Finding 1072747 (2023-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-10

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Grantee submitted the Project Progress Report six months late, violating the requirement to submit within two weeks after the semi-annual period.
  • Impacted Requirements: Reports must document project accomplishments, challenges, and future plans, and be submitted on time to avoid delays in federal funding.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Implement stronger controls to ensure timely submission of all federal reports to prevent penalties and maintain funding flow.

Finding Text

2 CFR § 200.328 provides the Federal awarding agency may solicit only the standard, OMB-approved governmentwide data elements for collection of financial information. This information must be collected with the frequency required by the terms and conditions of the Federal award.The American Rescue Plan Act Statewide Planning Award states that Grantee shall submit to Grantor Project Progress Reports. Grantee agrees to provide Grantor with project progress reports, communicating the important activities and accomplishments of the project, on a semi-annual basis for the period ending March 31 and September 30, or any portion thereof, for the entire project period. Reports are due no later than two weeks following the end of the semi-annual period. Reports shall be in clear format, not exceeding six pages, and shall: i. Document accomplishments, benefits, and impacts of the project. The Grantee should identify activities that have led to specific outcomes, such as job creation/retention, private investment, increased regional collaboration, engagement with historically excluded groups or regions, enhanced regional capacity, or other positive economic development benefits; ii. Identify any upcoming or potential press events or opportunities for collaborative press engagement to highlight the benefits of the award investment; iii. Compare progress on the project with the targeted schedule, explaining nay departures, identifying how those departures will be remedied, and projecting the course of work for the next semi-annual reporting period; iv. Outline challenges impending or that my impede progress on the project over the next semi-annual reporting period and identify ways to address those challenges; v. Outline any areas in which assistance is needed to support the project; and vi. Provide any other information that would be helpful for Grantor to know.The Project Progress Report for the semi-annual basis for the period ending March 31 contained the required information; however, due to insufficient controls over ensuring reports are submitted by the required due date, it was not submitted timely within the two weeks following the end of the semi-annual period and was submitted on October 16, 2023, six months late by the Commission.Failure to submit reports on a timely basis could result in delays in federal funding or other penalties and sanctions.The Commission should ensure that all federal reports are submitted timely.

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 496304 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 496305 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1072746 2023-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
23.011 Appalachian Research, Technical Assistance, and Demonstration Projects $812,660
11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance $470,545
10.351 Rural Business Development Grant $198,328
23.009 Appalachian Local Development District Assistance $110,031
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $72,923
11.302 Economic Development_support for Planning Organizations $58,399