Finding 1130069 (2024-005)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-04-01
Audit: 352202
Organization: Town of Bridgwater, Vermont (VT)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Town lacks a formal process to ensure contractors are not debarred or suspended from federal assistance programs.
  • Impacted Requirements: This oversight violates 2 CFR Section 200.214, which mandates compliance with nonprocurement and suspension regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Town should develop and adopt formal procedures to verify contractor eligibility for federal programs.

Finding Text

2024-005 - PROCUREMENT, SUSPENSION & DEBARMENT: Procurement Policy Federal Program Information: US Department of Agriculture Direct Award ALN: - 10.760 Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities Criteria: Per 2 CFR Section 200.214, non-federal entities are subject to the nonprocurement and suspension regulations restricting awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred or suspended. Condition: The Town does not have a formal procedure to determine that contractors are not debarred, suspended or otherwise excluded or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. Cause: Town personnel were unaware of this requirement. Effect: Transactions could occur that did not comply with federal regulations. Identification of Questioned Costs: None identified. Context: The finding was based on requesting the Town’s policies and procedures related to federal compliance and therefore was not the result of a statistical sample. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat finding of 2023-003. Recommendation: The auditor recommends that the Town obtain an understanding of the required procedures in the Code of Federal Regulations as applicable to its federal programs, create and formally adopt those required procedures. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: Please see the Corrective Action Plan issued by Town of Bridgewater, Vermont.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 553626 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 553627 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1130068 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.760 Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities $1.27M
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $246,087