FAC Explorer

Finding 1182851 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-25
Audit: 394266
Organization: City of Meriden, Connecticut (CT)
Auditor: CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City used a noncompetitive procurement process for a contract over $10,000 without valid justification, violating federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: The City must solicit competitive quotations for contracts exceeding $10,000 as per local and federal policies.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The City should review and improve its procurement processes to align with federal guidelines.

Finding Text

Procurement Federal Agency: Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: SLFRP0128 - 2021 Award Period: 6/7/2021 - 12/31/2026 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance - Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: The City is required by local/federal policy to solicit competitive quotations for contracts over $10,000. Condition: The City utilized a noncompetitive procurement with a bid waiver. However, the rationale did not meet the criteria for a noncompetitive procurement with federal funds. Questioned costs: $23,750 Context: The City did not utilize the appropriate procurement method for 1 out of 8 selections tested. Cause: The small-business beneficiary of this project would have suffered significant losses had the project been delayed in order for a competitive procurement to take place. Due to the urgency/timeliness to maintain the schedule, a bid waiver was obtained; however, the rationale for the bid waiver does not comply with federal procurement standards. Effect: Immaterial noncompliance with federal program requirements. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the City review its procurement processes to ensure they comply with federal guidance. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with this finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Procurement Description of Finding The City utilized a noncompetitive procurement with a bid waiver. However, the rationale did not meet the criteria for a noncompetitive procurement with federal funds. The small-business beneficiary of this project would have suffered significant losses had the project been delayed in order for a competitive procurement to take place. Due to the urgency/timeliness to maintain the schedule, a bid waiver was obtained; however, the rationale for the bid waiver does not comply with federal procurement standards. Statement of Concurrence or Nonconcurrence Management agrees with this finding. Corrective Action We recommend that the City review its procurement processes to ensure they comply with federalguidance. Projected Completion Date June 30, 2026 Name of Contact Person Kevin McNabola, Finance Director

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1182852 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182853 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
66.458 CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND $2.49M
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $1.96M
97.047 BRIC: BUILDING RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES $1.75M
10.557 WIC SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN $1.74M
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $1.46M
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $1.16M
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $831,557
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $737,080
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $711,162
20.106 AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT PROGRAMS, AND COVID-19 AIRPORTS PROGRAMS $369,718
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $333,138
10.582 FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM $247,195
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $226,653
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $165,552
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $160,734
20.513 ENHANCED MOBILITY OF SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES $139,162
16.922 EQUITABLE SHARING PROGRAM $106,499
93.268 IMMUNIZATION COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS $97,066
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $33,384
16.607 BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM $32,486
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $29,776
81.128 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (EECBG) $28,201
93.044 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE III, PART B, GRANTS FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND SENIOR CENTERS $26,912
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $26,452
10.579 CHILD NUTRITION DISCRETIONARY GRANTS LIMITED AVAILABILITY $24,840
16.738 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM $21,598
10.185 LOCAL FOOD FOR SCHOOLS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM $20,068
93.323 EPIDEMIOLOGY AND LABORATORY CAPACITY FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES (ELC) $16,600
97.042 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANTS $14,575
20.205 HIGHWAY PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION $14,395
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $13,975
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $4,856
20.607 ALCOHOL OPEN CONTAINER REQUIREMENTS $4,219
84.126 REHABILITATION SERVICES VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION GRANTS TO STATES $1,352
84.196 EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH $451
66.818 BROWNFIELDS MULTIPURPOSE, ASSESSMENT, REVOLVING LOAN FUND, AND CLEANUP COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS $275
93.600 HEAD START $25