Finding 1162679 (2024-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-11-19

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: AIHEC failed to complete a sole-source justification form on time, leading to non-compliance with procurement policies.
  • Impacted Requirements: Internal controls over Federal awards and procurement procedures were not followed, violating 2 CFR 200.303 and AIHEC's own procurement policy.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should review and strengthen procurement policies to ensure compliance and proper documentation for all transactions.

Finding Text

Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 requires that the non-Federal entity must "(a) establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in "Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the comptroller General of the United States and the "Internal Control Intergrated Framework", issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)." Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Section 200.320 (a)(2) states regarding the applicability of simplified acquisition procedures: "The aggregate dollar amount of the procurement transaction is higher than the micro purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If simplified acquisition procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. Unless specified by the Federal agency, the recipient or subrecipient may exercise judgment in determining what number is adequate." Per procurement policy of AIHEC requires that for procurement by small purchase ($10,000 - $249,000), where the aggregate dollar amount is higher than the micro-purchase threshold, price or rate quotations must be obtained from three qualified sources. If three separate qualified sources cannot be obtained the reason needs to be formally documented. Condition/Context For procurement transaction tested, we noted that AIHEC did not complete a sole-source justification form timely to support the vendor that was selected. Cause Management does not have sufficient internal controls in place to ensure that AIHEC's procurement policies are followed for all procurement transactions prior to entering the procurement. Effect AIHEC entered into a procurement that did not go through a competitive solicitation process. Recommendation Management should review its policies and procedures to ensure all procurement transactions are in accordance with AIHEC's procurement policies and have the appropriate supporting documentation.

Corrective Action Plan

Management Response We accept the recommendations and have acted as follows: Training: Provided mandatory Uniform Guidance and grant-compliance training for all program and finance staff. Post-Award Grant Management System: Implemented an integrated post-award grant management system that includes a built-in reporting calendar with automated deadline notifications to ensure timely and accurate submissions. Personnel: Grants Administrator started in March 2025, and a dedicated Grants Compliance Officer to oversee all federal program requirements, is actively being recruited by the end of 2025. These measures will ensure ongoing compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance. Estimated Completion Date January 1, 2026 Responsible Party Kathy De Palma, Grants Coordinator

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1162657 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162658 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162659 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162660 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162661 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162662 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162663 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162664 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162665 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162666 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162667 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162668 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162669 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162670 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162671 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162672 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162673 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162674 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162675 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162676 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162677 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162678 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162680 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162681 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162682 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162683 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162684 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162685 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162686 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162687 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162688 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1162689 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
15.114 INDIAN EDUCATION HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT $1.52M
93.859 BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING $646,044
47.070 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $405,477
15.156 TRIBAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE $339,934
12.630 BASIC, APPLIED, AND ADVANCED RESEARCH IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $269,994
43.008 OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT (OSTEM) $195,353
10.234 AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INVESTMENT PROGRAM $186,114
10.443 OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS $177,004
10.902 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION $139,243
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $41,499