Finding 1217322 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-06-11
Audit: 403512
Organization: Town of Lynnfield (MA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Town failed to verify that vendors were not suspended or debarred before transactions, risking compliance with federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding relates to compliance with 2 CFR Part 200.214, which mandates verification of vendor eligibility for federal assistance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures to document vendor verification status prior to executing any transactions to ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number: Not available Pass-Through Agency: Massachusetts Department of Revenue Pass-Through Number(s): Unknown Award Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Compliance Requirement: Suspension and Debarment Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 2 Part 200.214 states that nonfederal entities are subject to the nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. Condition and Context: For each of the five (5) transactions tested, the Town did not have a documented verification that the vendor was not suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs: None. Cause: Procedures were not in place to document the verification that vendors were not suspended or debarred from participation in federal programs or activities. Effect: Lack of verification (or untimely verification) of vendors’ suspension or debarment status could cause federal grant funds to be expended to vendors that are excluded from participation in federal assistance programs or activities. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend procedures be implemented to ensure that the verification of vendors’ suspension and debarment status is documented prior to executing transactions. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

The Town of Lynnfield, Massachusetts respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended June 30, 2025. Audit period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 The finding from the schedule of findings and questioned costs is discussed below. The finding is numbered consistently with the number assigned in the schedule. FINDING—FEDERAL AWARD PROGRAMS AUDIT 2025-001 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) – 21.027 Recommendation: We recommend procedures be implemented to ensure that the verification of vendors’ suspension and debarment status is documented prior to executing transactions. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The Town has implemented procedures requiring documentation of vendor suspension and debarment verification prior to the execution of transactions involving federal funds. Staff responsible for procurement and accounts payable have been instructed to verify vendor eligibility through the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and retain documentation of the verification in the applicable procurement or payment file. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: David Castellarin Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2026

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $909,611
97.044 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT $261,785
20.219 RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM $200,000
97.083 STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) $137,404
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $122,338
93.276 DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT PROGRAM GRANTS $120,718
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $90,035
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $68,874
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $54,015
84.367 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION STATE GRANTS (FORMERLY IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY STATE GRANTS) $29,264
16.588 VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FORMULA GRANTS $26,219
93.103 FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH $23,371
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $19,883
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $18,606
84.424 STUDENT SUPPORT AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM $10,000
16.838 COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID, STIMULANT, AND SUBSTANCE USE PROGRAM $7,617
93.959 BLOCK GRANTS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE $4,121
97.042 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANTS $3,500