Finding Text
Finding 2025-010 – Procurement (Material Weakness and Noncompliance) Identification of the Federal Program: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury (CRF); Highway Planning and Construction, ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation (HPC). Criteria: 2 CFR 200.317-327 establishes procurement standards for nonfederal entities. This includes different requirements based on the amount of purchases made from the vendor during the year. Specifically, the recipient or subrecipient must maintain and use documented procedures for procurement transactions under a federal award or subaward, including for acquisition of property or services. Per the City’s Fiscal Policy and Procedures Manual, the small purchase method has a lower threshold of $15,000. All contracts and purchases over $15,000 must be bid. 2 CFR Part 180 requires nonfederal entities to verify that an entity they are entering into a contract with is not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded. Condition: We selected seven vendors for the two grant programs to test compliance and controls over procurement. Of those seven, it was noted that for five vendors the City did not document the appropriate procurement procedures took place and three were not verified as not being suspended or debarred. Cause: On HPC, the City contracted or accumulated costs for two vendors over the small purchase threshold and did not provide documentation of bid procedures. Also, documentation was not provided that the City ensured the vendor was not suspended or debarred prior to contracting with them. On CRF, the City contracted two vendors over the small purchase threshold and did not provide documentation of bid procedures. And finally, one vendor was disclosed as part of a cooperative purchase agreement but documentation to support the City’s participation in that agreement was not provided. In 4 instances, The City followed state bid law which allows exemptions of certain professional services from requiring a bid. The federal regulations only allow specific circumstances in which a vendor does not have to be competitively procured. These vendors did not meet that criteria. Effect: The City did not have appropriate documentation to support compliance with the procurement, suspension, and debarment requirements. Questioned Costs: HPC - $383,445; CRF - $1,538,000 Recommendation: We recommend the City reinforce its procurement policies for purchases with federal funding through regular training and clear communication to all relevant staff members. Additionally, implementing a periodic review process to ensure compliance with this policy can help prevent future occurrences. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Management’s View and Corrective Action Plan included at the end of the report.