Finding 1164735 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2025-12-13

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School failed to keep proper records for food and construction vendor transactions, violating federal procurement requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2CFR 200.318(i) regarding record-keeping for procurement methods and vendor evaluations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement federal procurement guidelines and ensure retention of all procurement documentation to avoid future deficiencies.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001, Significant deficiency Identification of federal program: US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE passed through the Indiana Department of Education Child Nutrition Cluster 10.553 & 10.555, US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION passed through the Indiana Department of Education Chater School Facilities Incentive Grant 84.282D Criteria: According to 2CFR 200.318(i) the recipient or subrecipient must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of each procurement transaction. These records must include the rationale for the procurement method, contract type selection, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: The School did not maintain records for food and construction vendors that met the acquisition thresholds for the year. Cause: The School’s procurement policies do not address the frequency of which vendors should be evaluated. In addition, the policies also do not address records retention. Potential effect: The procurement may not have been proper under the grant requirements. Questioned costs: None. Repeat Finding: Repeat of finding 2024-004. Context: A total sample of two (2) of thirteen (13) purchases related to a certain food provider were selected as a part of procurement and suspension and debarment compliance requirement testing for the Child Nutrition Cluster. Additionally, one (1) of two (2) construction projects begun during the fiscal year did not undergo a formal RFP nor were posted publicly to obtain multiple bids. Recommendation: We recommend that the School follow federal procurement guidelines for each of the different purchase thresholds for each vendor. We further recommend that the School retain any documentation created related to the procurement selection and vetting process. Views of Responsible Officials: See attached Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Criteria: According to 2CFR 200.318(i) the recipient or subrecipient must maintain records sufficient to detail the history of each procurement transaction. These records must include the rationale for the procurement method, contract type selection, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis for the contract price. Condition: The School did not maintain records for food and construction vendors that met the acquisition thresholds for the year. Cause: The School's procurement policies do not address the frequency of which vendors should be evaluated. In addition, the policies also do not address records retention. Potential Effect: The procurement may not have been proper under the grant requirements.Recommendation: We recommend that the School follow federal procurement guidelines for each of the different purchase thresholds for each vendor. We further recommend that the School retain any documentation created related to the procurement selection and vetting process. Action: As of the date of this exit conference, we will adopt the above recommendations, securing and retaining the appropriate documentation of vendor selection and retention.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1164733 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164734 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164736 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164737 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1164738 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.282 CHARTER SCHOOLS $395,138
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $333,391
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $197,874
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $144,734
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $132,425
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $86,596
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $45,946
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $19,493
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $1,933