Finding Text
Program: ALL No. 10.523 Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance over Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Repeat Finding: Yes Condition: During our audit we noted that procurement documentation was not available to support the selection of a sole source vendor nor able to obtain documentation to support the Foundation entering into contractual agreements with vendors who were not debarred or suspended from doing business with the federal government. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.514: (c) Internal control. (1) The compliance supplement provides guidance on internal controls over Federal programs based upon the guidance in Standards for Internal Control in the federal Government issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and the Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). COSO requires entities to establish and maintain effective internal controls to achieve operational, reporting and compliance objectives. Per 2 CFR 200.320 General procurement: (a) Noncompetitive procurement. There are specific circumstances in which noncompetitive procurement can be used. Noncompetitive procurement can only be awarded if one or more of the following circumstances apply: (1) The acquisition of property or services, the aggregate dollar amount of which does not exceed the micro-purchase threshold; (2) The item is available only from a single source; (3) The public exigency or emergency for the requirement will not permit a delay resulting from publicizing a competitive solicitation; (4) The federal awarding agency or pass-through entity expressly authorizes a noncompetitive procurement in response to a written request from the non-federal entity; or (5) After solicitation of a number of sources, competition is determined inadequate. Per 2 CFR 200.318 General procurement: (b) The non-federal entity must use its own documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable state, local, and tribal laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal law and the standards identified in this part. Per Uniform Guidance, non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. “Covered transactions” include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. Cause: Program personnel were unaware of the requirement included in Uniform Guidance related to procedures required for procurement. Effect: If procurement were not in compliance with Uniform Guidance, the Foundation would not identify the noncompliance timely. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that management develop and implement written procurement policies and procedures in accordance with Uniform Guidance, provide periodic training to program personnel, and establish a review process to ensure procurement activities comply with applicable federal requirements. We also recommend the Foundation follow their process to verify that entities are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded annually at time of award and to document these procedures. Auditee Response and Corrective Action Plan: Refer to management’s corrective action plans. Auditor’s Conclusion: Finding remains as stated.