Finding 1190834 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-27

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The district failed to verify the suspension and debarment status of a vendor during a new transaction, despite the vendor not being currently suspended or debarred.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal regulations (2 CFR §200.214) regarding vendor eligibility for federal programs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update policies to require verification of vendor status for all transactions and ensure documentation is retained as per federal guidelines.

Finding Text

Federal program – Child Nutrition Cluster – Assistance Listing Numbers 10.553 (School Breakfast Program), 10.555 (National School Lunch Program), and 10.559 (Summer Food Service Program for Children) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Program Year 2024–2025 Criteria or specific requirement – Suspension and debarment – 2 CFR §200.214 Condition – During our audit, documentation supporting verification of the suspension and debarment status was not able to be provided for a vendor with which a new covered transaction was entered. However, the vendor is not currently registered as being suspended or debarred. Cause – District procedures are designed to verify suspension and debarment status only upon initial vendor setup and do not require verification upon execution of each new covered transaction with an existing vendor. Effect or potential effect – This condition increases the risk that covered transactions could be entered into with vendors that may become suspended or debarred after initial vendor setup, which could result in noncompliance with federal requirements if not addressed. Questioned Costs – N/A Context – Out of a population of five vendors with which a covered transaction was entered into during the period, one was selected for testing. Documentation supporting the verification of the suspension and debarment status for this vendor was not able to be provided. Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable – N/A Recommendation – We recommend the District update its policies and procedures to require suspension and debarment verification for all covered transactions, including those involving existing vendors, either prior to contract execution or award or on an annual basis. The District should also ensure such reviews are documented and retained in accordance with federal record retention requirements. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action – Management agrees with this finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding: During our audit, we identified that the District failed to check the suspension and debarment status of a vendor with which a new covered transaction was entered. The vendor is not currently registered as being suspended or debarred. Corrective Action: Tulsa Public Schools acknowledges the finding and is implementing corrective measures to update existing policies and procedures to perform the suspension and debarment verification for all covered transactions on a regular basis. Implementation of these corrective measures is expected by June 30, 2026. Owner: Robert Sauceda, Executive Director of Accounting

Categories

School Nutrition Programs Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1190831 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190832 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190833 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190835 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190836 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190837 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190838 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $5.06M
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $1.88M
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $1.10M
10.582 FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM $747,675
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $630,944
84.060 INDIAN EDUCATION GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $585,006
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $582,879
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $330,000
93.778 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $264,716
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $220,073
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $149,257
84.196 EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH $127,504
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $122,184
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $117,886
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $106,789
93.566 REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE STATE/REPLACEMENT DESIGNEE ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS $78,973
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $50,000
15.130 INDIAN EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS $47,598
97.137 STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM TRIBAL CYBERSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM $40,000
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $30,000
84.013 TITLE I STATE AGENCY PROGRAM FOR NEGLECTED AND DELINQUENT CHILDREN AND YOUTH $25,875
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $21,595
21.019 CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND $12,517