Finding 47389 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-01-05

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: BrightRidge failed to properly monitor subrecipient matching requirements for federal funds, leading to a significant deficiency.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Uniform Guidance regarding the timing and submission of matching funds was not met, resulting in approximately $54,000 in questioned costs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: BrightRidge should enhance monitoring practices for subrecipients, ensuring timely compliance with matching requirements in future funding cycles.

Finding Text

2022-001 Significant Deficiency: Subrecipient Monitoring of Matching Requirements (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants, ALN #10.854) Criteria: In accordance with Uniform Guidance, a recipient of federal funds must monitor the subrecipients? contract terms, including matching requirements. Condition and Cause: During the audit, it was noted that BrightRidge did not adequately monitor the subrecipient matching requirement according to the contract terms for its major program. This issue was caused by an lack of understanding regarding the required timing for the subrecipient?s matching of federal funds. Effect: Since BrightRidge did not have the understanding of the timing for the subrecipient?s match, no matching funds had been submitted during the fiscal year when substantial funds were released to the subrecipient. However, when brought to BrightRidge?s attention during the audit subsequent to fiscal year end, BrightRidge and the subrecipient determined that certain subrecipient expenditures qualified as matching funds during the fiscal year, leaving a remaining delayed required matching funding of approximately $54,000. Questioned Costs: As of June 30, 2022, approximately $54,000 should have been held by BrightRidge until matched by the subrecipient. Recommendation: BrightRidge should continue to monitor subrecipients, including the timing of the subrecipients? matching requirements. Management?s Response: After discussion of this matter with our auditors, BrightRidge understands that the timing of payments made to the ultimate recipient must not exceed 80% of the actual expenses. BrightRidge will continue to monitor the final payments to the ultimate recipient and will adhere to payout requirements on any future USDA Rural Development Loans.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan: The USDA Rural Economic Development Loan (REDL) is an 80%/20% loan, where the ultimate recipient is responsible for 20% of the cost of each dollar spent up to the maximum loan amount. For this finding, the ultimate recipient was approved for a $1,000,000 loan that requires $1,250,000 to be spent to receive the full loan of $1,000,000. BrightRidge, the intermediary, paid out 100% of the first $866,307 of receipts provided by the ultimate loan recipient instead of 80% which would have been $693,045.60. In doing so, BrightRidge intended to pay a lessor percentage on the remaining receipts provided by the ultimate recipient to ensure an 80%/20% sharing was complied with on the total loan amount of $1,000,000. The loan is secured by an irrevocable standby letter of credit provided by the ultimate recipient. BrightRidge was made aware by our independent auditors that regardless of the intent, payments of any monies should be supported by the 80%/20% split based on receipts from the ultimate recipient. BrightRidge agrees and understands that payments to the recipient must not exceed 80% of the receipts from approved expenditures on any future USDA REDL loan. At June 30, 2022, the loan is not fully paid out due to delays in the delivery of cutting machinery that will account for most of the final payment. The remaining $133,693 of USDA funds will be paid out to the ultimate recipient when receipts of $383,693 are provided by the ultimate recipient. BrightRidge will continue to monitor the final payments to the ultimate recipient and will adhere to payout requirements on any future USDA Rural Development Loans. BrightRidge has had four USDA REDL loans in the history of the organization making these an infrequent occurrence. As of June 30, 2022, BrightRidge has no other pending USDA REDL loan applicants.

Categories

Questioned Costs Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 623831 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.854 Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants $935,788