Finding 1095030 (2024-007)

-
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-01-10

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Company failed to include required clauses in contracts funded by FTA, specifically regarding prohibited vendors and legal notifications.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with FTA regulations under Code of Federal Regulations section 200.216, affecting contract validity.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update the procurement manual and standard contracts to include necessary FTA clauses and utilize the “FTA Clause Matrix” for future contract checks.

Finding Text

2024-007: Federal Transit Cluster – AL# 20.507, Procurement – Finding, Non-material Non-compliance Condition As award recipients of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds, the Company is required to include certain clauses in contracts funded by FTA funds. We noted that the Company did not include the required “prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment” clause and the “notification of legal matters” clause as required clauses in their procurement manual and did not contain these clauses in one contract tested. Criteria The FTA mandates that contracts funded with FTA awards must contain certain clauses related to prohibited vendors under the Code of Federal Regulations section 200.216 and requires contractors to notify the Company and the FTA of any current legal matters. Cause Lack of compliance with FTA contract regulations. Effect Contracts do not meet FTA contract regulations and are non-compliant. Recommendation We recommend that the Company incorporate these required FTA clauses in their procurement manual and their standard contracts to properly incorporate in any future FTA funded contracts. View of Responsible Officials Missing FTA clauses will be addressed via revisions/updates to all of GRTC’s solicitation and contract templates. As templates can often be edited by mistake, another tool to proof contracts is the “FTA Clause Matrix 2023 Applicability of Third Party Contract Provisions”. The current version of this matrix includes provision from 2 CFR 200, Master Agreement 30 (FY 23) and Circular 4220.1F. Procurement received this matrix during an NTI Procurement 101 training course December 2023. Referencing this matrix has been added as a step in project checklists.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Equipment & Real Property Management Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 518586 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 518587 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 518588 2024-007
    -
  • 1095028 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1095029 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.507 Federal Transit Formula Grants $8.64M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $376,197
20.509 Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program $152,830