Finding 1156796 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 369173
Organization: Mzc Foundation Inc. (GA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Foundation lacks a formal policy for suspension and debarment, which is necessary for compliance with federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Failure to verify vendor compliance with the excluded parties list may lead to potential funding issues and the risk of having to return grant funds.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Strengthen policies to ensure proper documentation of suspension and debarment, and regularly verify vendors against the excluded parties list on sam.gov.

Finding Text

2024‐002: Suspension and Debarment‐ Material Weakness Federal Program Information: Funding Agency: U.S Department of Transportation FALN: 20.942 Thriving Communities Program Award Year: 2023-2025 Criteria: Under 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Under 2 CFR part 180, the Foundation is required to verify suspension or debarment from the excluded parties list system regarding compliance. Condition: Under 2 CFR part 180, the Foundation is required to verify suspension or debarment from the excluded parties list system regarding compliance. Though the Foundation did not have a policy for suspension and debarment, the Foundation complied with the requirements. Effect: Not having a suspension and debarment policy may result in funds to be returned back to grantor and/or impact future funding. Cause: Supporting suspension and debarment documentation for the acquisition of goods and services were not properly established in part due to several changes in personnel within the accounting area and overall limited number of personnel for certain functions and lack of board oversight. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: We recommend the Foundation strengthen its policies and procedures to ensure suspension and debarment is adequately documented that goods and services purchased in accordance with Uniform Guidance and other federal guidelines. In addition, the Foundation should verify that all vendors under covered transactions are not listed on the excluded parties list system by performing a search on sam.gov and maintaining the results of such search in the vendor’s file.

Corrective Action Plan

Recommendation: We recommend the Foundation strengthen its policies and procedures to ensure suspension and debarment is adequately documented for that goods and services purchased in accordance with Uniform Guidance and other federal guidelines. In addition, the Foundation should verify that all vendors under covered transactions are not listed on the excluded parties list system by performing a search on sam.gov and maintaining the results of such search in the vendor’s file. Grantee Response and Corrective Action Plan 2024-002: In response to the audit finding under 2 CFR part 180 regarding the necessity to verify suspension or debarment status in compliance with the excluded parties list system, it is acknowledged that while the Foundation did not previously have a formal policy specifically addressing suspension and debarment, our practices have nonetheless complied with the requirements. Recognizing the importance of formalizing these practices into policy, we are committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive policy that explicitly addresses these checks. In line with our recent enhancements in internal controls, including the engagement of aFinance Manager in 2024, this policy will reinforce our ongoing efforts to uphold the highest standards of compliance and accountability in all our operations. Responsible Parties: Allie Kelly, Executive Director Anticipated Correction Date: December 31, 2025

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1156795 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.942 Thriving Communities Program Capacity Builders Cooperative Agreements $1.95M