Finding 1201513 (2025-005)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization lacks effective internal controls to ensure timely submission of certified payrolls from contractors and subcontractors, violating federal compliance requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR §200.303) and Wage Rate Requirements (Davis-Bacon Act) is not being met, risking incorrect wage payments.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Provide staff training on compliance requirements and implement internal controls to ensure certified payrolls are received before processing pay applications.

Finding Text

2025-005 – Special Tests and Provisions, Wage Rate Requirements – Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Federal Agencies: Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.251 Programs: Economic Development Initiative, Community Project Funding, and Miscellaneous Grants Award/Pass-Through Entity Identifying Numbers: B-23-CP-WA-1539 Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR §200.303 requires that non-federal entities receiving federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Nonfederal entities shall include in their construction contracts subject to the Wage Rate Requirements (which still may be referenced as the Davis-Bacon Act) a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with those requirements and the DOL regulations (29 CFR Part 5, Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contacts Governing Federally Financed and Assisted Construction). This includes a requirement for the contractor or subcontractor to submit to the nonfederal entity weekly, for each week in which any contract work is performed, a copy of the payroll and a statement of compliance (certified payrolls). Condition: The Organization did not implement internal controls to ensure certified payrolls were being submitted. During the testing of certified payrolls, it was identified that three of 21 contractor and subcontractor selections of certified payrolls were not being submitted timely. Cause: Internal controls were not designed to ensure the certified payrolls were being submitted timely and were received and reviewed by the nonfederal entity with each pay application from the contractor. Effect or Potential Effect: Certified payrolls could fail to be prepared and/or wages not in accordance with federal requirements could be allowed in error. Questioned Costs: None. Context: This is a condition identified per review of the Organization’s compliance with specified requirements not using a statistically valid sample. Total contractor costs were $1,162,720. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization provide training to staff on all applicable compliance requirements to the Organization and implement internal controls to ensure certified payrolls are received prior to payment of a pay application. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Management is establishing policies and procedures to ensure certified payrolls are received by contractors and subcontractors at regular intervals over the course of a project.

Corrective Action Plan

2025-005 Special Tests and Provisions – Wage Rate Requirements We acknowledge BDO’s finding regarding the lack of internal controls to ensure certified payrolls were submitted timely and reviewed in accordance with Wage Rate Requirements (Davis Bacon Act and 29 CFR Part 5). During the FY25 audit, 3 out of 21 contractor and subcontractor certified payrolls tested were not submitted timely. VOAWW recognizes that timely receipt and review of certified payrolls is essential to ensuring compliance with federal wage requirements. To strengthen internal controls and ensure certified payrolls are consistently obtained, reviewed, and retained, VOAWW will implement the following corrective actions: Implementation of Certified Payroll Submission Controls Before the end of FY26, VOAWW will implement internal controls requiring contractors and subcontractors to submit certified payrolls with each pay application. These controls will include: • A requirement that certified payrolls be submitted prior to payment • A standardized checklist for verifying receipt of certified payrolls • Documentation of the review and approval process • Follow up procedures for missing or incomplete payrolls These steps will ensure certified payrolls are consistently obtained and reviewed before payment is released. Training for Staff on Wage Rate Requirements Beginning in FY26, staff responsible for managing HUD funded construction projects will receive training on: • Davis-Bacon and related wage requirements • Certified payroll documentation standards • Review procedures and red flags • Requirements under 29 CFR Part 5 Contractor Communication and Expectations Before the end of FY26, VOAWW will update contractor communication materials to clearly outline certified payroll requirements, including: • Submission timelines • Required documentation • Consequences for noncompliance • Points of contact for questions or clarifications These expectations will be reinforced during project kick off meetings and throughout the contract period. Centralized Tracking of Certified Payrolls By the end of FY26, VOAWW will implement a centralized tracking log for all certified payroll submissions. This log will document: • Receipt dates • Review dates • Reviewer initials • Any follow up actions taken This will ensure a complete audit trail and consistent monitoring of compliance. These corrective actions will strengthen VOAWW’s internal controls over Wage Rate Requirements, ensure timely receipt and review of certified payrolls, and reduce the risk of noncompliance with federal labor standards. Responsible Individual: Claire Danielson, VIP of Finance Estimated Completion Date: June 30, 2026

Categories

Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Special Tests & Provisions Subrecipient Monitoring Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1201505 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201506 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201507 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201508 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201509 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201510 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201511 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201512 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.569 EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FOOD COMMODITIES) $4.43M
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $3.92M
14.251 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, AND MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS $1.16M
14.239 COVID-19 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM $455,000
10.182 PANDEMIC RELIEF ACTIVITIES: LOCAL FOOD PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WITH STATES, TRIBES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS $368,342
14.239 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM $352,808
93.959 COVID-19 BLOCK GRANTS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE $238,026
93.566 REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE STATE/REPLACEMENT DESIGNEE ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS $188,831
21.027 COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $158,863
10.568 EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS) $153,413
93.268 IMMUNIZATION COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS $130,381
10.561 STATE ADMINISTRATIVE MATCHING GRANTS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $124,804
93.959 BLOCK GRANTS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE $116,325
10.187 THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP) COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT FUNDS $107,096
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $99,085
10.182 COVID-19 PANDEMIC RELIEF ACTIVITIES: LOCAL FOOD PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WITH STATES, TRIBES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS $85,958
93.958 BLOCK GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES $79,855
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $49,219
93.575 CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT $23,551
97.024 EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM $14,000
93.597 GRANTS TO STATES FOR ACCESS AND VISITATION PROGRAMS $11,830
93.493 CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTIVES $4,096