Finding Text
Finding 2025-002: Suspension and Debarment Requirements Program: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds ALN 21.027 Federal Agency: Department of the Treasury Pass-through Agencies: City of Pittsburgh and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development Condition: During 2025, the URA did not follow internal control procedures to ensure that all covered contracts and subawards were not conducted with entities that are suspended and debarred. During our testing of procurement transactions subject to suspension and debarment requirements, we noted that the entity did not retain documentation demonstrating that it had reviewed the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) exclusion records prior to entering into contractual agreements. Specifically, there was no evidence that a SAM.gov printout was reviewed or approved to verify that vendors were not suspended or debarred at the time of contract execution. While the entity stated that such reviews are conducted, the lack of documented verification prevents confirmation that appropriate controls were consistently applied. In conjunction with the audit, we reviewed the SAM Exclusions for all transactions in our sample and we noted that no transactions were with entities that were suspended or debarred. Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR Part 200.303, a non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over Federal awards that provide reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity manages the Federal award in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Cause: The URA did not follow internal control procedures to document the review of the SAM.gov exclusion list prior to contract execution. Effect: The lack of following internal control processes to review the verification of suspension and debarment prior to entering into contracts, agreements, and grants, could result in the URA entering into covered transactions with entities that are suspended and debarred which is not allowed under the requirements for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program. Questioned Costs: None Identification as a Repeat Finding: This is a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the URA consistently apply written procedures to verify, prior to executing any covered transaction expected to equal or exceed $25,000, that the prospective contractor is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded. The URA should document its verification by retaining a dated SAM.gov exclusion search printout (or equivalent screenshot), obtaining a certification from the contractor, or including an appropriate suspension and debarment clause in the agreement. Evidence of the review and approval should be retained in the procurement file to demonstrate compliance. Views of responsible officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with this finding; see separate Corrective Action Plan.