Finding 1155437 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-25
Audit: 367729
Organization: Ichauway Inc. (GA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a material weakness in internal controls over compliance related to procurement practices.
  • Impacted Requirements: Federal procurement rules require price quotes from qualified sources for transactions between $10,000 and $250,000, which were not followed.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management needs to update procurement policies to ensure compliance with federal requirements.

Finding Text

FINDING 2024-001 Material Weakness in Internal Controls Over Compliance, Material Noncompliance – Procurement Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pass through Grantor: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. Federal Program: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Assistance Listing Number: 10.310 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pass through Grantor: Not Applicable – Direct Award Federal Program: Soil and Water Conservation Assistance Listing Number: 10.902 Federal Award Identification Number: NR243A750023C002 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pass through Grantor: University of Arizona Federal Program: Soil and Water Conservation Assistance Listing Number: 10.902 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pass through Grantor: Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District Federal Program: Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Assistance Listing Number: 10.934 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Interior Pass through Grantor: Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia Federal Program: Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety Assistance Listing Number: 15.611 Criteria: Per 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, 200.320, if the aggregate dollar amount of the procurement transaction is higher than the micro-purchase threshold ($10,000) but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000), price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Condition/Context: Through Procurement testing, we identified 3 vendors which exceeded the micro-purchase threshold but did not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The total amount of federal expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2024 for these 3 vendors was $52,327. For all 3 vendors, we determined that the procurement methodology followed did not align with federal simplified acquisition procurement requirements. Cause: Management has not updated their procurement policy for federal awards to ensure it aligns with federal requirements. Effect: Contracts could be awarded to vendors that are not evaluated as required by federal procurement requirements. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: Management should develop and implement procurement policies that align with federal requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Management will develop and implement a procurement policy for federal awards that aligns with federal requirements including setting thresholds based on aggregate dollar amounts of procurement transactions. This policy will include requirements for the retention of price comparisons or quotes and decision-making.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1155433 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155434 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155435 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155436 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155438 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1155439 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.934 Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program $93,400
10.902 Soil and Water Conservation $87,895
47.074 Biological Sciences $81,303
15.611 Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety $61,067
10.707 Research Joint Venture and Cost Reimbursable Agreements $36,932
10.701 Stewardship Agreements $17,418
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (afri) $8,878
15.615 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund $8,417
15.657 Endangered Species Recovery Implementation $7,707