Finding Text
Identification of the Federal Program - Assistance Listing Number 21.027 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, United States Department of Treasury, Pass-Through Entity: Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. Assistance Listing Number 97.036 - Disaster Grants - Presidentially Declared Disasters, United States Department of Homeland Security, Pass-Through Entity: Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Criteria - Uniform Guidance requirements state that recipients must verify that a proposed contractor does not appear on the federal government's Excluded Parties List prior to executing an agreement or contract with that entity. Condition - Debarment and suspension status was not verified prior to contracting with vendor, in accordance with compliance requirements. Cause - The City did not include federal suspension and debarment wording in contracts in accordance with their documented policies. Effect - Potential material noncompliance with federal award compliance requirements. Questioned Costs - There are no questioned costs associated with the finding. Context - The City has established a procedure for including federal language in all contracts. This procedure was established subsequent to entering into the identified contracts. Subsequent inquiry determined the contractors were not suspended or debarred. Repeat Finding - This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation - The City should expand its current internal control procedures they have in place for its procurement process to include consideration of federal funding requirements. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action - The City concurs with the finding and has provided a response in the Corrective Action Plan.