Finding 499257 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-28
Audit: 322061
Organization: Civic Arts (TX)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Civic Arts lacks a process to check if vendors are suspended or debarred before engaging in transactions over $25,000.
  • Impacted Requirements: This oversight violates the Uniform Guidance, which mandates verification of vendor eligibility for federal funding.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish a routine procedure to verify vendors against the System for Award Management (SAM) and document the checks performed.

Finding Text

Suspension and Debarment Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Criteria – The Uniform Guidance requires that when a non-federal entity enters into a covered transaction with an entity at a lower tier, the non-federal entity must verify that the entity is not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in the transaction (§200.214). Generally, a covered transaction is a transaction expected to equal or exceed $25,000 and be funded with federal funds. Condition – Civic Arts does not have a procedure designed to identify vendors that are suspended or debarred. Cause – Civic Arts was not aware of the requirement to verify vendors are not suspended or debarred. Effect – A vendor who is suspended or debarred could be paid with federal funds inappropriately. Recommendations – Civic Arts should implement a process to compare all vendors meeting the covered transaction threshold to the System for Award Management (SAM) on a regular basis and when a new vendor is entered into the accounting system. This procedure should be documented when it is performed.

Corrective Action Plan

Management concurs with the recommendation as proposed and has implement a process to document comparison of all vendors meeting the covered transaction threshold to the System for Award Management (SAM) on a regular basis and when a new vendor is entered into the accounting system. This has been implemented effective immediately.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 499255 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 499256 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1075697 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 1075698 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1075699 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
45.024 Promotion of the Arts Grants to Organizations and Individuals $1.46M