Finding Text
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001, 10.200, 10.215, 10.307, 10.310, 10.311, 10.443 and 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Award Identification Numbers: 58-5090-2-037 2022-38624-38368 2021-38640-34714 A0242501X443G026 2022-38640-37486 2023-51300-40959 2021-68012-35917 2019-68012-29852 2020-68012-31934 2021-49400-35592 NR225F48XXXXG006 Direct Award Periods: August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2027, September 1, 2023 through February 28, 2025, September 29, 2022 through September 30, 2027, September 27 2024 through September 26, 2027 and September 27, 2022 through June 30, 2026 Name of Pass-through Entities and Award Periods: Michigan State University-September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025; Regents of the University of Minnesota-March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025, April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025, and September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025; Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System-January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 and September 1, 2018 through August 31, 2024. Criteria or Specific Requirement: In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.303, non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over federal awards to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, changes in key personnel typically require prior written approval from the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity, as described in 2 CFR § 200.308(c)(2). Condition: During the audit, we noted that the Organization does not have documented internal controls or formal procedures in place to monitor and manage compliance with the key personnel requirements under its federal awards. Specifically, There is no control in place to identify or track which personnel are designated as “key personnel” in award documents. No procedures exist to ensure that required prior approvals are obtained from the federal awarding agency before any changes in key personnel are made. No review or oversight process is in place to ensure that key personnel are actively participating at the level of effort committed in the approved award. Cause: The Organization has not developed or implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with special terms and conditions related to key personnel requirements under federal awards. Effect or Potential Effect: The lack of internal controls over key personnel requirements increases the risk that required prior approvals may not be obtained when changes occur, or that personnel effort commitments are not being met. This could result in noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the award, potential disallowance of costs, or reputational risk with federal awarding agencies. Repeat Finding: This finding is a repeat of Finding 2023-007. Recommendation: The Organization should implement internal controls and written procedures to: Identify and track key personnel for each award, based on the approved budget or notice of award. Establish a process to ensure that prior written approval is obtained before any changes to key personnel are made. Monitor and document key personnel effort to ensure it aligns with award requirements and commitments. Provide training to relevant staff on the importance of key personnel compliance and the procedures for requesting changes. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and will implement internal controls and document its policies and procedures related to key personnel.