Finding 1218370 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-06-24
Audit: 404662
Auditor: WARREN AVERETT

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority lacks formal, written procurement policies for federal award transactions, violating 2 CFR § 200.318(a).
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with procurement standards increases the risk of improper procurement activities under federal guidelines.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Management should create and implement documented procurement procedures that align with 2 CFR Sections 200.317 to 200.327.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001 – Procurement, Non-compliance (Significant Deficiency) Federal programs: Covid-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: 2 CFR § 200.318(a) requires that the recipient or subrecipient must maintain and use documented procurement procedures for procurement transactions under federal awards. These procedures must be consistent with applicable laws and the procurement standards in Sections 200.317 through 200.327. Condition: During our testing of procurement transactions, we noted that the Authority does not have formal, written procurement policies and procedures governing the acquisition of goods and services with federal award funds. Context: Procurement, Suspension and Debarment was identified as a direct and material compliance requirement for the major program. As such, the Uniform Guidance requires the auditee to both design and implement internal controls over compliance, including formal, documented procurement policies. Cause: Management has not developed or implemented formal written policies to address procurement requirements under the Uniform Guidance. Effect: The absence of documented procedures increases the risk that procurement activities are not conducted in accordance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Questioned Costs: None Repeat finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that management develop and implement formal, written procurement policies and procedures that comply with 2 CFR Sections 200.317 through 200.327, which address procurement methods, competition requirements, and documentation standards, and are consistently applied to all procurement transactions under federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and the auditors’ recommendation. See Corrective Action Plan at the end of the report.

Corrective Action Plan

The East Alabama Health Care Authority (the Authority) recognizes the importance of being sufficiently knowledgeable on federal grant requirements. Management acknowledges that while the Authority did complete procurement procedures in compliance with the grant requirements that it did not establish formal written policies and procedures addressing procurement methods, competition requirements, and documentations standards to be consistently applied to all procurement transactions under federal awards. To ensure compliance with federal grant awards moving forward, the Authority will document policies regarding unmet requirements described above. Management will ensure that procedures to meet these policies are implemented and that evidence of this implementation is recorded. Contact Person & Proposed Completion Date Contact person responsible for corrective action: Dennis Thrasher VP - Controller (334) 528-2104 Proposed date of completion: 9/30/2026

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $4.13M
93.917 HIV CARE FORMULA GRANTS $698,774
93.940 HIV PREVENTION AND SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES-HEALTH DEPARTMENT BASED $72,745
14.241 HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS $63,465
93.918 GRANTS TO PROVIDE OUTPATIENT EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO HIV DISEASE $25,767
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $18,310
93.242 MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH GRANTS $9,960