Finding Text
2025: Procurement Procedures (Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance) Federal Program: American Recovery Plan Act Federal ALN: 21.027 Criteria: Under 2 CFR 200.214 (previously 200.213) requires the City to verify that contractors are not suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government. This verification may be accomplished by checking the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) or obtaining a certification from the vendor. Condition and Context: During our testing, we identified two (2) transactions for which suspension and debarment checks were not performed or documented prior to contract award. Cause: Undetermined. Effect or Potential Effect: Failure to perform suspension/debarment checks increases the risk of noncompliance with federal regulations, potential ineligible costs changed to federal programs, and diminished assurance that contracts are awards fairly and to responsible parties. Questioned Costs: None. Identification as a Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that management strengthen procurement procedures to ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Specifically: - Perform and document suspension and debarment checks (e.g., through SAM.gov) prior to awarding contracts; and - Provide staff training on federal procurement standards and maintain documentation supporting compliance for each federally funded procurement. Responsible Official's Response: Please see the last page of this report for the response to this finding.