Finding 1081272 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-11-06
Audit: 327534
Organization: Taos Health Systems, Inc. (NM)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization failed to maintain necessary procurement files and documentation for sole source justification and suspension/debarment checks.
  • Impacted Requirements: This noncompliance with 2 CFR Part 200 could lead to federal funds being awarded to ineligible vendors.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Establish a clear internal policy for documenting sole source justifications and ensure suspension/debarment checks are performed and recorded for all vendor transactions.

Finding Text

Criteria or specific requirement: 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Award requires compliance with the provisions of procurement and suspension and debarment. The Organization should have internal controls designed to ensure compliance with these provisions.Condition: During our testing over Procurement, Suspension & Debarment, we noted one instance where the Organization was unable to locate the procurement files to support the sole source justification for the procurement transaction along with not being able to locate documentation that the suspension and debarment check was performed prior to entering into a transaction with the vendor.Questioned costs: NoneContext: During our testing over Procurement, Suspension & Debarment, we noted one instance where the Organization was unable to locate the procurement files to support the sole source justification for the procurement transaction along with not being able to locate documentation that the suspension and debarment check was performed prior to entering into a transaction with the vendor.Cause: The Organization lacks established internal controls and procedures over financial grant management. The Organization did not maintain files related to the procurement process and suspension and debarment checks.Effect: Noncompliance results in possible Federal funds provided to ineligible vendors.Repeat Finding: No.Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization create an internal policy over the documentation of sole source/non-competitive bid justification prior to contracting with a vendor using federal funds as well as implementing a process to ensure suspension and debarment checks are performed and documentation to show that the checks were performed are retained.Views of responsible officials: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reviewed the procurement policy with the ROAMS Director. The CFO educated the ROAMS Director that the Organization will need to have a separate document on sole source justification and that a suspension and debarment check will need to be completed for every vendor used in either purchasing equipment or services. The CFO also sits on the governing board of the ROAMS program and will ensure the procurement policy is reminded when specific issues or approvals come to the governing board. The grant accountant will also give the CFO notice if equipment is being purchased or contracts entered into that are being paid out of federal grant funds and there is no attached separate documentation for sole source or documentation of check for suspension and disbarment.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 504830 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.912 Rural Health Care Services Outreach, Rural Health Network Development and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement $426,769
95.001 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program $348,524
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $21,317