Finding 11567 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-02-02
Audit: 15375
Organization: Youngstown Preparatory Academy (OH)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School failed to document compliance with wage rate requirements for construction projects funded by federal grants.
  • Impacted Requirements: Contracts over $2,000 must comply with the Davis-Bacon Act, ensuring workers are paid prevailing wages.
  • Recommended Follow-up: The School should establish processes to review and ensure compliance with federal grant requirements moving forward.

Finding Text

Federal Award Identification Number and Year: N/A Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.425D/84.425U Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements Pass-through Entity: Ohio Department of Education Repeat Finding: No Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance – Wage Rate Requirements Criteria: All prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. The non-Federal entity must place a copy of the current prevailing wage determination issued by the Department of Labor in each solicitation. The decision to award a contract or subcontract must be conditioned upon the acceptance of the wage determination. (2 CFR 200 Appendix II (d)). Condition: There was no documentation to support compliance with wage rate requirements or documentation showing that the School required contractors to comply with prevailing wage requirements for any of the construction work. Total costs for various building improvements, renovations & repairs were $119,500 during fiscal year 2023. Questioned Costs: None. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: N/A Context: The School provided assurances to the Ohio Department of Education's Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan (CCIP) that it would comply with wage rate requirements when it communicated its plan to use federal ESSER funds for improvements to its building. Cause and Effect: The School did not comply with the special test of wage rate requirements on the various renovation, repair and improvement projects to its building that were funded with federal grants. Recommendation: The School should implement processes to review federal grant compliance requirements and implement procedures to help ensure the School complies with applicable requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: See Corrective Action Plan

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Subrecipient Monitoring Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 11566 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 588008 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 588009 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $138,392
84.282 Charter Schools $65,944
10.553 School Breakfast Program $26,831
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $10,000
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $7,888
10.555 National School Lunch Program $6,302
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $2,917
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $1,820
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $216