Finding 1147237 (2024-002)

Finding No. 2024-002: Procurement – Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance and Other Noncompliance Agency U.S. Department of Interior ALN 15.946 Federal Award Identification Number P17AC00528 and P22AM01146 Criteria According to Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 200.213, non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards to parties that are suspended or debarred. The non-federal entity must verify that the contractor or subrecipient is not suspended or debarred through the System for Award Management (SAM), which includes reviewing the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), or by collecting a certification from the entity. In addition, NCSHPO must conduct all procurement transactions in a manner providing full and open competition, in accordance with 2 CFR section 200.319. Condition and Context We tested 9 vendors as part of procurement testing. NCSHPO failed to perform the required search for suspension and debarment in SAM for all vendors. The search should have been performed to ensure that the contractors were not suspended or debarred. We noted that none of the vendors were suspended or debarred. Cause NCSHPO has a procurement policy which does not state the process for search for suspension and debarment. Recommendation We recommend that NCSHPO implement and adhere to a protocol for verifying suspension and debarment status. We also recommend that suspension and debarment be included in NCSHPO’s procurement policy. In addition, NCSHPO should maintain documentation of the results of the searches and results to be in compliance. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action See attached corrective action plan. Questioned Costs None