Finding 398370 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-05-23
Audit: 307041

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: JARC failed to obtain required suspension and debarment certifications for vendors before executing procurement contracts.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR section 180.995, which mandates verification that vendors are not suspended or debarred.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: JARC should implement checks using SAM.gov, collect certification forms, and update procurement policies to ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Federal Agencies: Department of Agriculture; Department of the Treasury Federal Program Names: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; COVID 19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Numbers: 10.561; 21.027 Federal Award Identification Numbers and Years: FCSBG06493: July 2022- June 2023, 21-002: October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2023, 40606-0101, 40606-0104: October - September 2022, October 2022 - September 2023. 4000-447522-6312-467205-603051: February 2022 June 2025, 21-417020: May 2022 - April 2024. Award Periods: FCSBG06493: July 2022- June 2023, 21-002: October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2023, 40606-0101, 40606-0104: October - September 2022, October 2022 - September 2023. 4000-447522-6312-467205-603051: February 2022 - June 2025, 21-417020: May 2022 - April 2024. Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: When JARC enters a covered transaction with an entity at a lower tier, JARC must verify that the non-Federal 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. Condition: In testing the suspension and debarment requirement, it was noted no certifications with vendors were obtained prior to executing the procurement contract. Questioned costs: None. JANE ADDAMS RESOURCE CORPORATION JANE ADDAMS RESOURCE CORPORATION – BALTIMORE, AND JANE ADDAMS RESOURCE CORPORATION – RHODE ISLAND SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (CONTINUED) YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 (12) Context: 10.561 - We noted four out of four procurement transactions tested, suspension and/or debarment certifications were not obtained prior to executing the transaction. 21.027 - We noted five out of six procurement transactions tested, suspension and/or debarment certifications were not obtained prior to executing the transaction. Cause: No documentation was provided to support the verification to ensure the vendors are not debarred or suspended. Effect: By not obtaining proper suspension and debarment certifications, JARC runs the risk of securing a contract with a vendor who is suspended or debarred. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend JARC verify all procurement contracts are with vendors who are not suspended or debarred. This verification may be accomplished by: 1. Checking the System for Award Management (SAM) Exclusions 2. Collecting a certification form, or 3. Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that entity Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: JARC will continue to use SAM.gov to ensure all current and previous vendors that fall within the procurement threshold per the JARC procurement policy, have not been suspended or debarred. Printouts from the SAM.gov website for each vendor will be saved on a designated JARC drive as documented proof. Additional, updates to the current procurement policy will be updated to reflect any recommended changes made by the auditors.

Corrective Action Plan

Department of Agriculture and Department of the Treasury Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended June 30, 2023. Audit period: 7/1/2022-6/30/2023 The findings from the schedule of findings and questioned costs are discussed below. The findings are numbered consistently with the numbers assigned in the schedule. FINDINGS—FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT There were no financial statement findings in the audit year. FINDINGS—FEDERAL AWARD PROGRAMS AUDITS Department of Agriculture and Department of the Treasury 2023-001 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Assistance Listing No. 10.561 COVID 19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds – Assistance Listing No. 21.027 Recommendation: We recommend JARC verify all procurement contracts are with vendors who are not suspended or debarred. This verification may be accomplished by: 1. Checking the System for Award Management (SAM) Exclusions 2. Collecting a certification form, or 3. Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that entity Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: JARC will continue to use SAM.gov to ensure all current and previous vendors that fall within the procurement threshold per the JARC procurement policy, have not been suspended or debarred. Printouts from the SAM.gov website for each vendor will be saved on a designated JARC drive as documented proof. Additional, updates to the current procurement policy will be updated to reflect any recommended changes made by the auditors. JANE ADDAMS RESOURCE CORPORATION CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 Name of the contact person responsible for corrective action: Gwendolyn Love Thomas, Director of Finance Planned completion date for corrective action plan: September 30, 2024 If the Department of Agriculture or Department of the Treasury has questions regarding this plan, please call Gwendolyn Love Thomas, Director of Finance, at 773-751-7130.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 398371 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 398372 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 398373 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 398374 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 974812 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 974813 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 974814 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 974815 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 974816 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
17.258 Wia Adult Program $391,299
17.278 Wia Dislocated Worker Formula Grants $320,057
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $111,844
17.270 Reintegration of Ex-Offenders $101,044
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $80,333
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $63,714
11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance $38,082
17.280 Workforce Investment Act (wia) Dislocated Worker National Reserve Demonstration Grants $9,503