Finding 1021 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency 2023-001 Child Nutrition Cluster - Procurement Information on Federal Program: U.S Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Cluster (COVID-19 National School Lunch Program and COVID-19 School Breakfast Program and Food Distribution, Federal Assistance Listing No. 10.553 and 10.555) passed through the New York State Education Department. Criteria: CFR Section 200.318 stipulates that a non-Federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable state, local, and tribal laws, and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal law and the standards identified in Part 200 Subpart D. Additionally, 2 CFR Section 200.213 stipulates that no awards, subawards, or contracts be awarded to parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. Statement of Condition: During our discussions with management and, we noted that the District is not verifying the eligibility of vendors to participate in Federal assistance programs. Statement of Cause: The District did not review compliance requirements related to procurement outlined in 2 CFR Section 200.318 and Section 200.213. Statement of Effect: The District is not in compliance with 2 CFR Section 200.213. The District is not performing required procedures, as a result, vendors that are not eligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities could be selected or the District could be overpaying for goods and services. Questioned Cost: None. Repeat Finding: Yes. Perspective Information: As part of follow up on this prior audit finding requested support for the performance of this Significant Deficiency Recommendation: We recommend that the District review the requirements of 2 CFR Section 200.213 and ensure that a review of the eligibility of potential vendors to participate in Federal assistance programs or activities is performed prior to disbursing funds to the vendor. procedure due to the turnover in the purchasing agent position verification could not be located. Views of the Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The District has reviewed the requirements of 2 CFR Section 200.213. The District is in agreement with the recommendation to implement a procedure to document the process used to verify the eligibility of potential vendors to participate in Federal assistance programs. The verification of excluded parties will be accomplished by accessing the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website and selecting the “Excluded Entity” filter on the “Exclusions” search page to search for exclusions by Unique Entity ID or CAGE/NCAGE code as follows: 1) Select “Search” from the header menu from any page on SAM.gov 2) In the filters, under “Select Domain”, select “Entity Information”, then select Exclusions 3) Use the filters or keyword box to enter the search criteria and view the results 4) Document the results in the vendor file. Other alternatives for verification may include collecting a certification from the entity or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction or contract with that entity. The Purchasing Agent is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and ensuring compliance with the suspension and debarment procedures and maintaining documentation that contracts expected to equal or exceed $25,000 have been verified on the System for Award Management (SAM) website before purchases are made. Responsible Person(s): Matt Leon, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations and Michael DeSantis, Purchasing Agent Deadline for Completion: On or before 12/1/23 for covered transactions with contracts or purchase orders meeting the threshold during the time period 7/1/22 - 10/31/23. Prior to contract approval or purchase order issuance for contracts or purchase orders meeting the threshold on or after 11/1/23.