Finding 12358 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-30
Audit: 16740
Organization: Brooklyn Law School (NY)
Auditor: Rsm US LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Law School failed to provide adequate documentation for sole source awards due to a lack of an adopted procurement policy until June 15, 2022.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-federal entities must follow procurement standards outlined in 2 CFR sections 200.318-326, which include proper documentation for sole source awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Law School should ensure all sole source awards are well-documented and comply with federal procurement standards moving forward.

Finding Text

Section III. Findings and Questioned Costs for Federal Awards 2022-002 Procurement United States Department of Education? ALN 84.425F Education Stabilization Fund - Institutional Portion Criteria: Non-federal entities other than states must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. Condition: The Law School could not provide sufficient documented rationales for sole source awards for 2 out of 2 vendors selected for testing. Cause: A Procurement Policy incorporating federal procurement standards identified in 2 CRF Part 200 was not adopted by the Law School until June 15, 2022. As such, the Law School did not have adequate policy during fiscal 2022. Effect: Sole source awards were not properly documented. Questioned Costs: None Context: This is a repeat audit finding from the prior year audit and was reported as finding 2021-002. Recommendation: The Law School should ensure that they have sufficient documentation to support rationale for sole source awards and are in compliance with the federal procurement standards. View of Responsible Officials: The Law School agrees with the finding and have adopted an appropriate procurement policy as of June 15, 2022. Awards, including sole source awards will be adequately documented.

Corrective Action Plan

2022-002 Procurement United States Department of Education? ALN 84.425F Education Stabilization Fund - Institutional Portion Criteria: Non-federal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. Condition: The Law School could not provide sufficient documented rationales for sole source awards for 2 out of 2 vendors selected for testing. Cause: A Procurement Policy incorporating federal procurement standards identified in 2 CRF Part 200 was not adopted by the Law School until June 15, 2022. As such, the Law School did not have adequate policy during fiscal 2022. Effect: Sole source awards were not properly documented. Questioned Costs: None Context: See condition above. Recommendation: The Law School should ensure that they have sufficient documentation to support rationale for sole source awards and are in compliance with the federal procurement standards. Corrective Action: Effective June 15, 2022, the procurement policy will be adhered to and purchases will be adequately documented. Responsible Persons: Stephanie Vullo, Chief Compliance Officer, 718-780-0605, stephanie.vullo@brooklaw.edu; Herberth Melendez, Associate General Counsel, 718-780-7952, herberth.melendez@brooklaw.edu

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 588800 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $34.17M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $425,833
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $8,233