Finding 1240427 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-10-14

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization's procurement policies are incomplete and do not comply with federal standards outlined in 2 CFR sections 200.318-200.326.
  • Impacted Requirements: Failure to follow federal procurement guidelines may lead to noncompliance, risking future funding and potential repayment of $98,500 in questioned costs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update procurement policies to include all federal requirements and ensure adherence to proper processes for future agreements.

Finding Text

2024-003 – Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Finding Type: Material Noncompliance; Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Program: Rural Health Outreach and Rural Network Development Program (AL# 93.912); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Direct award; all grant numbers. Criteria: Non-federal entities 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 Organization's procurement policies were not complete and the Organization did not follow the federal procurement standards which provides specific guidance including process and documentation requirements necessary to be in compliance as required by the 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. Cause: The Organization’s procurement policies do not include the federal procurement requirements noted at 2 CFR section 200.318 through 200.326. Additionally, the Organization did not maintain the required procurement documentation, provide for full and open competition, or provide support for limitation of such competition. Effect: Future procurement arrangements may not meet the federal guidelines necessary for projects funded by federal sources. The Organization may have to pay back funds received for a project where federal funds were used for the procurement of products or services, but the required federal process was not met. Questioned Costs: $98,500. Recommendation: The Organization should update their procurement policy to include all requirements as noted in 2 CFR sections 200.318-200.326 and ensure that all future agreements follow the required processes. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. On June 2, 2025, the Board approved revised Policy F2.01 v.01, Procurement for Products or Services. Effective September 1, 2026, management adopted Procedure SOP F2.01 v.01, Procurement Under Federal Awards, which supplements Policy F2.01 and incorporates the procurement standards at 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327 and the suspension and debarment requirements at 2 CFR Part 180. See the Corrective Action Plan. Repeat Finding - 2023-001

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective action taken On June 2, 2025, the Board approved revised Policy F2.01 v.01, Procurement for Product or Services, which requires competitive proposals for contracted services, documented selection criteria, and retention of bid responses and award decisions. Effective September 1, 2026, C-WHO adopted Procedure SOP F2.01 v.01, Procurement Under Federal Awards, approved by the Chief Executive Officer and the Director of Finance. The procedure supplements Policy F2.01 v.01 and applies to any purchase charged in whole or in part to a federal award. SOP F2.01 v.01: • incorporates 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327 and Appendix II to Part 200, as adopted by HHS at 2 CFR Part 300; • sets procurement methods by the current federal thresholds (micro-purchase, small purchase with at least three written quotes, and sealed bids or publicized proposals above the simplified acquisition threshold); • limits noncompetitive procurement to the circumstances in 2 CFR 200.320(c), documented on a Sole Source Justification form approved before commitment; • requires SAM.gov exclusion verification before any covered transaction of $25,000 or more (2 CFR Part 180), and an LEIE check for health care service providers; • establishes written conflict-of-interest standards, including disclosure, recusal, and disinterested Board approval for related-party procurements; • requires cost or price analysis above the simplified acquisition threshold and documented price reasonableness for all federally funded purchases; • requires a Federal Procurement Checklist, completed by a preparer and signed by a separate reviewer, before a contract is signed, a purchase order is issued, or federal funds are charged; and • credits discounts and rebates on federally funded purchases to the award under 2 CFR 200.406.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1240425 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1240426 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1240428 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1240429 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1240430 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.912 RURAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES OUTREACH, RURAL HEALTH NETWORK DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT $570,881
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $526,052
93.211 RURAL TELEMEDICINE GRANTS $312,606