Finding 503176 (2023-004)

2023-004: U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil and Water Conservation Assistance Listing #10.902 Subrecipient Monitoring Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Non-Compliance Grant Award Number: NR230436XXXXC017 Criteria: The OMB Compliance Supplement (2 CFR 200.331) requires that pass-through entities (PTE) disbursing federal funds to subrecipients have a formalized policy for identifying the subrecipient meets the applicable requirements, for evaluating risk, for monitoring subrecipient activity, and for ensuring accountability of For-Profit Subrecipients, if applicable. As part of the risk assessment, entities must ensure subrecipients are not suspended or debarred. During monitoring activities, the PTE is required to obtain the subrecipients’ audit reports so that any findings can be evaluated by the PTE’s management. Condition: Several required elements per 2 CFR 200.331 being absent from the subrecipient agreements, including: - Subrecipients’ unique entity identifier - Federal award date of award to Wallowa Resources by the USDA - ALN number and dollar amount made available by the USDA Wallowa Resources was unable to provide support that subrecipients were assessed for suspension and debarment during the risk assessment. Cause: Wallowa Resources did not have a formalized policy for subrecipient monitoring which resulted in several required elements per 2 CFR 200.331 being absent from the subrecipient agreements, lack of retention for work performed during the risk assessment and monitoring activities. Effect: Certain compliance elements related to subrecipient monitoring not met as a result of ineffective controls. Questioned Costs: None Context/Sampling: There were four subrecipients within the scope of this audit, of which 75% were tested and the above-noted items were consistent. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend Wallowa Resources implement a formal subrecipient monitoring policy using the guidance of 2 CFR 200.332. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.