Finding Text
Finding 2023-002: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment
Identification of federal program:
Program Titles: Agriculture Research Basic and Applied Research & Community Economic Adjustment Assistance for Compatible Use and Joint Land Use Studies
Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.001 & 12.610
Award Identification: CA 59-8082-0-001 & W9124J2120002
Federal Agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service & U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
Criteria or Specific Requirement: Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. “Covered transactions” include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215. When a non-federal entity enters into a covered transaction with an entity at a lower tier, the non-federal entity must verify that the entity, as defined in 2 CFR section 180.995 and agency adopting regulations, is not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in the transaction. This verification may be accomplished by (1) checking the System for Award Management (SAM) Exclusions maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA) and available at SAM.gov, (2) collecting a certification from the entity, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that entity (2 CFR section 180.300).
Condition: While the Fund adopted an updated procurement policy during 2023, testing of the Fund’s controls on compliance over procurement and suspension and debarment identified transactions under the old policy. The Fund did not have a procurement policy in place for the full year that is in compliance with prescribed standards in the Uniform Guidance; therefore, prior to the adoption of the updated procurement policy, suspension and debarment verifications were not performed prior to entering a covered transaction.
Cause: While the Fund adopted an updated procurement policy, including policies over suspension and debarment that fully conforms to Uniform Guidance, the policy was adopted during 2023.
Effect: The Fund was not in compliance with the procurement policy requirements of Uniform Guidance, specifically around suspension and debarment for the entirety of 2023.
Questioned Costs: None
Context: The Fund adopted an updated procurement policy in 2023, which fully complies with Uniform Guidance requirements addressed in Chapter 2 Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. As the policy was not in place for the full year, we are unable to adequately test compliance prior to the adoption of the new policy.
Repeat finding: Yes, Finding 2022-002 Recommendation: We acknowledge the Fund adopted and documented procurement procedures, which conform to the procurement standards identified in 2 CFR section §§ 200.317 through 200.327, and also addressed suspension and debarment during 2023. We recommend management continue training to ensure all applicable personnel are familiar with the revised policy.
Views of responsible individuals: Management concurs with and will implement the recommendation. See corrective action plan.