Finding 1156451 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Illinois Network of Charter Schools did not file any subawards for the Charter Schools program grant by the required deadline.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), which mandates timely reporting of subawards over $30,000.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should update their subaward policy and implement procedures to ensure compliance with FFATA reporting deadlines moving forward.

Finding Text

Condition The subawards under the Charter Schools program grant for the year ended December 31, 2024 were not filed by the deadline for any of the subawards made by Illinois Network of Charter Schools (the Organization). Criteria In accordance with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), grant recipients are required to report all subawards made under federal grants that are funded at $30,000 or more no later than the end of the month following the month in which the subaward obligation was made. Cause and Effect The Organization failed to report any subawards as a result of lack of knowledge regarding this reporting requirement. Questioned Costs None noted. Recommendation We recommend that management evaluate and update their subaward granting policy to ensure that the required FFATA reporting is completed timely. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions Management will ensure that the subaward information is reported to FFATA no later than the end of the month following the date of obligation, consistent with 2 CFR § 170.200 and related guidance. To date, management has complied with certain FFATA requirements by registering in sam.gov, obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier, and maintaining an active registration. Going forward, management will implement procedures to ensure timely and accurate submission of subaward data in accordance with FFATA requirements.

Corrective Action Plan

Joyanna Smith, Chief Program & Operations Officer (CPOO), will develop and implement written internal procedures for FFATA compliance. These will include a step- by-step checklist for reporting subawards in SAM.gov. Allison Jack, CSP Grant Project Director, will designate a responsible staff member - the CSP Grant Manager - to oversee FFATA reporting and maintain a comprehensive log of all qualifying subawards. The CSP Grant Manager will provide training to finance and grants management staff on FFATA reporting requirements and timelines. Joyanna Smith, CPOO, will conduct monthly reviews of subaward activity to ensure all required reporting is completed by the end of the month following the obligation date. FFATA reporting will be incorporated into INCS’s quarterly internal compliance monitoring process to sustain ongoing compliance.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.282 Charter Schools $1.95M