Finding 386541 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-27

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District failed to ensure that contractors paid laborers the required prevailing wage rates for federally funded construction projects.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with federal regulations regarding wage rates for contracts over $2,000, as outlined by the Department of Labor.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The District should review federal wage requirements, create clear policies, and implement procedures to ensure compliance moving forward.

Finding Text

Findings and Questioned Costs Related to Federal Awards Finding Number: 2023‐001 Repeat Finding: No Program Name/Assistance Listing Title: Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Number: 84.425U Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award Numbers: S425U210038 Pass‐Through Agency: Arizona Department of Education Questioned Costs: Unknown Type of Finding: Noncompliance, Significant Deficiency Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions Criteria All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors to work on construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds must be paid wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL) (40 USC 3141‐3144, 3146, and 3147). Condition It could not be determined whether laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors to work on construction contracts in excess of $2,000 financed by federal assistance funds were paid equal to or in excess of the prevailing wage rate for the locality. Cause The District was not aware of the required processes and documentation to retain to comply with prevailing wage rates. Effect The District did not comply with the special tests and provisions requirements of the grant. Context The District did not notify two contractors and subcontractors of the requirements to comply with the wage rate requirements and did not obtain copies of certified payrolls for construction projects funded with grant monies. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation The District should review Federal requirements over prevailing wage rates, develop policies and procedures, and ensure those developed policies and procedures are implemented. Views of Responsible Officials See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Findings and Questioned Costs Related to Federal Awards Finding Number: 2023‐001 Program Name/Assistance Listing Title: Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.425U Contact Person: Aracely Soto, Director of Finance Anticipated Completion Date: July 1, 2024 Planned Corrective Action: All bids that include laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors to work on construction contracts must include language requiring prevailing wage rates, and the vendor must agree to provide copies of certified payrolls for all funded construction projects upon request. The District is not planning to use the Education Stabilization Fund for any future construction.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 962983 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $2.03M
10.553 School Breakfast Program $846,866
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $563,806
32.009 Covid-19 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $340,029
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $167,025
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants $150,892
84.287 Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers $135,417
84.027 Covid-19 Special Education_grants to States $107,988
21.019 Covid-19 Coronavirus Relief Fund $101,222
10.582 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program $98,687
10.555 National School Lunch Program $46,411
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $31,438
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $19,092
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund $16,283
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $12,776
84.173 Covid-19 Special Education_preschool Grants $7,375