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2022 ? 003 ? Special Education Cluster ? Suspension and DebarmentFederal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program Title: Special Education Cluster (IDEA)Assistance Listing Number: 84.027/84.173Federal Award Identification Number and Year: FY 21 and FY 22Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of EducationPass-Through Entity Number: 19611-76-PN01Award Period: July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022Type of Finding:? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance.Criteria: ?2 CFR 200.303 states in part:"The non-Federal entity must:Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ."2 CFR 180.300 states:"When you enter into a covered transaction with another person at the next lower tier, you must verify that the person with whom you intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. You do this by: (a) Checking SAM Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person."Condition: During our testing, we noted Suspension and debarment checks were not performed on the contract sampled. Per the school?s procurement policy, it stated that a certification of suspension and debarment needed to be completed prior to entering into a contract for all contracts over the $25,000 threshold.Questioned costs: NoneContext: Using a statistically valid sample, 1 covered transaction was selected for testing. The Transaction selected did not have a suspension and debarment certification prior to entering in a contract with the vendor.Cause: Improper understanding and implementation of existing policies.Effect: Contracts could be entered into with suspended or debarred vendors leading to noncompliance.Repeat Finding: No.Recommendation: We recommend the South Montgomery Community School Corporation increased training for those individuals involved in procurement and contract approval to ensure suspension and debarment checks are performed prior to awarding contracts.View of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.