Finding 485486 (2023-005)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-08-30
Audit: 318245
Organization: Town of Natick, Massachusetts (MA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Town lacks documentation to verify that vendors are not suspended or debarred, leading to a significant deficiency in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, specifically regarding procurement and suspension/debarment standards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement controls to maintain proper documentation and ensure compliance with suspension and debarment requirements.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Unknown Award Period: March 3, 2021 – December 31, 2026 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Award requires compliance with the provisions of procurement, suspension, and debarment. The Town should have internal controls designed to ensure compliance with those provisions. 2 CFR section 200.214 requires compliance with suspension and debarment standards. Condition: No supporting documentation was maintained to support the vendor was not suspended or debarred. We confirmed that the vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned costs: None. Context: 2 of the 2 vendors tested. Cause: Procedures are not in place to maintain documentation verifying vendors are not suspended or debarred. Effect: Potential noncompliance with federal procurement, suspension, and debarment compliance requirements. Recommendation: We recommend the Town implement control to ensure adherence to the suspension and debarment requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

US Department of Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds Assistance Listing No. 21.027 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Recommendation: We recommend the Town implement control to ensure adherence to the suspension and debarment requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: A debarment policy in conformance with 2 CFR Part 200.24 has been instituted. Appropriate management personnel will review procurement procedures to ensure that all expenditures of federal funds is in compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Award. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: John Townsend Deputy Town Administrator and Director of Finance Planned completion date for corrective action plan: October 1, 2024

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 485485 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1061927 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1061928 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $3.28M
10.553 School Breakfast Program $1.83M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $730,313
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $262,696
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $239,356
93.069 Public Health Emergency Preparedness $144,815
10.555 National School Lunch Program $106,563
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $78,567
16.922 Equitable Sharing Program $44,191
16.000 Dea Overtime Grant $37,646
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $22,952
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $19,519
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $4,822
93.103 Food and Drug Administration_research $1,942
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $1,624
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $894
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $634
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $-1,542