Finding 1227760 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-08-25

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Cooperative lacks effective internal controls over procurement, failing to document essential components of the process.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 2 CFR 200.303(a) and 2 CFR 200.318 regarding procurement policies and documentation.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should enhance procedures to ensure compliance with procurement methods and maintain proper documentation.

Finding Text

Department of Treasury, State of Iowa Department of Management, Federal Financial Assistance Listing 21.029, 526659, 2025 COVID-19 Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance and Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. 2 CFR 200.318 maintains that recipients must have and use documented procurement policies and must conform to the procurement standards in sections 200.317 through 200.327. Condition: Testing of the federal program identified the following: --One instance where the Cooperative did complete price comparisons; however, the memo documenting the procurement did not reference the price comparison. The procurement file did not obtain all required components of the procurement process including rationale for selecting the vendor or the procurement method used. --One instance where the Cooperative did not follow the procurement process as detailed in the procurement policy and no documentation was retained to support the rationale for selection of vendor. Cause: The Cooperative followed parts of the procurement policy in place, however, not all components were documented and retained within the procurement file. Effect: Ineffective controls over this area of compliance could result in a reasonable possibility the Cooperative would be noncompliant with the compliance requirements outlined above. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context/Sampling: A nonstatistical sample of 3 out of 6 vendors were selected for testing. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: Yes, finding 2024-002 Recommendation: We recommend that management implement procedures and control processes related to the review of contracts to ensure the procurement methods are being followed and documentation is retained to support the method of procurement. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Agency Name: Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity: State of Iowa Department of Management Assistance Listing Number: #21.029 Program Name: Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund Finding Summary: Testing of the federal program identified the following: --One instance where the Cooperative did complete price comparisons; however, the memo documenting the procurement did not reference the price comparison. The procurement file did not obtain all required components of the procurement process including rationale for selecting the vendor or the procurement method used. --One instance where the Cooperative did not follow the procurement process as detailed in the procurement policy and no documentation was retained to support the rationale for selection of vendor. Corrective Action Plan: The Cooperative has taken steps to remedy the findings of the 2025 single audit: --Management reviewed procurement policies with department heads that are responsible for contractor and material procurement for grants. --Accounting staff will now review all grant expenditures at least monthly to catch new vendors in a more timely manner and assure that appropriate procurement policy has been adhered to prior to contractor starts work or material is used on projects. Responsible Individuals: Jeremy Richert, Chief Executive Officer and Kelly Gibbs, Chief Financial Officer Anticipated Completion Date: July 2026

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1227759 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1227761 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.029 CORONAVIRUS CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $1.47M
81.254 GRID INFRASTRUCTURE DEPLOYMENT AND RESILIENCE $827,452