Finding 1161609 (2021-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2025-10-29
Audit: 371463
Organization: Defensewerx (FL)
Auditor: WARREN AVERETT

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization is not following cash management rules by requesting funds in advance without minimizing the time between receiving and using those funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with OMB guidelines for cash management is lacking, leading to potential non-compliance issues.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Develop a business plan for grants with cash advances, establish clear policies for cash management, and consider operating on a cost reimbursement basis to reduce advances.

Finding Text

Criteria The cash management compliance requirements in Part 3 of the OMB Compliance Supplement indicate recipients must follow procedures to minimize the time lapsing between the transfer of funds from the federal government and disbursement when awards are provided for in advance payments. Condition The Organization requests funds from their grantors in advance with no procedures in place to minimize the time between their drawdown and disbursement. Cause Historically, upon execution of annual grant agreements, the Organization was instructed by the grantor to request the full amount of the award at that time. These awards span anywhere from six months to a year in length. Effect The Organization is not in compliance with the cash management requirements. Questioned Costs None Context The Organization does not have procedures in place to minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from the federal government and their disbursement. Recommendation The Organization should create a business plan for its grants which require cash advances and determine an appropriate length of time or interval of funding necessary for the Organization to operate at the appropriate level. The Organization should then establish policies and procedures over the development of this business plan to evidence their procedures over cash management. Lastly, the Organization should operate grants on a cost reimbursement basis, with minimal advances, when possible. Views of Responsible Officials See the accompanying Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

We agree with the recommendations offered and will establish updated policies and procedures to address the finding while considering appropriate measures for operating grants on a cost reimbursement basis. We have addressed this finding to our grantors. One grantor has requested the continuation of cash advances in the manner which we have been operating. We have worked with the other grantors and have come up with an incremental funding plan based on needs that are appropriate in maintaining the operational requirements set forth by the awards. Periodically we updated the grantor on the funds that have been used or those funds that are excess.

Categories

Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1161585 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161586 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161587 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161588 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161589 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161590 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161591 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161592 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161593 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161594 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161595 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161596 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161597 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161598 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161599 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161600 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161601 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161602 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161603 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161604 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161605 2021-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161606 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161607 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161608 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161610 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161611 2021-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1161612 2021-006
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
12.800 AIR FORCE DEFENSE RESEARCH SCIENCES PROGRAM $19.51M
12.630 BASIC, APPLIED, AND ADVANCED RESEARCH IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $6.85M
97.108 PUBLIC SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION RESEARCH, EVALUATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION $195,871
12.RD1 INNOVATION HUB MODEL STUDY $53,211