Finding Text
Information on the federal program: Subject: Child Nutrition Cluster - Internal Controls Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Federal Program: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program for Children Assistance Listing Number: 10.553, 10.555, 10.559 Federal Award Numbers and Years (or Other Identifying Numbers): FY2024 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Audit Finding: Significant Deficiency Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.318(a) states: "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." 2 CFR 200.320 states in part: "The non-Federal Entity must use one of the following methods of procurement. . . . (b) Procurement by small purchase procedures. Small purchase procedures are those relatively simple and informal procurement methods for securing services, supplies, or other property that do not cost more than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources. . . ." 2 CFR 180.300 states: "When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking the SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person." Condition: An effective internal control system was not in place at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the Child Nutrition Program and Procurement compliance requirements. Cause: The School Corporation's management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have ensured compliance with the Procurement and Suspension and Debarment compliance requirement. Effect: The failure to establish an effective internal control system placed the School Corporation at risk of noncompliance with the grant agreement and the compliance requirements. A lack of segregation of duties within an internal control system could have also allowed noncompliance with the compliance requirements and allowed the misuse and mismanagement of federal funds and assets by not having proper oversight, reviews, and approvals over the activities of the programs. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs identified. Context: The School Corporation is a member of a purchasing cooperative, who handles the procurement process and establishes competitively awarded contracts for the majority of food service purchases. For one-time purchases such as food service equipment, the School Corporation is responsible for handling the procurement process. For one of the two small purchase method procurements sampled for testing, the School Corporation disbursed $54,903 for food service equipment in fiscal year 2024. The procurement for this item was handled at the school level. We noted the School Corporation did not maintain documentation to demonstrate that it obtained quotes from an adequate number of qualified sources. The School Corporation did properly obtain the suspension and debarment certification from the vendor, however. This finding is isolated to fiscal year 2024. There were no purchases in 2025 that required a simplified acquisition or small purchase procurement other than those procured by the food service cooperative. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: No Recommendation: We recommend the School Corporation's management establish a system of internal controls related to ensure that the School Corporation’s procurement policy is adhered to and quotes are obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources as required for small purchase method procurements. We recommend that documentation is maintained to support the appropriate procurement process is followed. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management has agreed with the finding and prepared a corrective action plan.