Finding 1215410 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-05-22
Audit: 402011
Organization: Town of Medfield (MA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Town of Medfield did not follow proper procurement procedures for federally funded engineering services, risking non-compliance with federal standards.
  • Impacted Requirements: The procurement process must adhere to 2 CFR sections 200.318-326, requiring formal bidding for projects exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a separate bidding process for all future expenses related to federal grant funds to ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001 – COVID 19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund - AL No. 21.027 U.S. Department of Treasury Other Matters Related to Internal Control over Compliance of the Major Program Criteria: Non‐federal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. Condition and Context: During our testing as it related to compliance with procurement we noted that an expense for engineering services for the Waste Water Treatment Assessment services charged to the major program would have required a formal bidding process as the project exceeded the simplified acquisition threshold. The Town had selected the engineering company for “On Call” engineering services as it related to the DPW through a request for qualifications process. The contract does include as part of the services to be provided Waste Water Treatment Assessment services. However, the contract is not specific to federally funded projects. The Town of Medfield had submitted the request for qualifications documentation as well as the executed contracted for “On Call” services to both the Town’s consulting service and the pass through entity for approval of the Waste Water Treatment Assessment. The pass through entity and the pass through entities Auditors did not have any concerns with the request for qualifications as it relates to the Waste Water Treatment Assessment project. Questioned Costs: $175,500 Cause: Based on the judgement of the pass through entity (Norfolk County) and their auditors, the Town was approved to procure engineering services for the Waste Water Treatment Assessment as part of a larger “On Call” services contract. The Town did select the contractor through a competitive request for qualifications process, but did not initiate a separate procurement for the sub-project. Effect or Potential Effect: There is risk that amounts charged to the federal awards major program may not be in accordance with procurement, suspension, and debarment principles. Identification as a Repeat Finding: 2024-001 Recommendation: Going forward, the Town of Medfield should consider a separate bidding process for expenses related to federal grant funds. Management Response: Due to the differences in the interpretation of federal requirements regarding competitive procurement, the Town will follow the more restrictive one on an ongoing basis. New projects paid for by federal grants will have separate procurements.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2025-001 – COVID 19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund - AL No. 21.027 U.S. Department of Treasury Other Matters Related to Internal Control over Compliance of the Major Program Criteria: Non‐federal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. Condition and Context: During our testing as it related to compliance with procurement we noted that an expense for engineering services for the Waste Water Treatment Assessment services charged to the major program would have required a formal bidding process as the project exceeded the simplified acquisition threshold. The Town had selected the engineering company for “On Call” engineering services as it related to the DPW through a request for qualifications process. The contract does include as part of the services to be provided Waste Water Treatment Assessment services. However, the contract is not specific to federally funded projects. The Town of Medfield had submitted the request for qualifications documentation as well as the executed contracted for “On Call” services to both the Town’s consulting service and the pass through entity for approval of the Waste Water Treatment Assessment. The pass through entity and the pass through entities Auditors did not have any concerns with the request for qualifications as it relates to the Waste Water Treatment Assessment project. Questioned Costs: $175,500 Cause: Based on the judgement of the pass through entity (Norfolk County) and their auditors, the Town was approved to procure engineering services for the Waste Water Treatment Assessment as part of a larger “On Call” services contract. The Town did select the contractor through a competitive request for qualifications process, but did not initiate a separate procurement for the sub-project. Effect or Potential Effect: There is risk that amounts charged to the federal awards major program may not be in accordance with procurement, suspension, and debarment principles. Identification as a Repeat Finding: 2024-001 Recommendation: Going forward, the Town of Medfield should consider a separate bidding process for expenses related to federal grant funds. Responsible for Corrective Plan: Contact Person: Kristine Trierweiler, Town Administrator Estimated Completion Date: May 7th, 2026 Action Taken: On an ongoing basis, the Town will initiate separate procurements for projects covered under federal grants.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
97.005 STATE AND LOCAL HOMELAND SECURITY NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM $154,454
93.276 DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT PROGRAM GRANTS $150,609
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $100,000
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $66,471
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $55,257
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $18,793
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $18,035
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $14,934
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $8,405
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $7,373
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $4,645
97.042 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANTS $3,441