Finding 49591 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-02-26
Audit: 42385
Organization: Taos Health Systems, Inc. (NM)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization is not following federal procurement rules, specifically 2 CFR Part 200, leading to noncompliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Lack of a compliant procurement policy and failure to verify vendor eligibility regarding suspension and debarment.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update the procurement policy, retain documentation for procurement methods, and establish a clear process for suspension and debarment checks.

Finding Text

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 and suspension and debarment. The Organization should have internal controls designed to ensure compliance with these provisions. Condition: We noted the Organization is not in compliance with requirements related to Procurement, Suspension and Debarment. Questioned costs: Unknown. Context: During our testing, we noted the following exceptions: ? The Organization?s procurement policy did not meet the requirements defined by 2 CFR 200. ? The Organization did not retain support to document the procurement methods followed (I.e., sole source, small purchases, sealed bids, proposals, etc.). ? For 7 out of 7 covered transactions, it was noted the Organization did not verify that the vendors were not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in the transaction. Cause: The Organization lacks a uniform Procurement, Suspension & Debarment policy that is in compliance with the Federal regulations and/or the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effect: The auditor noted instances of noncompliance. Noncompliance results in possible federal funds provided to ineligible subrecipients and/or vendors. Repeat Finding: Yes ? 2021-002. Recommendation: ? We recommend the Organization review and update its procurement policy to ensure the policy meets the 2 CFR Part 200 Procurement requirements. ? We recommend the Organization retain all documentation and support to show that the procurement policy was followed. ? We recommend the Organization review, update, and implement the current Suspension and Debarment Process as there is no currently defined process to complete the Suspension and Debarment checks prior to entering into a covered transaction. Views of responsible officials: The Organization was unaware of the need to have its policy include thresholds for purchases using federal funds. We will work with the responsible parties to develop a purchasing policy that meets the federal purchasing requirements. The Organization will adopt a procurement policy in fiscal year 2023. Also, vendors have been reviewed for suspension and debarment and a vendor log with the information was completed in fiscal year 2023.

Corrective Action Plan

Rural Health Care Services Outreach, Rural health Network Development and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement ? AL No. 93.912 Recommendation: Our auditors had the following recommendation related to procurement: ? They recommended the Organization review and update its procurement policy to ensure the policy meets the 2 CFR Part 200 Procurement requirements. ? They recommended the Organization retain all documentation and support to show that the procurement policy was followed. ? They recommended the Organization review, update and implement the current Suspension and Debarment Process as there is no currently defined process to complete the Suspension and Debarment checks prior to entering into a covered transaction. Rural Health Care Services Outreach, Rural health Network Development and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement ? AL No. 93.912 (Continued) Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Management?s response: The Organization was unaware of the need to have its policy include thresholds for purchases using federal funds. We will work with the responsible parties to develop a purchasing policy that meets the federal purchasing requirements. The Organization will adopt a procurement policy in fiscal year 2023. Also, vendors have been reviewed for suspension and debarment and a vendor log with the information was completed in fiscal year 2023. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Connie Prewitt, Interim CFO Planned completion date for corrective action plan: Will implement in fiscal year 2023.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 49590 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 49592 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 49593 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 49594 2022-005
    Material Weakness
  • 626032 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 626033 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 626034 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 626035 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 626036 2022-005
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.498 Covid-19: Provider Relief Fund - Phase 1 $5.55M
93.912 Rural Health Care Services Outreach, Rural Health Network Development and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement $762,292
93.461 Covid-19: Hrsa Covid-19 Claims Reimbursement for the Uninsured Program and for the Covid-19 Coverage Assistance Funds $239,661
93.110 Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs $202,375
95.001 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program $152,915
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $76,615
93.276 Drug-Free Communities Support Program Grants $6,989
93.799 Cara Act - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 $6,680