Finding 48427 (2022-005)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-01-16
Audit: 41405
Organization: City of North Las Vegas (NV)
Auditor: Crowe LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to follow procurement rules under Uniform Guidance, specifically not obtaining required quotes for a financial system upgrade project.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR 200.320 and City procurement policies, which mandates appropriate procurement methods based on project costs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should implement strong internal controls to ensure compliance with procurement requirements before engaging vendors for grant-funded projects.

Finding Text

Criteria or Specific Requirement: Grant recipients must comply with Uniform Guidance for procurement, specifically with 2 CFR sections 200.318 thru 200.327 including ensuring the procurement method used for the contracts are appropriate based on the dollar amount and conditions specified in 2 DFR section 200.320. Condition: The City did not comply with 2 CFR 200.320 or with City procurement policies. The City did not obtain quotes for a project for upgrades to the financial system for the purpose of grants accounting and management. Cause: The City began the system upgrade project in a prior year using 21.019 CARES CRF funding. Under that grant program, procurement standards were not applicable under Uniform Guidance. Those funds were set to expire December 2021. Therefore, management concluded that since those expenditures were also allowable under 21.027, they would complete the project using funds from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recover Funds grant (Assistance Listing (AL)21.027). However, under the AL 21.027 grant, the City is required to follow the Uniform Guidance for procurement of contracts. Effect: The City is out of compliance with procurement requirements. Questioned Costs: None. Context: A small purchase could have been applied as the total amount spent under the contract was more than the micro-purchase amount but less than the simplified acquisition threshold. Under small purchase procedures price or rate quotes must be obtained. Identification of a repeat finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that management establish and maintain effective internal control ensuring an understanding of compliance requirements prior to entering into contracts with vendors with intention of using of grant monies. Management Response: See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

The management team agrees with the auditor?s recommendation and has already implemented controls to address the stated concerns. Due to the public health emergency related to COVID-19, management elected to use the exception under 2 CFR 200.320(c)(3) due to the public exigency or emergency. However, management understands that the related compliance requirements have since been updated and we have adopted procedures to review any updates to compliance requirements prior to executing contracts with federal awards. Additionally, the Grants division has attended multiple trainings since the occurrence pertaining to SLFRF compliance requirements. The Grants Director also subscribes to several listserv notices to keep current on any changes in guidance. The Grants Director is responsible for the corrective action as it relates to this finding.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 48426 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 48428 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 48429 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 48430 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 624868 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 624869 2022-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 624870 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 624871 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 624872 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $7.45M
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $3.42M
66.468 Capitalization Grants for Drinking Water State Revolving Funds $1.53M
97.083 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (safer) $1.44M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.19M
16.034 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program $533,258
97.067 Homeland Security Grant Program $326,267
16.710 Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants $183,779
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $162,327
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $155,836
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $155,583
16.922 Equitable Sharing Program $111,798
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $97,145
15.235 Southern Nevada Public Land Management $85,747
16.588 Violence Against Women Formula Grants $49,727
11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance $44,550
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $41,526
16.609 Project Safe Neighborhoods $39,461
93.738 Pphf: Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Program Financed Solely by Public Prevention and Health Funds $37,834
20.616 National Priority Safety Programs $37,176
16.543 Missing Children's Assistance $31,993
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $29,098
16.593 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners $24,970
66.458 Capitalization Grants for Clean Water State Revolving Funds $16,651
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $9,507
16.833 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative $6,528
14.256 Neighborhood Stabilization Program $5,104
45.310 Grants to States $5,000
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $3,971
45.164 Promotion of the Humanities_public Programs $3,508
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $74