Finding 390659 (2023-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-31

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The contract for construction work lacked the required prevailing wage rate clause.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding violates 29 CFR 5.5, which mandates including wage rate provisions in contracts.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal controls to ensure compliance with wage rate requirements in future contracts.

Finding Text

2023-001 - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirements Federal Program Information: Department of Education: Passed through the State of Maine Department of Education: ALN - 84.425 - Education Stabilization Fund Criteria: The following CFR(s) apply to this finding: 29 CFR 5.5 Condition: During audit procedures, it was identified that the Unit did not include the prevailing wage rate clause in the contract provisions for the construction contract. Cause: The Unit does not have the necessary internal controls over compliance. Effect: The contract was not executed in compliance with the requirement above. Identification of Questioned Costs: None identified. Context: There was only one construction contract. It was determined that the contract did not include the prevailing wage rate clause. This is not a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: It is recommended that the Unit implements internal control processes and procedures to ensure that they are following the criteria above Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: Client agrees with finding, and the unabridged version of their response can be found in the Corrective Action Plan. Please see the Corrective Action Plan issued by the Regional School Unit 52.

Corrective Action Plan

CONTACT PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION: Gabrielle Krol, Business Manager CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN (concerning finding 2023-001: Special Tests and Provisions-Wage Rate Requirements) CORRECTIVE ACTION: Maine School Administrative District 52 has already begun implementing the corrective action plan for the finding related to the Education Stabilization Fund. Our FY 2022 Audit was not completed until April 2023, which was after this current finding had already taken place. During the FY 2022 Audit process, it was brought to our attention that MSAD 52 was in need of ensuring compliance with the prevailing wage requirements when Federal Funds were being used, also known as the Davis Bacon Act. When this was brought to our attention, we began providing all contractors who were bidding on work at the district with the current prevailing wage information for Androscoggin County. In addition, we had each contractor sign the certification that they would pay all employees working on any project at MSAD 52 the prevailing wage. In addition, we are now requiring all contractors provide certified timesheets prior to releasing payment for the work. ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATE: This has begun effective March 2024.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 390660 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 390661 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 390662 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 390663 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 967101 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 967102 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 967103 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 967104 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 967105 2023-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $500,872
10.555 National School Lunch Program $448,885
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $349,664
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $294,778
10.553 School Breakfast Program $189,208
16.710 Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants $67,045
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $45,924
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $44,394
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $33,528
84.358 Rural Education $27,421
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $9,943
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $5,710
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs $3,768
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $26