Finding 1215534 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-05-26
Audit: 402190
Organization: Tuerk House, Inc. (MD)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization failed to follow its own procurement policy, leading to inadequate documentation for purchases over $10,000.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with procurement and federal suspension and debarment regulations, as outlined in 45 CFR 75.329 and 2 CFR 180.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should ensure all staff understand and follow the procurement policy, implement vetting procedures for vendors, and check against the suspended and debarred list.

Finding Text

Opioid STR ALN No. 93.788 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Criteria or Specific Requirement – Procurement, Suspension and Debarment – 45 CFR 75.329, 2 CFR 180 Condition – For procurement testing, a sample of 2 procurements were selected from a population of 5 totaling $209,643. For suspension and debarment testing, a sample of 1 was selected from a population of 4 totaling $192,737. The samples were not, and are not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the samples tested, the following were determined to lack appropriate supporting documentation for compliance report. • Procurement: 2 item totaling $115,229 • Suspension and debarment: 1 item totaling $80,974 Cause – The Organization did not comply with their procurement policy. In addition, the Organization does not include a review of the federal suspended and debarment party list as part of the Organization's procurement policy. Effect or potential effect – Procurement methodology was not followed for vendor with expenses of over $10,000. In addition, that did not adhere to the federal government's suspension and debarment compliance requirements. Questioned Costs – None Context – The Organization did not have adequate policies and procedures to ensure procurement, suspension, and debarment requirements were met prior to the purchase of goods or services charged to federal awards. Upon further discussion with Tuerk House, Inc., no procurement, suspension and debarment procedures were performed on any vendors. Identification as a repeat finding – Repeat finding (see 2024-003 and 2023-004) Recommendation – We recommend management continue to ensure all personnel understand the procurement policy and adhere to the requirements and guidelines set forth in the policy. Procedures should be implemented to ensure that vendors, especially those over $10,000, are selected and vetted in accordance with policy and Uniform Guidance. In addition, policies and procedures should be put in place to ensure all vendors are not included on the suspended and debarred listing.

Corrective Action Plan

Tuerk House, Inc. acknowledges the finding related to procurement and suspension and debarment requirements and recognizes the continued need for strengthened internal controls to ensure full compliance with Uniform Guidance and the Organization’s procurement policies. To address this repeat finding, Tuerk House has implemented or is continuing to implement the following corrective actions: • Updated the procurement policy to explicitly include steps for verifying all vendors against the federal government’s System for Award Management (SAM) exclusion list prior to engaging in any procurement activity funded by federal awards. • Implemented a procurement checklist and documentation protocol to ensure proper procedures are followed for purchases exceeding $10,000, including competitive bidding, price or rate quotations, and appropriate vendor selection justification. • Conducted mandatory training for finance and program staff on updated procurement procedures, including documentation and vendor vetting protocols, with ongoing training to reinforce compliance. • Established a centralized record-keeping system to retain documentation related to procurement, vendor selection, and debarment checks in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR § 180. The Organization remains committed to full compliance and will continue to ensure that all future procurements charged to federal awards meet the applicable requirements. Organization Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action – Kisun Peters, Director of Finance Anticipated Completion Date – June 30, 2026

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1215533 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.788 OPIOID STR $2.50M
93.959 BLOCK GRANTS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE $1.33M
95.007 RESEARCH AND DATA ANALYSIS $163,605
21.019 CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND $7,144