Finding 485629 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-03
Audit: 318408
Organization: City of Huntington Park (CA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City lacks a current official written policy for procurement and contracts that meets Federal standards, leading to potential compliance risks.
  • Impacted Requirements: The absence of updated policies violates OMB 2 CFR Part 200 and affects the Conflict of Interest Code, risking Federal fund reimbursement.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure the new procurement policy is implemented and train staff on compliance with updated guidelines by the planned date of December 5, 2023.

Finding Text

Federal Program Title: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Catalog Number: 21.027 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Category of Finding: Procurement and Suspension and Debarment Criteria: Pursuant to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix XI, Compliance Supplement May 2023, sections 3.2-I-1 through 3.2-I-3: procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR part 200. A non-Federal entity must: 1. Meet the general procurement standards in 2 CFR section 200.318, which include oversight of in contracting, awarding contracts only to responsible contractors, and maintaining records to Cost-Reimbursement Contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation subcontracts, non-Federal entities receiving cost-reimbursement contracts under the FAR must comply with the clauses at 48 CFR section 52.244-2 (consent to subcontract), 52.244-5 (competition), 52.203-13 (code of business ethics), 52.203-16 (conflicts of interest), and 52.215.12 (cost or pricing data); and the terms and conditions of the contract. The FAR defines furnish the supplies or services (including construction) and the buyer to pay for them, entered into by a subcontractor to furnish supplies or services for performance of a prime contract or a subcontract. It includes, but is not limited to, purchase orders, and changes and modifications to purchase orders. Condition: The City does not have a current official written policy for procurement and contracts conforming to applicable Federal statutes and the updated procurement requirements per 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). The City's Conflict of Interest Code does not include the required language per the Uniform Guidance. Cause: Lack of formal policies and procedures over current required procurement standards and lack of internal controls and adequate staff training on effective requirements set forth by the Uniform Guidance over procurement. Effect or Potential Effect: Failure to document and retain evidence that procurement procedures were followed could result in the need to reimburse Federal funds. Questioned Cost: None Context: The City does not have an effective purchasing manual for city-wide use. The City-provided policy and procedure document establishing purchasing guidelines is for Finance Department use. We noted that this document was last updated on September 7, 2004 and does not contain the language required by the Uniform Guidance. We reviewed the City's current Conflict of Interest Code and purchasing policy and procedure document and noted no provisions containing the required language per the Uniform Guidance. Statistical Sampling Validity: Non-statistical sampling was performed in relation to this finding. Repeat of a Prior-Year Finding: Yes, 2019-014, 2021-006, and 2022-004 Recommendation: We recommend the City establish an official written policy for procurement and contracting and Conflict of Interest Code that are in line with the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. The policy should contain components for compliance with and references to Federal requirements, such as language establishing contract files that document significant procurement history; methods of procurement authorized including selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis of contract price; verification that procurements provide full and open competition when required; requirements for cost or price analysis, including for contract modifications; obtaining and reacting to suspension and debarment. The City should strengthen its procurement internal controls based on this official written policy. Management Response and Corrective Action Plan City's Response: Policy and Procedures manual was updated and approved by City Council on December 5, 2023 to include 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) requirements. Corrective Action Plan: Update policies and procedures manual. Planned Implementation Date: December 5, 2023 Responsible Person: Director of Finance

Corrective Action Plan

Update policies and procedures manual.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 485628 2023-002
    - Repeat
  • 485630 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 485631 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 485632 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 485633 2023-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1062070 2023-002
    - Repeat
  • 1062071 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1062072 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1062073 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1062074 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1062075 2023-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $7.48M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $6.64M
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $144,347
16.034 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program $96,079
16.922 Equitable Sharing Program $65,151
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $25,820
16.607 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $3,993