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Finding Reference 2024-003: Insufficient Non-Federal Share Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce Compliance Requirement: Matching, Level of Efforts, Earmarking Federal Program: 11.034 - MBDA Business Center- Capital Readiness Program Grant Award: MB23OBD8020301 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Condition/Context: CRMSDC reported $191,585 in matching expenditures for Grant Year 1. However, the supporting documentation provided totaled only $114,473, which did not align with the categories in the approved matching budget of $189,250. Reported costs included expenditures outside of approved categories and did not reconcile to the grant agreement requirements. As a result, there was a shortfall of $74,777 in the required non-federal share. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR §200.306, cost sharing or matching contributions must be verifiable from the recipient’s records, necessary and reasonable for the program, and must meet the amounts and categories established in the approved award budget. Cause: CRMSDC did not establish adequate procedures to ensure that matching expenditures were tracked and reported in accordance with approved budget categories and amounts. Further, management did not seek or obtain prior approval from the awarding agency for any modification or waiver of the matching requirement. Effect: As a result, CRMSDC did not fully meet the required non-federal share. This noncompliance exposes the organization to potential disallowance of costs, repayment of federal funds, or other administrative actions by the awarding agency. Questioned Costs: $74,777 32 CAPITAL REGION MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC. SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 – (CONTINUTED) Recommendation: We recommend that CRMSDC strengthen its monitoring controls and procedures to ensure compliance with matching requirements. Specifically, management should: • Implement periodic reviews (e.g., quarterly) to compare actual contributions against the required match amounts and approved budget categories. • Maintain detailed and verifiable documentation for all matching costs. • Provide training to staff responsible for grant compliance on Uniform Guidance and award-specific requirements. • Seek timely approval from the awarding agency for any modifications to budget categories or matching requirements. • Develop and implement a corrective action plan to address the identified shortfall and to prevent recurrence in future grant periods. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned