Finding 1153481 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-19
Audit: 366729
Organization: Ecostudies Institute (WA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The organization exceeded the allowable indirect cost rate by requesting $8,519 in reimbursement above the de minimis rate during a transition period.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.414(f) regarding indirect cost rates, specifically the transition from a negotiated rate to a de minimis rate.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal controls and oversight to ensure compliance with indirect cost requirements during policy changes.

Finding Text

Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Instance of Noncompliance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Defense Federal Program Name: Conservation and Rehabilitation of Natural Resources on Military Installations Assistance Listing Number: 12.005 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H79TI083313 - 2020 Award Period: September 28, 2020 through September 27, 2025 Criteria or specific requirement: Per 2 CFR 200.414(f), "recipients and subrecipients that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may elect to charge a de minimis rate of up to 15% [formerly 10%] of modified total direct costs (MTDC)”. Condition: One of the Organization's requests for reimbursement requested indirect costs in excess of the 10% de minimis rate that was allowable at the time of the request. Questioned costs: $8,519 known questioned costs. Context: This was deemed to be an isolated incident as it only applied to the first drawdown request of FY24, which was the first request since the Organization transitioned from having a Federal negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) to using the de minimis rate. Cause: Due to confusion about the timing of the transition from a NICRA to using the de minimis rate. Effect: Indirect costs in excess of the allowable indirect cost rate may be charged to the federal program. Any costs in excess of the allowable amount may be considered unallowable costs and may be required to be reimbursed to the federal program. Repeat finding: No Recommendation: CLA recommends additional internal scrutiny and controls surrounding applicable compliance requirements when there is a change in policies and procedures, such as the change in effective indirect cost rate. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Conservation and Rehabilitation of Natural Resources on Military Installations – Assistance Listing No. 12.005 Recommendation: CLA recommends additional internal scrutiny and controls surrounding applicable compliance requirements when there is a change in policies and procedures, such as the change in effective indirect cost rate. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Ecostudies’ policy has always been to use the NICRA rate at the start of an agreement (or when we start working on the project) through the course of the agreement/task order’s performance period, even when a NICRA rate changes during the performance period. This policy was based on discussions with other non-profit organizations with federal awards. During the FY 2024 audit we raised this issue with CLA to receive clarification and guidance. Our understanding from that discussion was that CLA agreed that our policy was acceptable and appropriate. Our corrective action will be to work with each federal partner to ensure there is clear documentation of the direct and indirect costs in the agreement. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Gary Slater Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 10/1/2025

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1153479 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1153480 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
12.005 Conservation and Rehabilitation of Natural Resources on Military Installations $2.26M
12.630 Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering $574,960
12.017 Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (repi) Program $212,664
12.632 Legacy Resource Management Program $122,672
15.634 State Wildlife Grants $89,684
10.931 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program; Wetlands Reserve Program $88,431
10.723 Community Project Funding - Congressionally Directed Funding $87,033
15.944 Natural Resource Stew Ardship $71,616
15.631 Partners for Fish and Wildlife $57,883
12.017 Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (repi) Program $29,842
15.657 Migratory Bird Joint Ventures $19,056
15.234 Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination $5,527
15.660 Action Funds $1,815