Finding 1084802 (2023-003)

2 CFR § 1400.332 requires participants to include a term or condition in lower-tier transactions requiring lower-tier participants to comply with Subpart C of the OMB Guidance in 2 CFR Part 180. 2 CFR Part 180, Subpart C, Paragraph 300 instructs, "when you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. Additionally, in 31 CFR § 19.300, the U.S. Department of Treasury requires participants entering into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, to verify that the person with whom they intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified by: (a) Checking the EPLS; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person if allowed by this rule; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person. Additionally, District Policy: Federal Procurement System Standards – Debarment and Suspension, Procurement, states that for contracts over $25,000, the District shall confirm that the vendor is not debarred or suspended by either checking the Federal government's System for Award Management, which maintains a list of such debarred or suspended vendors at www.sam.gov; collecting a certification from the vendor; or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that vendor. The District did not have the proper internal controls in place to verify that all entities, with whom the District had entered into covered transactions, had not been suspended or debarred. During testing of Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development, and Planning and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, we noted in each program the District entered into a contract with a vendor for more than $25,000 and, there was no evidence the District checked the SAM exclusions, collected a certification from the entity, or added a clause or condition to the covered transaction with the vendor. Due to the deficient internal control structure, the required verifications were not completed for the two awarded contracts during Fiscal Year 2023. Failing to have the appropriate controls in place may result in vendors receiving federal funds that are suspended or debarred. Prior to contracting with vendors that will be paid with federal funds, the District should verify the vendor is not suspended or debarred by checking the SAM exclusions, collecting a certification from the vendor, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with the vendor.