: A Ensuring that subrecipient monitoring policies and procedures are centralized, condensed, and available to all personnel who are responsible for performing subrecipient monitoring activities. The policies and procedures should clearly list responsibilities for each division within the Department and be inclusive of all monitoring activities performed and contain clear directives for acting on subrecipients? failure to comply with requirements, including providing its single audit report, by assessing possible impacts from the noncompliance and instituting appropriate alternative procedures. B Implementing a process for analyzing its contracted entities during the contracting and awarding process by reviewing the nature and terms of contracts, separately identifying the contracted entities as vendors or subrecipients, and recording the contract expenditures appropriately based on this assessment. RESPONSE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION A AGREE. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JULY 2022. CDOT will work with various divisions to devise a plan that will comply with this finding and the recommendations noted within. This plan shall include identifying a centralized location for all policies and procedures related to subrecipient monitoring. We will look at all policies and procedures to ensure they clearly identify responsibilities and requirements for non-compliance. B AGREE. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JULY 2022. CDOT will work with various divisions to devise a plan that will comply with this finding and the recommendations noted within. This plan shall include establishing a process by which an analysis of contracted entities will be performed to identify and properly record entities as a vendor or subrecipient.
The following finding and recommendation relating to an internal control deficiency classified as a Significant Deficiency was communicated to the Department of Transportation (Department) in the previous year and has not been remediated as of June 30, 2022 because the original implementation date provided by the Department was in a subsequent fiscal year. This complete finding and recommendation can be found within the original report and the complete recommendation can be found within Section IV: Prior Audit Recommendations of this report. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Finding 2021-068 The following finding and recommendation relating to an internal control deficiency classified as a Significant Deficiency was communicated to the Department in the previous year and has not been remediated as of June 30, 2021, because the original implementation date provided by the Department is in a subsequent fiscal year. This complete finding and recommendation can be found in the original report and Section III: Prior Federal Recommendations of this report. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table. Finding 2020-075 FORMULA GRANTS FOR RURAL AREAS?INTERNAL CONTROLS AND COMPLIANCE WITH SUBRECIPIENT MONITORING The Department received funding from the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) for the Program during Fiscal Year 2020 and expended approximately $26.8 million under the Program; the expenditures included approximately $16.9 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The objective of this Program is to initiate, improve, or continue public transportation services in rural areas. FTA provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys, and ferries. FTA also oversees safety measures and helps develop next-generation technology research. Approximately $26.0 million (97 percent) of the Program funds expended by the Department were passed through to subrecipients in order to carry out a portion of the Program. WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF OUR AUDIT WORK AND WHAT WORK WAS PERFORMED? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the Department had effective internal controls in place during Fiscal Year 2020 over the Program, and complied with the Program?s subrecipient monitoring activities. As part of our audit work, we reviewed the Department?s internal controls over compliance for the Program?s subrecipient monitoring. In addition, we tested a random sample of five of 45 Program subrecipients for Fiscal Year 2020 to determine whether the subrecipient monitoring procedures the Department performed during the year were compliant with federal requirements. HOW WERE THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT WORK MEASURED? Our audit work was designed to measure the results of compliance with the following criteria: ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(b)] require that the Department evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward and may include various factors. Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(d)-(f)] also require the Department to monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals. Monitoring must include: ? Reviewing financial and programmatic reports. ? Following up and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award. ? Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity, as required by 2 CFR 200.521. ? Federal regulation [2 CFR 200.303] states that the Department, as a federal grant recipient, must ?establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulation, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? The Department?s internal control policies and procedures require the Internal Audit Division to obtain and review single audit certification forms, whereby subrecipients are required to certify whether they are subject to a Single Audit. Internal Audit Division staff are required to review each certification and related Single Audit report, as applicable, and perform follow-up activities related to deficiencies and audit findings. ? Additionally, the Department is required to report the total amount of federal awards expended to the Office of the State Controller (OSC) via the Exhibit K1, Schedule of Federal Assistance. The Exhibit K1 is the document through which state departments report federal expenditure information to the OSC, including separate columns to indicate types of expenditures, for statewide compilation and reporting. WHAT PROBLEMS DID THE AUDIT WORK IDENTIFY? We identified issues related to two of the five (40 percent) Program subrecipients identified by the Department for Fiscal Year 2020 as follows: ? The Department did not take sufficient steps to address one subrecipient?s failure to obtain a 2019 Single Audit. Specifically, the subrecipient received approximately $78,500 in pass-through Program funding from the Department and communicated to the Department in its single audit certification for the year ending December 31, 2019, that it was subject to a Single Audit; however, that audit had not been conducted as of the completion of our Fiscal Year 2020 audit testwork in April 2021. While it appeared that the Department communicated various times with the subrecipient about the missing audit, the Department did not assess possible impacts from the missing audit or take any action to institute alternate monitoring procedures of the subrecipient. ? For the second subrecipient tested, the Department inappropriately considered the entity to be a subrecipient rather than a vendor and incorrectly reported $20,936 in funds paid to the entity as subrecipient expenditures on its Exhibit K1 submitted to the OSC. WHY DID THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR? The Department?s subrecipient policies and procedures are voluminous and performed throughout multiple divisions within the Department. Therefore, the results of monitoring procedures performed are documented in various areas and not contained in one central location. The Department also does not have policies and procedures in place to identify appropriate actions to be taken when issues are identified. In addition, the Department lacks a process for analyzing the types of entities it is contracting with for the Program in order to separately identify the entities as vendors or subrecipients; rather, staff indicated that, during the contracting process, all contract expenditures related to this Program are recorded as subrecipient expenditures, including service-related or vendor contracts. WHY DO THESE PROBLEMS MATTER? Performing timely and appropriate identification and monitoring of subrecipients, including ensuring that they undergo required Single Audits, provides the Department with a method to identify federal grant-related issues and to ensure its compliance with federal subrecipient monitoring requirements. By taking appropriate actions to address the results of its monitoring, the Department can mitigate the risk of providing continuing funding to entities that may not be using funds in accordance with Program requirements. This is particularly important because the Department passes 97 percent of these Program funds to subrecipients. The Department?s failure to comply with federal requirements could result in a loss of funding from the federal government. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table RECOMMENDATION 2020-075 The Department of Transportation (Department) should ensure that it improves its internal controls over, and complies with, federal Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program requirements for subrecipient monitoring by: A Ensuring that subrecipient monitoring policies and procedures are centralized, condensed, and available to all personnel who are responsible for performing subrecipient monitoring activities. The policies and procedures should clearly list responsibilities for each division within the Department and be inclusive of all monitoring activities performed and contain clear directives for acting on subrecipients? failure to comply with requirements, including providing its single audit report, by assessing possible impacts from the noncompliance and instituting appropriate alternative procedures. B Implementing a process for analyzing its contracted entities during the contracting and awarding process by reviewing the nature and terms of contracts, separately identifying the contracted entities as vendors or subrecipients, and recording the contract expenditures appropriately based on this assessment. RESPONSE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION A AGREE. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JULY 2022. CDOT will work with various divisions to devise a plan that will comply with this finding and the recommendations noted within. This plan shall include identifying a centralized location for all policies and procedures related to subrecipient monitoring. We will look at all policies and procedures to ensure they clearly identify responsibilities and requirements for non-compliance. B AGREE. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JULY 2022. CDOT will work with various divisions to devise a plan that will comply with this finding and the recommendations noted within. This plan shall include establishing a process by which an analysis of contracted entities will be performed to identify and properly record entities as a vendor or subrecipient.
The following finding and recommendation relating to an internal control deficiency classified as a Significant Deficiency was communicated to the Department of Transportation (Department) in the previous year and has not been remediated as of June 30, 2022 because the original implementation date provided by the Department was in a subsequent fiscal year. This complete finding and recommendation can be found within the original report and the complete recommendation can be found within Section IV: Prior Audit Recommendations of this report. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Finding 2021-068 The following finding and recommendation relating to an internal control deficiency classified as a Significant Deficiency was communicated to the Department in the previous year and has not been remediated as of June 30, 2021, because the original implementation date provided by the Department is in a subsequent fiscal year. This complete finding and recommendation can be found in the original report and Section III: Prior Federal Recommendations of this report. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table. Finding 2020-075 FORMULA GRANTS FOR RURAL AREAS?INTERNAL CONTROLS AND COMPLIANCE WITH SUBRECIPIENT MONITORING The Department received funding from the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) for the Program during Fiscal Year 2020 and expended approximately $26.8 million under the Program; the expenditures included approximately $16.9 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The objective of this Program is to initiate, improve, or continue public transportation services in rural areas. FTA provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys, and ferries. FTA also oversees safety measures and helps develop next-generation technology research. Approximately $26.0 million (97 percent) of the Program funds expended by the Department were passed through to subrecipients in order to carry out a portion of the Program. WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF OUR AUDIT WORK AND WHAT WORK WAS PERFORMED? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the Department had effective internal controls in place during Fiscal Year 2020 over the Program, and complied with the Program?s subrecipient monitoring activities. As part of our audit work, we reviewed the Department?s internal controls over compliance for the Program?s subrecipient monitoring. In addition, we tested a random sample of five of 45 Program subrecipients for Fiscal Year 2020 to determine whether the subrecipient monitoring procedures the Department performed during the year were compliant with federal requirements. HOW WERE THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT WORK MEASURED? Our audit work was designed to measure the results of compliance with the following criteria: ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(b)] require that the Department evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward and may include various factors. Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(d)-(f)] also require the Department to monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals. Monitoring must include: ? Reviewing financial and programmatic reports. ? Following up and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award. ? Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity, as required by 2 CFR 200.521. ? Federal regulation [2 CFR 200.303] states that the Department, as a federal grant recipient, must ?establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulation, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? The Department?s internal control policies and procedures require the Internal Audit Division to obtain and review single audit certification forms, whereby subrecipients are required to certify whether they are subject to a Single Audit. Internal Audit Division staff are required to review each certification and related Single Audit report, as applicable, and perform follow-up activities related to deficiencies and audit findings. ? Additionally, the Department is required to report the total amount of federal awards expended to the Office of the State Controller (OSC) via the Exhibit K1, Schedule of Federal Assistance. The Exhibit K1 is the document through which state departments report federal expenditure information to the OSC, including separate columns to indicate types of expenditures, for statewide compilation and reporting. WHAT PROBLEMS DID THE AUDIT WORK IDENTIFY? We identified issues related to two of the five (40 percent) Program subrecipients identified by the Department for Fiscal Year 2020 as follows: ? The Department did not take sufficient steps to address one subrecipient?s failure to obtain a 2019 Single Audit. Specifically, the subrecipient received approximately $78,500 in pass-through Program funding from the Department and communicated to the Department in its single audit certification for the year ending December 31, 2019, that it was subject to a Single Audit; however, that audit had not been conducted as of the completion of our Fiscal Year 2020 audit testwork in April 2021. While it appeared that the Department communicated various times with the subrecipient about the missing audit, the Department did not assess possible impacts from the missing audit or take any action to institute alternate monitoring procedures of the subrecipient. ? For the second subrecipient tested, the Department inappropriately considered the entity to be a subrecipient rather than a vendor and incorrectly reported $20,936 in funds paid to the entity as subrecipient expenditures on its Exhibit K1 submitted to the OSC. WHY DID THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR? The Department?s subrecipient policies and procedures are voluminous and performed throughout multiple divisions within the Department. Therefore, the results of monitoring procedures performed are documented in various areas and not contained in one central location. The Department also does not have policies and procedures in place to identify appropriate actions to be taken when issues are identified. In addition, the Department lacks a process for analyzing the types of entities it is contracting with for the Program in order to separately identify the entities as vendors or subrecipients; rather, staff indicated that, during the contracting process, all contract expenditures related to this Program are recorded as subrecipient expenditures, including service-related or vendor contracts. WHY DO THESE PROBLEMS MATTER? Performing timely and appropriate identification and monitoring of subrecipients, including ensuring that they undergo required Single Audits, provides the Department with a method to identify federal grant-related issues and to ensure its compliance with federal subrecipient monitoring requirements. By taking appropriate actions to address the results of its monitoring, the Department can mitigate the risk of providing continuing funding to entities that may not be using funds in accordance with Program requirements. This is particularly important because the Department passes 97 percent of these Program funds to subrecipients. The Department?s failure to comply with federal requirements could result in a loss of funding from the federal government. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table RECOMMENDATION 2020-075 The Department of Transportation (Department) should ensure that it improves its internal controls over, and complies with, federal Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program requirements for subrecipient monitoring by: A Ensuring that subrecipient monitoring policies and procedures are centralized, condensed, and available to all personnel who are responsible for performing subrecipient monitoring activities. The policies and procedures should clearly list responsibilities for each division within the Department and be inclusive of all monitoring activities performed and contain clear directives for acting on subrecipients? failure to comply with requirements, including providing its single audit report, by assessing possible impacts from the noncompliance and instituting appropriate alternative procedures. B Implementing a process for analyzing its contracted entities during the contracting and awarding process by reviewing the nature and terms of contracts, separately identifying the contracted entities as vendors or subrecipients, and recording the contract expenditures appropriately based on this assessment. RESPONSE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION A AGREE. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JULY 2022. CDOT will work with various divisions to devise a plan that will comply with this finding and the recommendations noted within. This plan shall include identifying a centralized location for all policies and procedures related to subrecipient monitoring. We will look at all policies and procedures to ensure they clearly identify responsibilities and requirements for non-compliance. B AGREE. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JULY 2022. CDOT will work with various divisions to devise a plan that will comply with this finding and the recommendations noted within. This plan shall include establishing a process by which an analysis of contracted entities will be performed to identify and properly record entities as a vendor or subrecipient.
The following finding and recommendation relating to an internal control deficiency classified as a Significant Deficiency was communicated to the Department of Transportation (Department) in the previous year and has not been remediated as of June 30, 2022 because the original implementation date provided by the Department was in a subsequent fiscal year. This complete finding and recommendation can be found within the original report and the complete recommendation can be found within Section IV: Prior Audit Recommendations of this report. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table Finding 2021-068 The following finding and recommendation relating to an internal control deficiency classified as a Significant Deficiency was communicated to the Department in the previous year and has not been remediated as of June 30, 2021, because the original implementation date provided by the Department is in a subsequent fiscal year. This complete finding and recommendation can be found in the original report and Section III: Prior Federal Recommendations of this report. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table. Finding 2020-075 FORMULA GRANTS FOR RURAL AREAS?INTERNAL CONTROLS AND COMPLIANCE WITH SUBRECIPIENT MONITORING The Department received funding from the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) for the Program during Fiscal Year 2020 and expended approximately $26.8 million under the Program; the expenditures included approximately $16.9 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The objective of this Program is to initiate, improve, or continue public transportation services in rural areas. FTA provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys, and ferries. FTA also oversees safety measures and helps develop next-generation technology research. Approximately $26.0 million (97 percent) of the Program funds expended by the Department were passed through to subrecipients in order to carry out a portion of the Program. WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF OUR AUDIT WORK AND WHAT WORK WAS PERFORMED? The purpose of the audit work was to determine whether the Department had effective internal controls in place during Fiscal Year 2020 over the Program, and complied with the Program?s subrecipient monitoring activities. As part of our audit work, we reviewed the Department?s internal controls over compliance for the Program?s subrecipient monitoring. In addition, we tested a random sample of five of 45 Program subrecipients for Fiscal Year 2020 to determine whether the subrecipient monitoring procedures the Department performed during the year were compliant with federal requirements. HOW WERE THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT WORK MEASURED? Our audit work was designed to measure the results of compliance with the following criteria: ? Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(b)] require that the Department evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring related to the subaward and may include various factors. Federal regulations [2 CFR 200.332(d)-(f)] also require the Department to monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward, and achieves performance goals. Monitoring must include: ? Reviewing financial and programmatic reports. ? Following up and ensuring the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award. ? Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity, as required by 2 CFR 200.521. ? Federal regulation [2 CFR 200.303] states that the Department, as a federal grant recipient, must ?establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulation, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.? The Department?s internal control policies and procedures require the Internal Audit Division to obtain and review single audit certification forms, whereby subrecipients are required to certify whether they are subject to a Single Audit. Internal Audit Division staff are required to review each certification and related Single Audit report, as applicable, and perform follow-up activities related to deficiencies and audit findings. ? Additionally, the Department is required to report the total amount of federal awards expended to the Office of the State Controller (OSC) via the Exhibit K1, Schedule of Federal Assistance. The Exhibit K1 is the document through which state departments report federal expenditure information to the OSC, including separate columns to indicate types of expenditures, for statewide compilation and reporting. WHAT PROBLEMS DID THE AUDIT WORK IDENTIFY? We identified issues related to two of the five (40 percent) Program subrecipients identified by the Department for Fiscal Year 2020 as follows: ? The Department did not take sufficient steps to address one subrecipient?s failure to obtain a 2019 Single Audit. Specifically, the subrecipient received approximately $78,500 in pass-through Program funding from the Department and communicated to the Department in its single audit certification for the year ending December 31, 2019, that it was subject to a Single Audit; however, that audit had not been conducted as of the completion of our Fiscal Year 2020 audit testwork in April 2021. While it appeared that the Department communicated various times with the subrecipient about the missing audit, the Department did not assess possible impacts from the missing audit or take any action to institute alternate monitoring procedures of the subrecipient. ? For the second subrecipient tested, the Department inappropriately considered the entity to be a subrecipient rather than a vendor and incorrectly reported $20,936 in funds paid to the entity as subrecipient expenditures on its Exhibit K1 submitted to the OSC. WHY DID THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR? The Department?s subrecipient policies and procedures are voluminous and performed throughout multiple divisions within the Department. Therefore, the results of monitoring procedures performed are documented in various areas and not contained in one central location. The Department also does not have policies and procedures in place to identify appropriate actions to be taken when issues are identified. In addition, the Department lacks a process for analyzing the types of entities it is contracting with for the Program in order to separately identify the entities as vendors or subrecipients; rather, staff indicated that, during the contracting process, all contract expenditures related to this Program are recorded as subrecipient expenditures, including service-related or vendor contracts. WHY DO THESE PROBLEMS MATTER? Performing timely and appropriate identification and monitoring of subrecipients, including ensuring that they undergo required Single Audits, provides the Department with a method to identify federal grant-related issues and to ensure its compliance with federal subrecipient monitoring requirements. By taking appropriate actions to address the results of its monitoring, the Department can mitigate the risk of providing continuing funding to entities that may not be using funds in accordance with Program requirements. This is particularly important because the Department passes 97 percent of these Program funds to subrecipients. The Department?s failure to comply with federal requirements could result in a loss of funding from the federal government. See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/table RECOMMENDATION 2020-075 The Department of Transportation (Department) should ensure that it improves its internal controls over, and complies with, federal Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program requirements for subrecipient monitoring by: A Ensuring that subrecipient monitoring policies and procedures are centralized, condensed, and available to all personnel who are responsible for performing subrecipient monitoring activities. The policies and procedures should clearly list responsibilities for each division within the Department and be inclusive of all monitoring activities performed and contain clear directives for acting on subrecipients? failure to comply with requirements, including providing its single audit report, by assessing possible impacts from the noncompliance and instituting appropriate alternative procedures. B Implementing a process for analyzing its contracted entities during the contracting and awarding process by reviewing the nature and terms of contracts, separately identifying the contracted entities as vendors or subrecipients, and recording the contract expenditures appropriately based on this assessment. RESPONSE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION A AGREE. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JULY 2022. CDOT will work with various divisions to devise a plan that will comply with this finding and the recommendations noted within. This plan shall include identifying a centralized location for all policies and procedures related to subrecipient monitoring. We will look at all policies and procedures to ensure they clearly identify responsibilities and requirements for non-compliance. B AGREE. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JULY 2022. CDOT will work with various divisions to devise a plan that will comply with this finding and the recommendations noted within. This plan shall include establishing a process by which an analysis of contracted entities will be performed to identify and properly record entities as a vendor or subrecipient.
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Subrecipient Monitoring and Material Noncompliance Research and Development Cluster Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.331, a pass-through entity must make a case-by-case determination whether each agreement it makes for the disbursement of federal program funds casts the party receiving the funds in the role of a subrecipient or a contractor. Additionally, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.332(b), the pass-through entity must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward for the purpose of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring. In furtherance of this, the pass-through entity should inquire as to whether or not the subrecipient was subject to a Single Audit. If the subrecipient was subject to a Single Audit, the pass-through entity must request the Single Audit report and review for any findings or questioned costs. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.521, the pass-through entity should issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as applicable. Condition: The Organization does not document its evaluation of each party that it engages in business with as to whether they are a contractor or a subrecipient. For three (3) of the three (3) such parties selected for testing, the Organization did not maintain documentation regarding whether the entity was a subrecipient or a contractor. Furthermore, as it relates to the monitoring of entities determined to be subrecipients, the Organization has not formally documented its subrecipient monitoring procedures to ensure that subrecipients are in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subawards. For three (3) of the three (3) subrecipients selected for testing, the Organization did not inquire as to whether the entity was subject to a Single Audit. Consequently, the Organization did not request the Single Audit report nor did they review them for any findings pertinent to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity. Cause: The Organization did not have an effective process in place to determine whether entities receiving pass-through funds are subrecipients or contractors. However, it was noted that the Organization implemented a process during the year to properly document whether a company is a contractor or a subrecipient. Furthermore, once that determination has been made, the Organization did not have a process in place for evaluating subrecipients and their compliance with the applicable requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Effect or potential effect: Lack of proper consideration of subrecipient or contractor status may result in the Organization improperly classifying a recipient of federal funds, which may impact the recipient’s compliance with the Uniform Guidance. Furthermore, by not performing adequate monitoring over subrecipients, the Organization is not appropriately monitoring whether subrecipients are in compliance with grant requirements. Questioned costs: None. Context: Our sample was not intended to be statistically valid. Recommendation: The Organization should have instituted a process whereby all entities that receive federal funds have proper documentation supporting their classification as a subrecipient or a contractor for the entire year. Additionally, the Organization should maintain a standardized checklist for all such entities that support their rationale for the classification. This checklist should be prepared by an employee with knowledge of the grant and approved by a second individual. Furthermore, as it relates to subrecipient monitoring, the Organization should institute an annual process whereby all subrecipients are asked whether they received a Single Audit. If the subrecipient was subject to a Single Audit, the Organization should receive and review the Single Audit report. The reviewer should submit a memorandum of any findings relevant to their federal grant, which should then be submitted to the project manager or other designated person for approval. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management's response is reported in "Management's Views and Corrective Action Plan" included at the end of this report. Identification of prior year finding: 2021-006
Reference Number: 2022-011 Category of Finding: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Instance of Noncompliance State Administering Department: California Department of Public Health (Public Health) Assistance Listing Number: 93.323 Federal Program Title: Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Federal Award Number and Year: NU50CK000539; 2021 Criteria Title 2 - Grants and Agreements. Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements. §200.303 Internal controls (2 CFR 200.303): 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). Title 2 - Grants and Agreements. Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements. §200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities (2 CFR 200.332): All pass-through entities must: (b) 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 described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, which may include consideration of such factors as: (1) The subrecipient’s prior experience with the same or similar subawards: (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a Single Audit in accordance with Subpart F of this part, and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems; and (4) The extent and results of Federal awarding agency monitoring (e.g., if the subrecipient also receives Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency). (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient, highlighting the status of actions planned or taken to address Single Audit findings related to the particular subaward. (3) Issuing a management decision for applicable audit findings pertaining only to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by §200.521. (4) The pass-through entity is responsible for resolving audit findings specifically related to the subaward and not responsible for resolving cross-cutting findings. If a subrecipient has a current Single Audit report posted in the Federal Audit Clearinghouse and has not otherwise been excluded from receipt of Federal funding (e.g., has been debarred or suspended), the pass-through entity may rely on the subrecipient's cognizant audit agency or cognizant oversight agency to perform audit follow-up and make management decisions related to cross-cutting findings in accordance with section §200.513(a)(3)(vii). Such reliance does not eliminate the responsibility of the pass-through entity to issue subawards that conform to agency and award-specific requirements, to manage risk through ongoing subaward monitoring, and to monitor the status of the findings that are specifically related to the subaward. (f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient’s Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in §200.501. (g) Consider whether the results of the subrecipient’s audits, on-site reviews, or other monitoring indicate conditions that necessitate adjustments to the pass-through entity’s own records. Condition Public Health did not establish a formal risk assessment process over its subrecipients of federal awards to determine the frequency and extent of subrecipient monitoring to be performed. While Public Health received reimbursement invoices from subrecipients, there did not appear to be other financial or programmatic monitoring to verify subrecipents compliance with applicable requirements. In addition, Public Health did not obtain Single Audit reports from those subrecipients as required. Identification as a Repeat Finding Finding 2021-014 was reported in the immediate prior year. Cause Procedures to perform the required subrecipient monitoring were not established nor performed by Public Health. Effect By not properly evaluating the risk of noncompliance, Public Health may inadvertently award grant funds to subrecipients who lack the necessary mechanisms or understanding to adhere to federal statutes. This increases the likelihood of noncompliance arising during the performance of the grant-funded activities. Furthermore, failure to perform monitoring procedures or obtain Single Audit reports increases the risk for not properly identifying subrecipient program control weaknesses, noncompliance, and performing sufficient follow-up on any subrecipient corrective action. Questioned Costs No questioned costs were identified. Context Disbursements to subrecipients for the ELC program totaled $301,107,041, or 31.0% of total reported program expenditures. Recommendation Public Health should establish and document formal procedures for conducting risk assessments of its subrecipients, including criteria for evaluating organizational capacity, financial stability, compliance history, and programmatic capabilities. Public Health should also develop and implement specific subrecipient monitoring procedures and establish a process for obtaining Single Audit reports from its subrecipients. Furthermore, a monitoring mechanism should be implemented to track compliance with the single audit mandate among subrecipients, including regular follow-ups and documentation of communication efforts. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Response and Corrective Action Plan” included in a separate section at the end of this report.
Federal Awarding Agency: USTreasuryImpact: Significant Deficiency, NoncomplianceAL Number and Title: 21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) ? COVID-19Federal Award Number: SLT0031, SLT0073Applicable Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient MonitoringCondition:DCCED staff did not issue timely management decisions for three of the four CRF single audit findings requiring follow-up during FY 22.Context:Federal regulations require pass-through entities to issue a management decision for audit findings relating to federal awards provided to subrecipients. The management decision must clearly state whether or not the audit finding is sustained, the reasons for the decision, and the adequacy of the subrecipient?s proposed corrective actions to address the findings.Of the three untimely management decisions, two were issued past the six month requirement and one has not been issued as of the end of FY 22. For the two management decisions issued past the six month requirement, one was two months and the other was 11 months past the requirement as of the end of FY 22.Cause:Due to staff oversight, DCCED?s single audit procedures did not require management decisions to be issued within the six month requirement. Further, the procedures did not require a supervisory review.Criteria:Title 2 CFR 200.332(d)(3) states that pass-through entities? monitoring of subrecipients must include issuing a management decision for audit findings that relate to federal awards provided to subrecipients.Title 2 CFR 200.521(d) states a management decision must be issued within six months of acceptance of the audit report by the federal audit clearinghouse.Effect:The lack of timely management decisions may result in subrecipients not taking appropriate corrective action. Noncompliance with federal regulations may result in the federal awarding agency imposing additional conditions or taking corrective action, including additional reporting requirements.Questioned Costs:NoneRecommendation:DCCED?s DAS director should revise single audit procedures to ensure management decisions are issued within six months. Further, procedures should include adequate supervisory review.Views of Responsible Officials:Management agrees with the finding.
FINDING 2022-206The Department did not complete required subrecipient monitoring of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund of the Education Stabilization Fund.Type of Finding: Material Noncompliance, Material WeaknessAssistance Listing Title: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund; Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools; ARPA ESSER III; ARPA ESSER - Homeless Children and YouthAssistance Listing Number: 84.425D; 84.425R; 84.425U; 84.425WFederal Award Number: S425D210043; S425D200043; S425R210024; S425U210043; S425W210013Program Year: January 5, 2021 ? September 30, 2023; May 18, 2020 ? September 30, 2022; February 11, 2021 ? September 30, 2023; March 24, 2021 ? September 30, 2024; April 23, 2021 ? September 30, 2024Federal Agency: Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Subrecipient MonitoringQuestioned Costs: NoneCriteria: The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, superseding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-102, Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments, describes the pass-through entity?s responsibility for administering necessary requirements on subrecipients so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal regulations.Specifically, 2 CFR 200.332(d) and 2 CFR 25.200 identify the requirements for the Department as the pass- through entity in providing subawards. This includes communication of certain information, such as the subrecipient?s unique entity identifier and required registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). In addition, the Department must evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance with federal statutes and the terms and conditions of the subaward when determining the extent of subrecipient monitoring to be completed to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that the subaward performance goals are achieved. In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required by the terms and conditions of the award, monitoring must include a review of financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity, follow up on any deficiencies identified in the subrecipient that are detected through audits, on-site reviews and other means, and issuing a management decision for audit findings, as required by 2 CFR 200.521.Finally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires the Department to establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the Department is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award.Condition: The Department initially received ESSER funding in fiscal year 2021 and integrated ESSER monitoring with the general subrecipient monitoring used for other federal programs. The Department?s 2020- 2021 Monitoring Tool included only one indicator related to the ESSER program and did not adequately address all subrecipient monitoring requirements. However, in fiscal year 2021, the Department determined that the existing monitoring procedures were not robust enough for the additional requirements associated with ESSER subrecipient monitoring and discontinued those procedures without implementing any alternative procedures during fiscal year 2022.This was a finding included in the Single Audit Report for the year ended June 30, 2021, and the Department provided a corrective action plan to monitor subrecipients. However, the Department did not implement the plan until after the audit period, in fiscal year 2023.Cause: The Department realized the current procedures were not sufficient to meet the monitoring requirements of ESSER and indicated a monitoring process specific to the ESSER program compliance requirements was being developed; however, it was not developed in a timely manner to comply with federal requirements.Effect: The Department is not in compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Without adequate monitoring of subrecipients, the Department is exposed to an increased risk of making improper payments for unallowable or unsupported costs.Recommendation: We recommend that the Department implement procedures to ensure compliance with all requirements as a pass-through entity. We also recommend that the Department design and implement effective control procedures to ensure subrecipient monitoring activities are complete and appropriate.Management?s View: The Department agrees with this finding.Corrective Action: It was not until the end of the 2022 legislative session that spending authority was given to the State Department of Education to use ARP ESSER administrative funds to hire additional staff to meet the robust requirements identified by the U.S. Department of Education. Up to that point, only one full-time person was handling all of the needs associated with ESSER funds. Since then, two positions have been hired. The ESSER Data and Reporting Coordinator began in April 2022, and the ESSER Monitoring Coordinator began in June 2022. While developing the monitoring procedures began in July 2022, it was after the audit timeframe. The Department now has in place all ESSER monitoring policies and procedures and will complete year one monitoring before May 5, 2023.Auditor?s Concluding Remarks: We thank the Department for its cooperation and assistance throughout the audit.
FINDING 2022-206The Department did not complete required subrecipient monitoring of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund of the Education Stabilization Fund.Type of Finding: Material Noncompliance, Material WeaknessAssistance Listing Title: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund; Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools; ARPA ESSER III; ARPA ESSER - Homeless Children and YouthAssistance Listing Number: 84.425D; 84.425R; 84.425U; 84.425WFederal Award Number: S425D210043; S425D200043; S425R210024; S425U210043; S425W210013Program Year: January 5, 2021 ? September 30, 2023; May 18, 2020 ? September 30, 2022; February 11, 2021 ? September 30, 2023; March 24, 2021 ? September 30, 2024; April 23, 2021 ? September 30, 2024Federal Agency: Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Subrecipient MonitoringQuestioned Costs: NoneCriteria: The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, superseding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-102, Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments, describes the pass-through entity?s responsibility for administering necessary requirements on subrecipients so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal regulations.Specifically, 2 CFR 200.332(d) and 2 CFR 25.200 identify the requirements for the Department as the pass- through entity in providing subawards. This includes communication of certain information, such as the subrecipient?s unique entity identifier and required registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). In addition, the Department must evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance with federal statutes and the terms and conditions of the subaward when determining the extent of subrecipient monitoring to be completed to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that the subaward performance goals are achieved. In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required by the terms and conditions of the award, monitoring must include a review of financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity, follow up on any deficiencies identified in the subrecipient that are detected through audits, on-site reviews and other means, and issuing a management decision for audit findings, as required by 2 CFR 200.521.Finally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires the Department to establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the Department is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award.Condition: The Department initially received ESSER funding in fiscal year 2021 and integrated ESSER monitoring with the general subrecipient monitoring used for other federal programs. The Department?s 2020- 2021 Monitoring Tool included only one indicator related to the ESSER program and did not adequately address all subrecipient monitoring requirements. However, in fiscal year 2021, the Department determined that the existing monitoring procedures were not robust enough for the additional requirements associated with ESSER subrecipient monitoring and discontinued those procedures without implementing any alternative procedures during fiscal year 2022.This was a finding included in the Single Audit Report for the year ended June 30, 2021, and the Department provided a corrective action plan to monitor subrecipients. However, the Department did not implement the plan until after the audit period, in fiscal year 2023.Cause: The Department realized the current procedures were not sufficient to meet the monitoring requirements of ESSER and indicated a monitoring process specific to the ESSER program compliance requirements was being developed; however, it was not developed in a timely manner to comply with federal requirements.Effect: The Department is not in compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Without adequate monitoring of subrecipients, the Department is exposed to an increased risk of making improper payments for unallowable or unsupported costs.Recommendation: We recommend that the Department implement procedures to ensure compliance with all requirements as a pass-through entity. We also recommend that the Department design and implement effective control procedures to ensure subrecipient monitoring activities are complete and appropriate.Management?s View: The Department agrees with this finding.Corrective Action: It was not until the end of the 2022 legislative session that spending authority was given to the State Department of Education to use ARP ESSER administrative funds to hire additional staff to meet the robust requirements identified by the U.S. Department of Education. Up to that point, only one full-time person was handling all of the needs associated with ESSER funds. Since then, two positions have been hired. The ESSER Data and Reporting Coordinator began in April 2022, and the ESSER Monitoring Coordinator began in June 2022. While developing the monitoring procedures began in July 2022, it was after the audit timeframe. The Department now has in place all ESSER monitoring policies and procedures and will complete year one monitoring before May 5, 2023.Auditor?s Concluding Remarks: We thank the Department for its cooperation and assistance throughout the audit.
FINDING 2022-206The Department did not complete required subrecipient monitoring of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund of the Education Stabilization Fund.Type of Finding: Material Noncompliance, Material WeaknessAssistance Listing Title: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund; Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools; ARPA ESSER III; ARPA ESSER - Homeless Children and YouthAssistance Listing Number: 84.425D; 84.425R; 84.425U; 84.425WFederal Award Number: S425D210043; S425D200043; S425R210024; S425U210043; S425W210013Program Year: January 5, 2021 ? September 30, 2023; May 18, 2020 ? September 30, 2022; February 11, 2021 ? September 30, 2023; March 24, 2021 ? September 30, 2024; April 23, 2021 ? September 30, 2024Federal Agency: Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Subrecipient MonitoringQuestioned Costs: NoneCriteria: The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, superseding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-102, Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments, describes the pass-through entity?s responsibility for administering necessary requirements on subrecipients so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal regulations.Specifically, 2 CFR 200.332(d) and 2 CFR 25.200 identify the requirements for the Department as the pass- through entity in providing subawards. This includes communication of certain information, such as the subrecipient?s unique entity identifier and required registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). In addition, the Department must evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance with federal statutes and the terms and conditions of the subaward when determining the extent of subrecipient monitoring to be completed to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that the subaward performance goals are achieved. In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required by the terms and conditions of the award, monitoring must include a review of financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity, follow up on any deficiencies identified in the subrecipient that are detected through audits, on-site reviews and other means, and issuing a management decision for audit findings, as required by 2 CFR 200.521.Finally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires the Department to establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the Department is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award.Condition: The Department initially received ESSER funding in fiscal year 2021 and integrated ESSER monitoring with the general subrecipient monitoring used for other federal programs. The Department?s 2020- 2021 Monitoring Tool included only one indicator related to the ESSER program and did not adequately address all subrecipient monitoring requirements. However, in fiscal year 2021, the Department determined that the existing monitoring procedures were not robust enough for the additional requirements associated with ESSER subrecipient monitoring and discontinued those procedures without implementing any alternative procedures during fiscal year 2022.This was a finding included in the Single Audit Report for the year ended June 30, 2021, and the Department provided a corrective action plan to monitor subrecipients. However, the Department did not implement the plan until after the audit period, in fiscal year 2023.Cause: The Department realized the current procedures were not sufficient to meet the monitoring requirements of ESSER and indicated a monitoring process specific to the ESSER program compliance requirements was being developed; however, it was not developed in a timely manner to comply with federal requirements.Effect: The Department is not in compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Without adequate monitoring of subrecipients, the Department is exposed to an increased risk of making improper payments for unallowable or unsupported costs.Recommendation: We recommend that the Department implement procedures to ensure compliance with all requirements as a pass-through entity. We also recommend that the Department design and implement effective control procedures to ensure subrecipient monitoring activities are complete and appropriate.Management?s View: The Department agrees with this finding.Corrective Action: It was not until the end of the 2022 legislative session that spending authority was given to the State Department of Education to use ARP ESSER administrative funds to hire additional staff to meet the robust requirements identified by the U.S. Department of Education. Up to that point, only one full-time person was handling all of the needs associated with ESSER funds. Since then, two positions have been hired. The ESSER Data and Reporting Coordinator began in April 2022, and the ESSER Monitoring Coordinator began in June 2022. While developing the monitoring procedures began in July 2022, it was after the audit timeframe. The Department now has in place all ESSER monitoring policies and procedures and will complete year one monitoring before May 5, 2023.Auditor?s Concluding Remarks: We thank the Department for its cooperation and assistance throughout the audit.
FINDING 2022-206The Department did not complete required subrecipient monitoring of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund of the Education Stabilization Fund.Type of Finding: Material Noncompliance, Material WeaknessAssistance Listing Title: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund; Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools; ARPA ESSER III; ARPA ESSER - Homeless Children and YouthAssistance Listing Number: 84.425D; 84.425R; 84.425U; 84.425WFederal Award Number: S425D210043; S425D200043; S425R210024; S425U210043; S425W210013Program Year: January 5, 2021 ? September 30, 2023; May 18, 2020 ? September 30, 2022; February 11, 2021 ? September 30, 2023; March 24, 2021 ? September 30, 2024; April 23, 2021 ? September 30, 2024Federal Agency: Department of EducationCompliance Requirement: Subrecipient MonitoringQuestioned Costs: NoneCriteria: The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, superseding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-102, Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments, describes the pass-through entity?s responsibility for administering necessary requirements on subrecipients so that the federal award is used in accordance with federal regulations.Specifically, 2 CFR 200.332(d) and 2 CFR 25.200 identify the requirements for the Department as the pass- through entity in providing subawards. This includes communication of certain information, such as the subrecipient?s unique entity identifier and required registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). In addition, the Department must evaluate each subrecipient?s risk of noncompliance with federal statutes and the terms and conditions of the subaward when determining the extent of subrecipient monitoring to be completed to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that the subaward performance goals are achieved. In addition to procedures identified as necessary based upon the evaluation of subrecipient risk or specifically required by the terms and conditions of the award, monitoring must include a review of financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity, follow up on any deficiencies identified in the subrecipient that are detected through audits, on-site reviews and other means, and issuing a management decision for audit findings, as required by 2 CFR 200.521.Finally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires the Department to establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the Department is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award.Condition: The Department initially received ESSER funding in fiscal year 2021 and integrated ESSER monitoring with the general subrecipient monitoring used for other federal programs. The Department?s 2020- 2021 Monitoring Tool included only one indicator related to the ESSER program and did not adequately address all subrecipient monitoring requirements. However, in fiscal year 2021, the Department determined that the existing monitoring procedures were not robust enough for the additional requirements associated with ESSER subrecipient monitoring and discontinued those procedures without implementing any alternative procedures during fiscal year 2022.This was a finding included in the Single Audit Report for the year ended June 30, 2021, and the Department provided a corrective action plan to monitor subrecipients. However, the Department did not implement the plan until after the audit period, in fiscal year 2023.Cause: The Department realized the current procedures were not sufficient to meet the monitoring requirements of ESSER and indicated a monitoring process specific to the ESSER program compliance requirements was being developed; however, it was not developed in a timely manner to comply with federal requirements.Effect: The Department is not in compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Without adequate monitoring of subrecipients, the Department is exposed to an increased risk of making improper payments for unallowable or unsupported costs.Recommendation: We recommend that the Department implement procedures to ensure compliance with all requirements as a pass-through entity. We also recommend that the Department design and implement effective control procedures to ensure subrecipient monitoring activities are complete and appropriate.Management?s View: The Department agrees with this finding.Corrective Action: It was not until the end of the 2022 legislative session that spending authority was given to the State Department of Education to use ARP ESSER administrative funds to hire additional staff to meet the robust requirements identified by the U.S. Department of Education. Up to that point, only one full-time person was handling all of the needs associated with ESSER funds. Since then, two positions have been hired. The ESSER Data and Reporting Coordinator began in April 2022, and the ESSER Monitoring Coordinator began in June 2022. While developing the monitoring procedures began in July 2022, it was after the audit timeframe. The Department now has in place all ESSER monitoring policies and procedures and will complete year one monitoring before May 5, 2023.Auditor?s Concluding Remarks: We thank the Department for its cooperation and assistance throughout the audit.
2022-007 - Noncompliance with Subrecipient Monitoring RequirementsAward Years: 2018, 2020 - 2022Award Numbers: DUE-2044358, NA18OAR4170098, OIA-2019511, OIA-2119688Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient MonitoringRepeat Finding: Yes (Prior Year Finding No. 2021-010)See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/tableCondition:For the second consecutive year, UL Lafayette did not adequately monitor subrecipients of the R&D Cluster programs. In a non-statistical sample of five subawards out of a population of 49 subawards, it was noted that for four (80%) of the subrecipients evaluated UL Lafayette was unable to provide documentation that ensured each subrecipient obtained the required audit or that the audit was reviewed so that timely and appropriate action could be taken for any findings pertaining to the federal awards. Additionally, for all five (100%) of the subrecipients evaluated, UL Lafayette could not provide evidence that the required risk analyses were performed to evaluate each subrecipients? risk of noncompliance with federal regulations and the terms of the subaward.Criteria:2 CFR 200.332(b) requires pass-through entities to 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.Per 2 CFR 200.332(f), pass-through entities are responsible for verifying that every subrecipient is audited as required by 2 CFR Part 200, subpart F when it is expected that the subrecipient's federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in CFR 200.501 of $750,000 or more in federal awards during the subrecipient?s fiscal year.2 CFR 200.332(d)(2) requires that pass-through entities follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entities detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient.2 CFR 200.332(d)(2) and (3) require pass-through entities to issue a management decision on applicable audit findings in accordance with 2 CFR 200.521, within six months after acceptance of the subrecipient?s audit report by the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate corrective action on all findings.Cause:UL Lafayette management indicated that it was working on internal procedures to adequately monitor subrecipients as result of the prior-year finding. However, management has yet to finalize and apply these procedures on all active subrecipients.Effect:Failure to properly monitor subrecipients results in noncompliance with federal regulations and increases the likelihood of improper payments which may have to be returned to the federal awarding agency.Recommendation:UL Lafayette should strengthen controls to ensure the timely review of all required subrecipient audit reports in order to evaluate the impact of any findings noted in the audits and issue management decision letters, if applicable. In addition, UL Lafayette should strengthen controls to ensure risk assessments are performed and documented on all subrecipients in accordance with federal regulations.Management?s Response and Corrective Action Plan:Management did not concur with the finding, noting it did not have sufficient time in fiscal year 2022 for corrective action and provided its progress on addressing the finding (B-83).
2022-007 - Noncompliance with Subrecipient Monitoring RequirementsAward Years: 2018, 2020 - 2022Award Numbers: DUE-2044358, NA18OAR4170098, OIA-2019511, OIA-2119688Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient MonitoringRepeat Finding: Yes (Prior Year Finding No. 2021-010)See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/tableCondition:For the second consecutive year, UL Lafayette did not adequately monitor subrecipients of the R&D Cluster programs. In a non-statistical sample of five subawards out of a population of 49 subawards, it was noted that for four (80%) of the subrecipients evaluated UL Lafayette was unable to provide documentation that ensured each subrecipient obtained the required audit or that the audit was reviewed so that timely and appropriate action could be taken for any findings pertaining to the federal awards. Additionally, for all five (100%) of the subrecipients evaluated, UL Lafayette could not provide evidence that the required risk analyses were performed to evaluate each subrecipients? risk of noncompliance with federal regulations and the terms of the subaward.Criteria:2 CFR 200.332(b) requires pass-through entities to 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.Per 2 CFR 200.332(f), pass-through entities are responsible for verifying that every subrecipient is audited as required by 2 CFR Part 200, subpart F when it is expected that the subrecipient's federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in CFR 200.501 of $750,000 or more in federal awards during the subrecipient?s fiscal year.2 CFR 200.332(d)(2) requires that pass-through entities follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entities detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient.2 CFR 200.332(d)(2) and (3) require pass-through entities to issue a management decision on applicable audit findings in accordance with 2 CFR 200.521, within six months after acceptance of the subrecipient?s audit report by the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate corrective action on all findings.Cause:UL Lafayette management indicated that it was working on internal procedures to adequately monitor subrecipients as result of the prior-year finding. However, management has yet to finalize and apply these procedures on all active subrecipients.Effect:Failure to properly monitor subrecipients results in noncompliance with federal regulations and increases the likelihood of improper payments which may have to be returned to the federal awarding agency.Recommendation:UL Lafayette should strengthen controls to ensure the timely review of all required subrecipient audit reports in order to evaluate the impact of any findings noted in the audits and issue management decision letters, if applicable. In addition, UL Lafayette should strengthen controls to ensure risk assessments are performed and documented on all subrecipients in accordance with federal regulations.Management?s Response and Corrective Action Plan:Management did not concur with the finding, noting it did not have sufficient time in fiscal year 2022 for corrective action and provided its progress on addressing the finding (B-83).
2022-007 - Noncompliance with Subrecipient Monitoring RequirementsAward Years: 2018, 2020 - 2022Award Numbers: DUE-2044358, NA18OAR4170098, OIA-2019511, OIA-2119688Compliance Requirement: Subrecipient MonitoringRepeat Finding: Yes (Prior Year Finding No. 2021-010)See Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs for chart/tableCondition:For the second consecutive year, UL Lafayette did not adequately monitor subrecipients of the R&D Cluster programs. In a non-statistical sample of five subawards out of a population of 49 subawards, it was noted that for four (80%) of the subrecipients evaluated UL Lafayette was unable to provide documentation that ensured each subrecipient obtained the required audit or that the audit was reviewed so that timely and appropriate action could be taken for any findings pertaining to the federal awards. Additionally, for all five (100%) of the subrecipients evaluated, UL Lafayette could not provide evidence that the required risk analyses were performed to evaluate each subrecipients? risk of noncompliance with federal regulations and the terms of the subaward.Criteria:2 CFR 200.332(b) requires pass-through entities to 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.Per 2 CFR 200.332(f), pass-through entities are responsible for verifying that every subrecipient is audited as required by 2 CFR Part 200, subpart F when it is expected that the subrecipient's federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in CFR 200.501 of $750,000 or more in federal awards during the subrecipient?s fiscal year.2 CFR 200.332(d)(2) requires that pass-through entities follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entities detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient.2 CFR 200.332(d)(2) and (3) require pass-through entities to issue a management decision on applicable audit findings in accordance with 2 CFR 200.521, within six months after acceptance of the subrecipient?s audit report by the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate corrective action on all findings.Cause:UL Lafayette management indicated that it was working on internal procedures to adequately monitor subrecipients as result of the prior-year finding. However, management has yet to finalize and apply these procedures on all active subrecipients.Effect:Failure to properly monitor subrecipients results in noncompliance with federal regulations and increases the likelihood of improper payments which may have to be returned to the federal awarding agency.Recommendation:UL Lafayette should strengthen controls to ensure the timely review of all required subrecipient audit reports in order to evaluate the impact of any findings noted in the audits and issue management decision letters, if applicable. In addition, UL Lafayette should strengthen controls to ensure risk assessments are performed and documented on all subrecipients in accordance with federal regulations.Management?s Response and Corrective Action Plan:Management did not concur with the finding, noting it did not have sufficient time in fiscal year 2022 for corrective action and provided its progress on addressing the finding (B-83).
Reference Number:2022-010Prior Year Finding:NoFederal Agency:U.S. Department of the TreasuryState Agency:Department of Community AffairsFederal Program:COVID-19 - Homeowner Assistance FundAssistance Listing Number:21.026Award Number and Year:HAF0019 (2021)Compliance Requirement:Subrecipient MonitoringType of FindingSignificant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Compliance ? Per 2 CFR section 200.332(a), all pass-through entities must ensure that every subaward is clearly identified to the subrecipient as a subaward and includes the following information at the time of the subaward and if any of these data elements change, include the changes in subsequent subaward modification. When some of this information is not available, the pass-through entity must provide the best information available to describe the Federal award and subaward.Required information includes:i. Subrecipient name (which must match the name associated with its unique entity identifier);ii. Subrecipient's unique entity identifier;iii. Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN);iv. Federal Award Date (see the definition of Federal award date in ? 200.1 of this part) of award to the recipient by the Federal agency;v. Subaward Period of Performance Start and End Date;vi. Subaward Budget Period Start and End Date;vii. Amount of Federal Funds Obligated by this action by the pass-through entity to the subrecipient;viii. Total Amount of Federal Funds Obligated to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity including the current financial obligation;ix. Total Amount of the Federal Award committed to the subrecipient by the pass-through entity;x. Federal award project description, as required to be responsive to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA);xi. Name of Federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, and contact information for awarding official of the Pass-through entity;xii. Assistance Listings number and Title; the pass-through entity must identify the dollar amount made available under each Federal award and the Assistance Listings Number at time of disbursement;xiii. Identification of whether the award is R&D; andxiv. Indirect cost rate for the Federal award (including if the de minimis rate is charged) per section 200.414.2 CFR section 200.332 also states that pass-through entities must:(d) 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 described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, which may include consideration of such factors as:1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards;2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a Single Audit in accordance with Subpart F - Audit Requirements of this part, and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program;3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems;4) The extent and results of Federal awarding agency monitoring (e.g., if the subrecipient also receives Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency).(e) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include:(1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity.(2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means.(3) Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by ? 200.521 Management decision.(f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F - Audit Requirements of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient's Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in ? 200.501 Audit requirements.Control ? Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ?Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government? issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ?Internal Control Integrated Framework?, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).Condition:The Department of Community Affairs (Department) did not comply with subrecipient monitoring requirements for the program.Context:The Department issued one subaward under the program and it was noted that the subaward did not include all required Federal Award information, nor did the Department perform a risk assessment of the subrecipient or perform monitoring activities for the award.Questioned costs:None noted.Cause:The Department?s procedures and controls were not effective to ensure the subaward was issued in compliance with Federal requirements, nor that it performed a risk assessment or timely monitoring of subrecipient.Effect:Excluding the required federal grant award information at the time of the subaward may cause subrecipients and their auditors to be uninformed about specific program and other regulations that apply to the funds they receive. There is also the potential for subrecipients to have incomplete Schedules of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in their Single Audit reports, and federal funds may not be properly audited at the subrecipient level in accordance with the Uniform Guidance.Not conducting during the award monitoring may result in a failure of the Division to detect that its subrecipients used subawards for unauthorized purposes, managed them in violation of the terms and conditions of the subawards, or that subaward performance goals were not achieved.Without ensuring subrecipients have obtained audits as required by Subpart F, there is an increased risk that subrecipients could be inappropriately spending and/or inaccurately tracking and reporting federal funds over multiple year periods, and these discrepancies may not be properly monitored, detected, and corrected by Division personnel on a timely basis.Recommendation:The Department should review and enhance internal controls and procedures to ensure that all required information is included in all subawards, that proper subrecipient monitoring is conducted, and that evaluation of independent audits is performed.Views of responsible officials:As recommended, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will review current procedures to ensure that all subaward information required by the federal Uniform Guidance is included in all subaward contracts and grant agreements. The DCA has also reviewed its current subrecipient monitoring procedures for standard subawards made by the agency and has determined that no internal control enhancements are required. The HAF award was a unique grant relationship for DCA in that the entire award was passed through to another New Jersey State government agency that is a direct affiliate of the Department. Monitoring procedures were determined based on the close working relationship with our affiliate organization and the fact that less than 1 percent of the grant award was expended through June 30, 2022. Current procedures included a risk assessment of the subrecipient and performance of the single audit desk review of the independent audit report. In addition, the Director of Audit, and the Executive Director of the subgrantee affiliate participate in weekly meetings where updates on the program status can be determined. DCA?s subrecipient monitoring plan also includes the hiring of an Integrity Monitor to oversee and monitor the use of the HAF funds as well as compliance with all HAF program reporting requirements. As program disbursement activity is continuing to increase with the HAF program(s) created more fully up and running, DCA is currently targeting the Integrity Monitor hire to take place sometime within the next three to six months.
Criteria or specific requirement: According to ?200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities of 2 CFR Part 200, all pass-through entities must 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. In addition, the pass-through entity must monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: ? Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. ? Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient, highlighting the status of actions planned or taken to address Single Audit findings related to the particular subaward. ? Issuing a management decision for applicable audit findings pertaining only to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by ?200.521 Management Decision. Condition: We noted the Organization is not in compliance with requirements related to the subrecipient monitoring of grants. Questioned costs: None Context: During our testing, we noted the following exceptions: ? The Organization lacked a process to review the audits of subrecipients that would allow the Organization to identify any potential deficiencies that would require follow-up. ? The Organization lacked a process to complete a risk assessment that would allow the Organization to 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. Cause: The Organization does not have internal controls in place to ensure compliance with Federal regulations or the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effect: The lack of internal controls over this compliance requirement provides an opportunity for noncompliance. Noncompliance results in possible Federal funds provided to ineligible subrecipients. Repeat Finding: Yes ? 2021-004 Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization create effective internal controls and procedures over subrecipient monitoring and tracking that allow for compliance with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and compliance requirements of various Federal grants. Views of responsible officials: The ROAMS grant did not clarify with the Network partners that receive $20,000 yearly stipends whether they were subrecipients or contractors, but instead assumed everyone was a contractor. We agree to this as a finding. We have since followed up with the stipend partners and all but one has declared their stipends as contracts. ROAMS agrees with the classification of three as contractors and one as a subrecipient which is described below: ? Union County General Hospital (UCGH): Both ROAMS and UCGH see this relationship as a contractor. The stipend pays for a Tele-OB room in their facility and the budget even lists rent as part of the reason for the stipend. The stipend per the MoU also supports their participation in the monthly Governing Council meetings, data collection, IT support for the program implementation and decision making. ? Questa Health Center/Presbyterian Medical Services (Questa): Both ROAMS and Questa see this relationship as a contractor. The stipend pays for an OB room in their facility and is even listed as rent in the stipend budget. The stipend per the MoU also supports their participation in the monthly Governing Council and decision making. ? UNM Envision (UNM): UNM declared a portion of their stipend over the three-year period they received as subrecipient. They declared $39,635 as subrecipient and they received a total of $68,000 from ROAMS. ROAMS always saw the relationship as a contractor and not a subrecipient and we do not understand why they have declared a portion of their stipend as subrecipient. UNM was not an essential grant partner, joined in year two to assist with data review, participated in the Governing Council, and ROAMS has a data evaluation agreement with UNM that we understood as a contract. This different understanding of the relationships highlights the audit finding that the type of relationship should be agreed upon upfront. ? Miners Colfax Medical Center (MCMC): sees themselves as a subrecipient and we agree. They are a state hospital and the other Labor and Delivery hospital in the ROAMS grant, and like Holy Cross Medical Center have a very high data reporting burden and serve as the home for the patients. The Memorandum of Agreement signed by all Network partners outlines their obligations in section IV Provision of Services and VI Records and Information (a. b. and c.). As we have investigated the monitoring of subrecipients verses a contractor, we have found that the same follow up is necessary, as long as the subrecipient receives less than $750,000 in federal funds in a year, which is the case for MCMC. Our procedures for paying the stipend for both the contractors and one subrecipient (MCMC), have been attendance at the monthly Governing Council meetings, and deliverables from data collection, to IT support and meetings, workflow meetings, and clinical meetings. Reminders of deliverables that are pending are in the monthly Governing Council notes as is the attendance. ROAMS and the network partners were very clear in written documents and practice that the quarterly stipend payment was linked to participation and deliverables. We can provide you with monthly Governing Council notes to show this. A draft policy is in the works that will have the network partners formally declare their relationship as contractor or subrecipient and outline the monitoring of subrecipients. From our research we do not see the subrecipient monitoring being significantly different from a contractor unless the $750,000 threshold is met. The ROAMS grant did not clarify with the Network partners that receive $20,000 yearly stipends whether they were subrecipients or contractors, but instead assumed everyone was a contractor. We agree to this as a finding. We have followed up with the stipend partners and all but one has declared their stipends as contracts. ROAMS agrees with the classification of three as contractors. The ROAMS Director will request from the entities the audits for the CFO review to review for deficiencies on an annual basis.
Criteria or specific requirement: According to ?200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities of 2 CFR Part 200, all pass-through entities must 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. In addition, the pass-through entity must monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: ? Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. ? Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient, highlighting the status of actions planned or taken to address Single Audit findings related to the particular subaward. ? Issuing a management decision for applicable audit findings pertaining only to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by ?200.521 Management Decision. Condition: We noted the Organization is not in compliance with requirements related to the subrecipient monitoring of grants. Questioned costs: None Context: During our testing, we noted the following exceptions: ? The Organization lacked a process to review the audits of subrecipients that would allow the Organization to identify any potential deficiencies that would require follow-up. ? The Organization lacked a process to complete a risk assessment that would allow the Organization to 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. Cause: The Organization does not have internal controls in place to ensure compliance with Federal regulations or the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effect: The lack of internal controls over this compliance requirement provides an opportunity for noncompliance. Noncompliance results in possible Federal funds provided to ineligible subrecipients. Repeat Finding: Yes ? 2021-004 Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization create effective internal controls and procedures over subrecipient monitoring and tracking that allow for compliance with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and compliance requirements of various Federal grants. Views of responsible officials: The ROAMS grant did not clarify with the Network partners that receive $20,000 yearly stipends whether they were subrecipients or contractors, but instead assumed everyone was a contractor. We agree to this as a finding. We have since followed up with the stipend partners and all but one has declared their stipends as contracts. ROAMS agrees with the classification of three as contractors and one as a subrecipient which is described below: ? Union County General Hospital (UCGH): Both ROAMS and UCGH see this relationship as a contractor. The stipend pays for a Tele-OB room in their facility and the budget even lists rent as part of the reason for the stipend. The stipend per the MoU also supports their participation in the monthly Governing Council meetings, data collection, IT support for the program implementation and decision making. ? Questa Health Center/Presbyterian Medical Services (Questa): Both ROAMS and Questa see this relationship as a contractor. The stipend pays for an OB room in their facility and is even listed as rent in the stipend budget. The stipend per the MoU also supports their participation in the monthly Governing Council and decision making. ? UNM Envision (UNM): UNM declared a portion of their stipend over the three-year period they received as subrecipient. They declared $39,635 as subrecipient and they received a total of $68,000 from ROAMS. ROAMS always saw the relationship as a contractor and not a subrecipient and we do not understand why they have declared a portion of their stipend as subrecipient. UNM was not an essential grant partner, joined in year two to assist with data review, participated in the Governing Council, and ROAMS has a data evaluation agreement with UNM that we understood as a contract. This different understanding of the relationships highlights the audit finding that the type of relationship should be agreed upon upfront. ? Miners Colfax Medical Center (MCMC): sees themselves as a subrecipient and we agree. They are a state hospital and the other Labor and Delivery hospital in the ROAMS grant, and like Holy Cross Medical Center have a very high data reporting burden and serve as the home for the patients. The Memorandum of Agreement signed by all Network partners outlines their obligations in section IV Provision of Services and VI Records and Information (a. b. and c.). As we have investigated the monitoring of subrecipients verses a contractor, we have found that the same follow up is necessary, as long as the subrecipient receives less than $750,000 in federal funds in a year, which is the case for MCMC. Our procedures for paying the stipend for both the contractors and one subrecipient (MCMC), have been attendance at the monthly Governing Council meetings, and deliverables from data collection, to IT support and meetings, workflow meetings, and clinical meetings. Reminders of deliverables that are pending are in the monthly Governing Council notes as is the attendance. ROAMS and the network partners were very clear in written documents and practice that the quarterly stipend payment was linked to participation and deliverables. We can provide you with monthly Governing Council notes to show this. A draft policy is in the works that will have the network partners formally declare their relationship as contractor or subrecipient and outline the monitoring of subrecipients. From our research we do not see the subrecipient monitoring being significantly different from a contractor unless the $750,000 threshold is met. The ROAMS grant did not clarify with the Network partners that receive $20,000 yearly stipends whether they were subrecipients or contractors, but instead assumed everyone was a contractor. We agree to this as a finding. We have followed up with the stipend partners and all but one has declared their stipends as contracts. ROAMS agrees with the classification of three as contractors. The ROAMS Director will request from the entities the audits for the CFO review to review for deficiencies on an annual basis.
Federal Agency: United States Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: Child and Adult Care Food Program (10.558) Federal Award Numbers: 202120N105044, 202121N115044, 202222N115044, 202221N115044, 202121N202044, 202120N202044, 202121N109944, 202120N109944, 202121N119944, 202121H170644, 202222N202044, 202221N202044, 202222N119944, 202221N119944 Federal Award Years: 2021 and 2022 State Agency: Department of Health Reference: 2022-003 Criteria Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR 200), Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements, section 200.332(d) states all pass-through entities must monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that he subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means. (3) Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by 2 CFR 200.521. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303(a) states the nonfederal entity must Establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition For 3 of 40 subrecipients selected, the Department did not review the cases by the scheduled due date for the single audit reports as required in accordance with 2 CFR 200.332(d). The Department of Health (the Department) did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that all required single audits of the program?s subrecipients were reviewed, followed-up, or appropriate action was taken and as necessary issued a management decision pertaining to the audit finding in accordance with 2 CFR 200, as applicable. The Department maintains an internal clearinghouse tracker (the tracker) to track the subrecipients single audit status. The tracker tracks subrecipients that are exempt from single audit requirements as well as the status and follow-up required for the subrecipients with single audits. Cause The condition is due to DOH Audit Clearinghouse personnel not operating as intended, due to COVID-19 personnel reassignments, to ensure the timely review of all single audit reports for all subrecipients receiving federal funding from the Department. Possible Asserted Effect Failure to properly obtain and review subrecipient single audit reports may result in the use of federal funding not being in compliance with federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of subawards. Questioned Costs None. Statistical Sampling The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding A similar finding for the Department was included in the 2019 Single Audit Report as finding number 2019 032 at pages 90?92. Recommendation We recommend the Department to continue working on the implementation of its replacement computerized system to (1) identify all subrecipients required to have a single audit, (2) ensure that sanctions are imposed in a timely manner for subrecipients that do not submit timely single audit reports, and (3) issue management decisions within six months for all single audit reports that contain findings relevant to the Department?s programs. In the interim, we recommend that manual internal control procedures be implemented by the Department to ensure that all subrecipients that require a single audit to be completed submit the report on a timely basis and, if applicable, respond to management decision letters be issued by the Department. Views of Responsible Officials Recommendation accepted. Reference the corrective action plan for further details.
Federal Agency: United States Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: Child and Adult Care Food Program (10.558) Federal Award Numbers: 202120N105044, 202121N115044, 202222N115044, 202221N115044, 202121N202044, 202120N202044, 202121N109944, 202120N109944, 202121N119944, 202121H170644, 202222N202044, 202221N202044, 202222N119944, 202221N119944 Federal Award Years: 2021 and 2022 State Agency: Department of Health Reference: 2022-003 Criteria Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR 200), Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements, section 200.332(d) states all pass-through entities must monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that he subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means. (3) Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by 2 CFR 200.521. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303(a) states the nonfederal entity must Establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition For 3 of 40 subrecipients selected, the Department did not review the cases by the scheduled due date for the single audit reports as required in accordance with 2 CFR 200.332(d). The Department of Health (the Department) did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that all required single audits of the program?s subrecipients were reviewed, followed-up, or appropriate action was taken and as necessary issued a management decision pertaining to the audit finding in accordance with 2 CFR 200, as applicable. The Department maintains an internal clearinghouse tracker (the tracker) to track the subrecipients single audit status. The tracker tracks subrecipients that are exempt from single audit requirements as well as the status and follow-up required for the subrecipients with single audits. Cause The condition is due to DOH Audit Clearinghouse personnel not operating as intended, due to COVID-19 personnel reassignments, to ensure the timely review of all single audit reports for all subrecipients receiving federal funding from the Department. Possible Asserted Effect Failure to properly obtain and review subrecipient single audit reports may result in the use of federal funding not being in compliance with federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of subawards. Questioned Costs None. Statistical Sampling The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding A similar finding for the Department was included in the 2019 Single Audit Report as finding number 2019 032 at pages 90?92. Recommendation We recommend the Department to continue working on the implementation of its replacement computerized system to (1) identify all subrecipients required to have a single audit, (2) ensure that sanctions are imposed in a timely manner for subrecipients that do not submit timely single audit reports, and (3) issue management decisions within six months for all single audit reports that contain findings relevant to the Department?s programs. In the interim, we recommend that manual internal control procedures be implemented by the Department to ensure that all subrecipients that require a single audit to be completed submit the report on a timely basis and, if applicable, respond to management decision letters be issued by the Department. Views of Responsible Officials Recommendation accepted. Reference the corrective action plan for further details.
Federal Agency: United States Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: Child and Adult Care Food Program (10.558) Federal Award Numbers: 202120N105044, 202121N115044, 202222N115044, 202221N115044, 202121N202044, 202120N202044, 202121N109944, 202120N109944, 202121N119944, 202121H170644, 202222N202044, 202221N202044, 202222N119944, 202221N119944 Federal Award Years: 2021 and 2022 State Agency: Department of Health Reference: 2022-003 Criteria Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR 200), Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements, section 200.332(d) states all pass-through entities must monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that he subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means. (3) Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by 2 CFR 200.521. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303(a) states the nonfederal entity must Establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition For 3 of 40 subrecipients selected, the Department did not review the cases by the scheduled due date for the single audit reports as required in accordance with 2 CFR 200.332(d). The Department of Health (the Department) did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that all required single audits of the program?s subrecipients were reviewed, followed-up, or appropriate action was taken and as necessary issued a management decision pertaining to the audit finding in accordance with 2 CFR 200, as applicable. The Department maintains an internal clearinghouse tracker (the tracker) to track the subrecipients single audit status. The tracker tracks subrecipients that are exempt from single audit requirements as well as the status and follow-up required for the subrecipients with single audits. Cause The condition is due to DOH Audit Clearinghouse personnel not operating as intended, due to COVID-19 personnel reassignments, to ensure the timely review of all single audit reports for all subrecipients receiving federal funding from the Department. Possible Asserted Effect Failure to properly obtain and review subrecipient single audit reports may result in the use of federal funding not being in compliance with federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of subawards. Questioned Costs None. Statistical Sampling The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding A similar finding for the Department was included in the 2019 Single Audit Report as finding number 2019 032 at pages 90?92. Recommendation We recommend the Department to continue working on the implementation of its replacement computerized system to (1) identify all subrecipients required to have a single audit, (2) ensure that sanctions are imposed in a timely manner for subrecipients that do not submit timely single audit reports, and (3) issue management decisions within six months for all single audit reports that contain findings relevant to the Department?s programs. In the interim, we recommend that manual internal control procedures be implemented by the Department to ensure that all subrecipients that require a single audit to be completed submit the report on a timely basis and, if applicable, respond to management decision letters be issued by the Department. Views of Responsible Officials Recommendation accepted. Reference the corrective action plan for further details.
Federal Agency: United States Department of Agriculture Federal Programs: Child and Adult Care Food Program (10.558) Federal Award Numbers: 202120N105044, 202121N115044, 202222N115044, 202221N115044, 202121N202044, 202120N202044, 202121N109944, 202120N109944, 202121N119944, 202121H170644, 202222N202044, 202221N202044, 202222N119944, 202221N119944 Federal Award Years: 2021 and 2022 State Agency: Department of Health Reference: 2022-003 Criteria Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR 200), Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements, section 200.332(d) states all pass-through entities must monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that he subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward, and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means. (3) Issuing a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by 2 CFR 200.521. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303(a) states the nonfederal entity must Establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition For 3 of 40 subrecipients selected, the Department did not review the cases by the scheduled due date for the single audit reports as required in accordance with 2 CFR 200.332(d). The Department of Health (the Department) did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that all required single audits of the program?s subrecipients were reviewed, followed-up, or appropriate action was taken and as necessary issued a management decision pertaining to the audit finding in accordance with 2 CFR 200, as applicable. The Department maintains an internal clearinghouse tracker (the tracker) to track the subrecipients single audit status. The tracker tracks subrecipients that are exempt from single audit requirements as well as the status and follow-up required for the subrecipients with single audits. Cause The condition is due to DOH Audit Clearinghouse personnel not operating as intended, due to COVID-19 personnel reassignments, to ensure the timely review of all single audit reports for all subrecipients receiving federal funding from the Department. Possible Asserted Effect Failure to properly obtain and review subrecipient single audit reports may result in the use of federal funding not being in compliance with federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of subawards. Questioned Costs None. Statistical Sampling The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding A similar finding for the Department was included in the 2019 Single Audit Report as finding number 2019 032 at pages 90?92. Recommendation We recommend the Department to continue working on the implementation of its replacement computerized system to (1) identify all subrecipients required to have a single audit, (2) ensure that sanctions are imposed in a timely manner for subrecipients that do not submit timely single audit reports, and (3) issue management decisions within six months for all single audit reports that contain findings relevant to the Department?s programs. In the interim, we recommend that manual internal control procedures be implemented by the Department to ensure that all subrecipients that require a single audit to be completed submit the report on a timely basis and, if applicable, respond to management decision letters be issued by the Department. Views of Responsible Officials Recommendation accepted. Reference the corrective action plan for further details.
Reference Number: 2021-014 Category of Finding: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Instance of Noncompliance State Administering Department: California Department of Public Health (Public Health) Assistance Listing Number: 93.323 Federal Program Title: Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Federal Award Number and Year: NU50CK000539; 2021 Criteria: Title 2 - Grants and Agreements. Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements. §200.303 Internal controls (2 CFR 200.303): The non-Federal entity must: (b) 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). Title 2 - Grants and Agreements. Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements. §200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities (2 CFR 200.332): All pass-through entities must: (c) 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 described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, which may include consideration of such factors as: (1) The subrecipient’s prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a Single Audit in accordance with Subpart F of this part, and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems; and (4) The extent and results of Federal awarding agency monitoring (e.g., if the subrecipient also receives Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency). (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient, highlighting the status of actions planned or taken to address Single Audit findings related to the particular subaward. (3) Issuing a management decision for applicable audit findings pertaining only to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by §200.521. (4) The pass-through entity is responsible for resolving audit findings specifically related to the subaward and not responsible for resolving crosscutting findings. If a subrecipient has a current Single Audit report posted in the Federal Audit Clearinghouse and has not otherwise been excluded from receipt of Federal funding (e.g., has been debarred or suspended), the pass-through entity may rely on the subrecipient's cognizant audit agency or cognizant oversight agency to perform audit follow-up and make management decisions related to cross-cutting findings in accordance with section§200.513(a)(3)(vii). Such reliance does not eliminate the responsibility of the pass-through entity to issue subawards that conform to agency and award-specific requirements, to manage risk through ongoing subaward monitoring, and to monitor the status of the findings that are specifically related to the subaward. (f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient’s Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in §200.501. (g) Consider whether the results of the subrecipient’s audits, on-site reviews, or other monitoring indicate conditions that necessitate adjustments to the pass-through entity’s own records. Condition: Public Health did not establish a formal risk assessment process over its subrecipients of federal awards to determine the frequency and extent of subrecipient monitoring to be performed. While Public Health received reimbursement invoices from subrecipients, there did not appear to be other financial or programmatic monitoring to verify subrecipents compliance with applicable requirements. In addition, Public Health did not obtain Single Audit reports from those subrecipients as required. Identification as a Repeat Finding This was not a repeat finding from the immediate prior year. Cause: Public Health failed to identify and report its federal expenditures related to its subrecipient agreement with its bona fide agent. Consequently, required subrecipient monitoring procedures were not designed nor implemented by Public Health. Effect: By not properly evaluating the risk of noncompliance, Public Health may inadvertently award grant funds to subrecipients who lack the necessary mechanisms or understanding to adhere to federal statutes. This increases the likelihood of noncompliance arising during the implementation of the grant-funded activities. Furthermore, failure to perform monitoring procedures or obtain Single Audit reports increases the risk for not properly identifying subrecipient program control weaknesses, noncompliance, and performing sufficient follow-up on any subrecipient corrective action. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified. Context: Disbursements to subrecipients for the ELC program totaled $367,405,431, or 76.5% of total reported program expenditures. Recommendation: Public Health should establish and document formal procedures for conducting risk assessments of its subrecipients, including criteria for evaluating organizational capacity, financial stability, compliance history, and programmatic capabilities. Public Health should also develop and implement specific subrecipient monitoring procedures and establish a process for obtaining single audit reports from its subrecipients. Furthermore, a monitoring mechanism should be implemented to track compliance with the single audit mandate among subrecipients, including regular follow-ups and documentation of communication efforts. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Response and Corrective Action Plan” included in a separate section at the end of this report
Reference Number: 2021-014 Category of Finding: Subrecipient Monitoring Type of Finding: Material Weakness and Material Instance of Noncompliance State Administering Department: California Department of Public Health (Public Health) Assistance Listing Number: 93.323 Federal Program Title: Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC) Federal Award Number and Year: NU50CK000539; 2021 Criteria: Title 2 - Grants and Agreements. Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements. §200.303 Internal controls (2 CFR 200.303): The non-Federal entity must: (b) 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). Title 2 - Grants and Agreements. Subtitle A - Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements. Chapter II - Office of Management and Budget Guidance. Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Subpart D - Post Federal Award Requirements. §200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities (2 CFR 200.332): All pass-through entities must: (c) 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 described in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, which may include consideration of such factors as: (1) The subrecipient’s prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a Single Audit in accordance with Subpart F of this part, and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems; and (4) The extent and results of Federal awarding agency monitoring (e.g., if the subrecipient also receives Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency). (d) Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include: (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity. (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient, highlighting the status of actions planned or taken to address Single Audit findings related to the particular subaward. (3) Issuing a management decision for applicable audit findings pertaining only to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by §200.521. (4) The pass-through entity is responsible for resolving audit findings specifically related to the subaward and not responsible for resolving crosscutting findings. If a subrecipient has a current Single Audit report posted in the Federal Audit Clearinghouse and has not otherwise been excluded from receipt of Federal funding (e.g., has been debarred or suspended), the pass-through entity may rely on the subrecipient's cognizant audit agency or cognizant oversight agency to perform audit follow-up and make management decisions related to cross-cutting findings in accordance with section§200.513(a)(3)(vii). Such reliance does not eliminate the responsibility of the pass-through entity to issue subawards that conform to agency and award-specific requirements, to manage risk through ongoing subaward monitoring, and to monitor the status of the findings that are specifically related to the subaward. (f) Verify that every subrecipient is audited as required by Subpart F of this part when it is expected that the subrecipient’s Federal awards expended during the respective fiscal year equaled or exceeded the threshold set forth in §200.501. (g) Consider whether the results of the subrecipient’s audits, on-site reviews, or other monitoring indicate conditions that necessitate adjustments to the pass-through entity’s own records. Condition: Public Health did not establish a formal risk assessment process over its subrecipients of federal awards to determine the frequency and extent of subrecipient monitoring to be performed. While Public Health received reimbursement invoices from subrecipients, there did not appear to be other financial or programmatic monitoring to verify subrecipents compliance with applicable requirements. In addition, Public Health did not obtain Single Audit reports from those subrecipients as required. Identification as a Repeat Finding This was not a repeat finding from the immediate prior year. Cause: Public Health failed to identify and report its federal expenditures related to its subrecipient agreement with its bona fide agent. Consequently, required subrecipient monitoring procedures were not designed nor implemented by Public Health. Effect: By not properly evaluating the risk of noncompliance, Public Health may inadvertently award grant funds to subrecipients who lack the necessary mechanisms or understanding to adhere to federal statutes. This increases the likelihood of noncompliance arising during the implementation of the grant-funded activities. Furthermore, failure to perform monitoring procedures or obtain Single Audit reports increases the risk for not properly identifying subrecipient program control weaknesses, noncompliance, and performing sufficient follow-up on any subrecipient corrective action. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified. Context: Disbursements to subrecipients for the ELC program totaled $367,405,431, or 76.5% of total reported program expenditures. Recommendation: Public Health should establish and document formal procedures for conducting risk assessments of its subrecipients, including criteria for evaluating organizational capacity, financial stability, compliance history, and programmatic capabilities. Public Health should also develop and implement specific subrecipient monitoring procedures and establish a process for obtaining single audit reports from its subrecipients. Furthermore, a monitoring mechanism should be implemented to track compliance with the single audit mandate among subrecipients, including regular follow-ups and documentation of communication efforts. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan Management’s response is reported in “Management’s Response and Corrective Action Plan” included in a separate section at the end of this report
Criteria: • §200.303 Internal controls establishes that “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, (b) Comply with the U.S. Constitution, Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal awards, (c) Evaluate and monitor the non-Federal entity's compliance with statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of Federal awards., (d) Take prompt action when instances of noncompliance are identified including noncompliance identified in audit findings. • • 2 CFR §200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities establishes that “All pass-through entities must: Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. • • Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity; (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass- through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient, highlighting the status of actions planned or taken to address Single Audit findings related to the particular subaward; (3) Issuing a management decision for applicable audit findings pertaining only to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by § 200.521; and (4) The pass-through entity is responsible for resolving audit findings specifically related to the subaward and not responsible for resolving crosscutting findings”. Condition: The Chapter 11 Subrecipients Management and Monitoring Manual, subrecipients with risk assessment profile classified as High-High Risk (HH), require an annual site visit. However, during the year ended June 30, 2020, from six (6) subrecipients classified as HH, two (2) were not visited during the period. The subrecipients not visited were the following: Cause: Lack of implementation of work plan that includes monitoring process for at least major subrecipients before year end, in order to avoid noncompliance on subrecipients’ procedures. Effects: • • Noncompliance may be performed by subrecipients without timely evaluation to remediate possible questioned costs, which may result in delay receipt of funds through remediation be implemented. • • Incomplete monitoring process can prevent COR3 from timely detection of a material noncompliance from subrecipients. Questioned Costs: None. Identification as a repeat finding: Finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year and was identified as finding number 2019-07. Recommendation: • • We recommend management to implement a work plan for monitoring subrecipients to ascertain that major subrecipients be monitored during the year, or at reaching to determine threshold on used federal funds used in order to timely react to and avoid possible non-compliances. • • In addition, we recommended management to ascertain that all procedures related to the monitoring process be implemented.
Criteria: • §200.303 Internal controls establishes that “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, (b) Comply with the U.S. Constitution, Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal awards, (c) Evaluate and monitor the non-Federal entity's compliance with statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of Federal awards., (d) Take prompt action when instances of noncompliance are identified including noncompliance identified in audit findings. • • 2 CFR §200.332 Requirements for pass-through entities establishes that “All pass-through entities must: Monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the subaward; and that subaward performance goals are achieved. • • Pass-through entity monitoring of the subrecipient must include (1) Reviewing financial and performance reports required by the pass-through entity; (2) Following-up and ensuring that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass- through entity detected through audits, on-site reviews, and written confirmation from the subrecipient, highlighting the status of actions planned or taken to address Single Audit findings related to the particular subaward; (3) Issuing a management decision for applicable audit findings pertaining only to the Federal award provided to the subrecipient from the pass-through entity as required by § 200.521; and (4) The pass-through entity is responsible for resolving audit findings specifically related to the subaward and not responsible for resolving crosscutting findings”. Condition: The Chapter 11 Subrecipients Management and Monitoring Manual, subrecipients with risk assessment profile classified as High-High Risk (HH), require an annual site visit. However, during the year ended June 30, 2020, from six (6) subrecipients classified as HH, two (2) were not visited during the period. The subrecipients not visited were the following: Cause: Lack of implementation of work plan that includes monitoring process for at least major subrecipients before year end, in order to avoid noncompliance on subrecipients’ procedures. Effects: • • Noncompliance may be performed by subrecipients without timely evaluation to remediate possible questioned costs, which may result in delay receipt of funds through remediation be implemented. • • Incomplete monitoring process can prevent COR3 from timely detection of a material noncompliance from subrecipients. Questioned Costs: None. Identification as a repeat finding: Finding is a repeat of a finding in the immediately prior year and was identified as finding number 2019-07. Recommendation: • • We recommend management to implement a work plan for monitoring subrecipients to ascertain that major subrecipients be monitored during the year, or at reaching to determine threshold on used federal funds used in order to timely react to and avoid possible non-compliances. • • In addition, we recommended management to ascertain that all procedures related to the monitoring process be implemented.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: 14.218 Entitlement Grants Cluster: Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants Identification Number: B-15-MC-42-0018; B-16-MC-42-0018; B-17-MC-42-0018; B-18-MC-42-0018; B-19- MC-42-0018 Requirement: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Reporting; Special Tests and Provisions Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over major program; Noncompliance Criteria: Section 2 CFR 200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states that pass-thru entities must 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. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, (1) The subrecipient's prior experience with the same or similar subawards; (2) The results of previous audits including whether or not the subrecipient receives a single audit and the extent to which the same or similar subaward has been audited as a major program; and (3) Whether the subrecipient has new personnel or new or substantially changed systems. Based on the results of the evaluation, the City would then have to consider the extent to which monitoring procedures are required. At a minimum, the City must, (1) Review financial and performance reports required by the City, (2) Follow-up and ensure that the subrecipient takes timely and appropriate action on all deficiencies pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City detected through audits, on-site reviews, and other means, and (3) Issue a management decision for audit findings pertaining to the federal award provided to the subrecipient from the City as required by Section 200.521 of the Uniform Guidance. Additionally, the City must perform monitoring visits as stipulated in the contracts between the City and the subrecipients. Condition: The City does not have policies and procedures in place to perform the required risk assessment of subrecipients to determine the extent of monitoring procedures, and then perform and document the monitoring procedures performed. Cause: There is no documentation of any subrecipient risk assessment being performed for grants provided to subrecipients for 2019, and only partial documentation of any subrecipient monitoring procedures being performed. Effect: Subrecipient monitoring procedures were not properly performed and documented by the City. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Context: The City needs to create and implement a policy to perform risk assessment of subrecipients, in order to determine the extent of monitoring procedures and performance of the monitoring procedures themselves. Recommendation: We recommend the City implement procedures to ensure risk assessment of subrecipients prior to each subaward is performed in accordance with the Uniform Guidance requirements and thoroughly documented. We further recommend that the required subrecipient monitoring be performed and documented for each subaward.