Finding Text
Item: 2025-001 Assistance Listing Number: 64.024 Program: VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Pass-Through Agencies: n/a Contract/Pass-Through Grantor Identifying Number: CCAZ999-4582-649-TP-24 Award Year: October 2021 to September 2023; October 2023 to September 2026 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Criteria: In accordance with the grant agreements, the Organization is required to submit per diem financial reports requesting payment based on the units of service provided multiplied by a per diem rate as specified in the grant agreement. Condition: In preparation of the per diem financial reports, the incorrect per diem rate was used to calculate the amount requested for payment for three reports. Questioned Costs: n/a Context: In a population of 15 per diem financial reports, we conducted a non-statistical sample of four reports. In our sample of four, we noted that the incorrect per diem rate was utilized for one financial report. Based on our review of the entire population of per diem reports and the contracted per diem rates, we noted that in accordance with the contract, the per diem rate for contract CCAZ999-4582-649-TP-24 was increased from $84.15 to $89.54 effective February 2024. However, the Organization’s financial reports for the period July 2024 – September 2024 used an incorrect per diem rate of $84.09. As a result of the Organization billing at the incorrect per diem rate, the funding agency was underbilled $894. Effect: As a result of the Organization billing at the incorrect per diem rate, the funding agency was underbilled $894. This is deemed to be a material weakness in internal control over compliance. Cause: The Organization did not have a process in place to ensure updates to the per diem rates were identified timely and properly utilized. Additionally, the Organization did not have a sufficient supervisory review process implemented for the reports submitted to the granting agency. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Repeat finding. See 2024-005 Recommendation: The Organization should implement additional controls to ensure updates to the per diem rates are identified timely and properly used. Additionally, the Organization should implement additional supervisory review processes for reports submitted to the granting agency. Views of Responsible Officials: Management of the Organization concurs with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan.