Finding 1201229 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-30
Audit: 395895
Organization: City of Boston (MA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) failed to report subawards as required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA).
  • Impacted Requirements: OWD did not establish necessary procedures or controls for timely and accurate reporting of subawards over $30,000 to SAM.gov.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: OWD should create and implement procedures to ensure compliance with FFATA reporting requirements by the end of the month following each subaward issuance.

Finding Text

Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department Commerce Federal Program: Economic Development Cluster City Department: Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) Assistance Listing Number: 11.307 Federal Award Number and Year: ED22HDQ3070112 (9/1/2022 – 9/1/2026) ED22HDQ3070112 (7/2/2024 – 9/1/2026) Compliance Requirement: Reporting – Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Noncompliance Criteria or specific requirement: Compliance: Per the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), prime (direct) recipients of grants or cooperative agreements are required to report first-tier subawards of $30,000 or more to the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS). Reports must be filed in FSRS by the end of the month following the month in which the prime recipient awards any sub-grant greater than or equal to $30,000. If the initial award is below $30,000 but subsequent grant modifications result in a total award equal to or over $30,000, the award will be subject to the reporting requirements as of the date the award exceeds $30,000. If the initial award equals or exceeds $30,000 but funding is subsequently de-obligated such that the total award amount falls below $30,000, the award continues to be subject to FFATA reporting requirements. On March 8, 2025, FSRS.gov was retired, and all subaward reporting data and functionality transitioned to SAM.gov after that date. The following key data elements must be reported: Subawardee Name and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; Amount of Subaward (inclusive of modifications); Subaward Obligation/Action Date; Date of Report Submission; Subaward Number; Project Description; and Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers. (Names and Compensation of Highly Compensated Officers must only be reported when the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal awards; and $30,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal awards; and the public does not have access to this information about the compensation of the senior executives of the entity through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. §§ 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.) Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: 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 comply 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). Condition: The OWD did not report subaward information in accordance with FFATA requirements. Context: The OWD informed auditors that no subawards were reported. Therefore, a sample was unavailable for testing. Cause: The OWD does not have procedures or controls regarding subaward reporting in accordance with FFATA requirements. Effect: Subawards were not reported in accordance with FFATA requirements. Questioned costs: None noted. Recommendation: We recommend the OWD develop procedures and internal controls to ensure that all required subawards are reported timely and accurately to SAM.gov no later than the end of the month following the month of issuance of each subaward. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Economic Development Cluster - Assistance Listing No. 11.307 Recommendation: We recommend the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development develop procedures and internal controls to ensure that all required subawards are reported timely and accurately to SAM.gov no later than the end of the month following the month of issuance of each subaward. Action taken in response to finding: The City has implemented a more timely FFATA review and submission procedure in FY25/FY26, however due to this award having been transferred from another organization this was not able to be submitted on Sam.gov. The City made multiple attempts to have the award updated in the system but due to this program ending, there was no contact available to remedy this issue. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Colin Musto, Assistant City Auditor Planned completion date for corrective action plan: March 1, 2026

Categories

No categories assigned yet.

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1201230 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201231 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201232 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201233 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201234 2025-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201235 2025-008
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.239 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM $158.21M
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $64.98M
14.267 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM $41.49M
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $30.83M
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $17.74M
97.067 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM $15.55M
11.307 ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE $6.52M
97.083 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) $4.59M
84.365 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STATE GRANTS $3.48M
14.241 HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS $3.38M
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $3.26M
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $2.78M
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $2.61M
93.053 NUTRITION SERVICES INCENTIVE PROGRAM $1.99M
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $1.67M
97.044 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT $1.67M
97.106 SECURING THE CITIES PROGRAM $1.58M
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $1.55M
14.231 EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM $1.54M
84.184 SCHOOL SAFELY NATIONAL ACTIVITIES $1.18M
66.443 REDUCING LEAD IN DRINKING WATER (SDWA 1459B) $998,355
84.287 TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS $897,660
12.556 COMPETITIVE GRANTS: PROMOTING K-12 STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AT MILITARY-CONNECTED SCHOOLS $851,231
84.336 TEACHER QUALITY PARTNERSHIP GRANTS $829,765
10.582 FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM $819,483
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $804,521
17.258 WIOA ADULT PROGRAM $709,637
14.905 LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION DEMONSTRATION GRANT PROGRAM $686,910
93.434 EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT/PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS $672,566
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $649,843
97.141 SHELTER AND SERVICES PROGRAM $643,732
17.259 WIOA YOUTH ACTIVITIES $635,881
93.044 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE III, PART B, GRANTS FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND SENIOR CENTERS $622,567
16.833 NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT KIT INITIATIVE $598,768
21.023 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $575,529
17.207 EMPLOYMENT SERVICE/WAGNER-PEYSER FUNDED ACTIVITIES $556,506
97.036 DISASTER GRANTS - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTERS) $545,842
17.278 WIOA DISLOCATED WORKER FORMULA GRANTS $461,799
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $452,361
97.111 REGIONAL CATASTROPHIC PREPAREDNESS GRANT PROGRAM (RCPGP) $450,574
16.741 DNA BACKLOG REDUCTION PROGRAM $426,907
16.738 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM $423,617
20.940 RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES PILOT (RCP) DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM $414,539
93.079 COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS TO PROMOTE ADOLESCENT HEALTH THROUGH SCHOOL-BASED HIV/STD PREVENTION AND SCHOOL-BASED SURVEILLANCE $376,485
17.225 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE $327,933
14.401 FAIR HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $325,658
93.493 CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTIVES $319,928
16.838 COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID, STIMULANT, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES USE PROGRAM $309,554
94.016 AMERICORPS SENIORS SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM (SCP) 94.016 $304,278
16.745 CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE AND MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATION PROGRAM $273,319
93.052 NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT, TITLE III, PART E $231,593
10.331 GUS SCHUMACHER NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM $215,055
81.128 ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (EECBG) $210,370
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $202,192
10.727 INFLATION REDUCTION ACT URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTRY PROGRAM $201,700
93.042 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE VII, CHAPTER 2, LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN SERVICES FOR OLDER INDIVIDUALS $178,267
20.941 STRENGTHENING MOBILITY AND REVOLUTIONIZING TRANSPORTATION (SMART) GRANTS PROGRAM $172,810
84.002 ADULT EDUCATION - BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $170,470
84.423 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM $166,885
16.710 PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERSHIP AND COMMUNITY POLICING GRANTS $161,020
97.047 BRIC: BUILDING RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES $158,915
94.002 AMERICORPS SENIORS RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP) 94.002 $152,713
93.043 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE III, PART D, DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION SERVICES $131,753
14.248 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS SECTION 108 LOAN GUARANTEES $124,254
16.588 VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FORMULA GRANTS $119,401
84.196 EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH $108,194
93.042 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE III, PART D, DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION SERVICES $101,643
97.042 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANTS $99,754
87.003 NICHOLAS AND ZACHARY BURT MEMORIAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING PREVENTION GRANTS $98,280
47.070 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $86,303
16.751 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM $72,654
66.818 BROWNFIELDS MULTIPURPOSE, ASSESSMENT, REVOLVING LOAN FUND, AND CLEANUP COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS $69,403
97.056 PORT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM $57,616
20.600 STATE AND COMMUNITY HIGHWAY SAFETY $44,765
21.009 VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM $41,073
93.566 REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE STATE/REPLACEMENT DESIGNEE ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS $35,856
11.417 SEA GRANT SUPPORT $35,077
10.579 CHILD NUTRITION DISCRETIONARY GRANTS LIMITED AVAILABILITY $34,070
15.904 HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND GRANTS-IN-AID $33,100
10.575 FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM $31,694
16.742 PAUL COVERDELL FORENSIC SCIENCES IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM $24,206
93.045 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE III, PART C, NUTRITION SERVICES $12,136
14.246 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/BROWNFIELDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE $8,333
17.285 REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP $1,074
17.289 COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING $436
66.312 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT (EJG2G) PROGRAM $360
10.935 URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION $78