Finding 1156774 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 369104
Organization: Town of Alexander (NY)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Town did not follow proper procurement procedures for engineering services as required by CFR §1780.39.
  • Impacted Requirements: Failure to evaluate competitors' qualifications and publicly announce requirements may lead to unfair pricing and unqualified selections.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure future procurement of engineering services complies with regulations to avoid repeat findings.

Finding Text

Federal Agency - United States Department of Treasury Federal Programs - COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (21.027) Federal Award Years - 2021 State Agency - Not applicable Reference - 2024-003 Procurement - Noncompliance Criteria - Management is responsible for procuring engineering services. CFR §1780.39 (b) states applicants should negotiate for procurement of professional services, whereby competitor’s qualifications are evaluated and the most qualified competitor is selected, subject to negotiations of fair and reasonable compensation. CFR §1780.39(b)(l)(i) states applicants shall publicly announce all requirements for engineering and architectural services. Condition - The engineering services for the construction of water district #6 was not procured in accordance with CFR §1780.39. Cause - The Town contracted with an engineering firm they used in the past. Statistical Sampling - The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Effect of Condition - The Town may not have received the fairest and most reasonable pricing for engineering services or selected the most qualified firm. Repeat Finding - This is a repeat finding of item 2023-003 as reported for the year ended December 31, 2023. Recommendation - We recommend that the Town procure these services in the future. Questioned Costs - None. Perspective - This was the only program tested for procurement. As such, there may be more procurement issues. View’s of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - Management will procure engineering services in the future.

Corrective Action Plan

Name of Auditee: Town of Alexander, New York Name of Audit Firm: EFPR Group, CPAs, PLLC Period Covered by the Audit: Year ended December 31, 2024 CAP Prepared by: David Miller, Supervisor Phone: 585-591-2455 (3) Audit Finding 2024-003 - The engineering services for the construction of water district #6 was not procured. (a) Implementation Plan of Actions - The Town will procure engineering services in the future. (b) Implementation Date - This will be implemented for the year ended December 31, 2025. (c) Persons Responsible for Implementation - The Town Board and Supervisor of the Town of Alexander.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Covid-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $2.06M
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $27,404