Finding 1217538 (2025-002)

Procurement, Suspension, and Debarment and Written Policies Required by the Uniform Grant Guidance Finding Type. Immaterial Noncompliance/Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance (Procurement, Suspension, and Debarment). Program. COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds; U.S. Department of Treasury; ALN 21.027; Passed through the City of Toledo, Ohio; Award Number 2021-16100-5WAYMANPALNEI. Criteria. Recipients of federal awards are required to ensure that federal procurement standards are followed for any purchases over the federal micropurchase threshold. 2 CFR 200.320 requires that these purchases must adhere to one of the allowable procurement methods (sealed bids, competitive proposals, noncompetitive procurement) and maintain documentation of this procurement decision. In addition, the Uniform Guidance requires a non-federal entity that has expended federal awards for a grant awarded on or after December 26, 2014 to have written policies pertaining to Procurement (including bidding and a conflict of interest policy) (§200.318). Condition. For one of the two vendors tested, the YMCA was unable to provide documentation to support that competitive bidding was performed in accordance with the YMCA's policies and procedures. Although the YMCA has processes in place to cover these areas, we noted during review of procurement policies, that management has two procurement policies, one for general competitive bids and one for federal funds. We noted that while the federal funds procurements thresholds are in line to what is required by 2 CFR 200.318, the policy was not being followed consistently. Cause. The YMCA does not have the proper internal controls in place to ensure that the appropriate procedures are being followed for procurement in accordance with the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. This condition appears to be the result of a time lag in identifying the requirement and developing a plan for consistency in its procurement policy. Effect. As a result of this condition, one vendor was paid with federal funding for which appropriate procurement records were not maintained in accordance with federal procurement standards. The YMCA did not fully comply with the Uniform Guidance applicable to the above noted grant. Questioned Costs. $129,673. Questioned costs represent the total known expenditures incurred under the contract for which the exception was identified. Recommendation. We recommend that the YMCA review its written policies and procedures over federal awards with employees responsible for grant compliance to ensure that they are being followed consistently. View of Responsible Officials. Management agrees with this finding and has prepared a Corrective Action Plan.