Finding 1103149 (2023-007)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-03-12
Audit: 345710
Organization: Dallas County (IA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County did not obtain quotes from enough qualified sources for a purchase, violating federal procurement guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: This oversight breaches the Uniform Guidance, which mandates effective internal controls for purchases exceeding the micro-purchase threshold.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The County should implement procedures to ensure all departments comply with federal procurement policies, as established in their new procedures from January 2024.

Finding Text

Procurement Criteria – The Uniform Guidance, Part 200.320(a)(2)(i), requires the auditee establish and maintain effective internal control over the acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which is higher than the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotation must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as determined appropriate by the non-Federal entity. Condition – The County has established a federal procurement policy, however for one purchase the County did not obtain quotes from an adequate number of qualified sources. Cause – County policies were established to ensure purchases follow the federal procurement requirements; however, procedures have not been established to ensure quotes were obtained and maintained by individual County departments as required by Uniform Guidance. Effect – Not following Uniform Guidance procurement policies could result in the purchase being made at a cost higher than what was necessary for the project requirements. Recommendation – The County should establish procedures to ensure all County departments follow the federal procurement policy in accordance with Uniform Guidance, Part 200.320(a)(2)(i). Response – The County established procedure in January 2024 to ensure all departments of the County are following the established County federal procurement policy. Conclusion – Response accepted.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 526707 2023-007
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $788,475
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $379,136
93.069 Public Health Emergency Preparedness $158,099
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $33,908
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $20,922
93.268 Immunization Cooperative Agreements $15,104
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $7,850
93.596 Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development Fund $6,903
93.658 Foster Care_title IV-E $6,299
20.616 National Priority Safety Programs $6,207
10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance $4,580
93.659 Adoption Assistance $3,471
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $3,365
15.226 Payments in Lieu of Taxes $2,484
93.472 Title IV-E Prevention and Family Services and Programs (a) $880
93.767 Children's Health Insurance Program $512
93.354 Public Health Emergency Response: Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Response: Public Health Crisis Response $392
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_state Administered Programs $84
93.090 Guardianship Assistance $7