Finding 509797 (2022-005)

Material Weakness
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2024-11-22
Audit: 329558
Organization: Dorchester County, Maryland (MD)
Auditor: Uhy LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County failed to document vendor suspension and debarment status, risking federal funds being awarded to ineligible parties.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 2 CFR section 200.303(a) on internal controls and 2 CFR 200.213 regarding suspension and debarment.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The County should review and update its policies to ensure compliance with suspension and debarment checks for all federally funded procurements over $25,000.

Finding Text

Criteria: Internal Control: Per 2 CFR section 200.303(a), a non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework,” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Compliance: Per 2 CFR 200.213 Suspension and Debarment restricts awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities. Condition: the County did not maintain documentation of a vendor’s suspension and debarment status. Cause: the County’s Procurement office was unaware of the suspension and debarment verification requirement for all federally funded procurements and subawards $25,000 or more. Questioned Costs: None Effect: Federal funds may be paid to parties that are ineligible to participate in a federal program. Recommendation: We recommend the County evaluate its policies procedures to ensure that suspension and debarment requirements are being met prior to entering into transactions with vendors. Identification of Repeat Finding: This is a first year finding. Views of Responsible Officials: management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

The County will implement a new policy to verify vendors are not suspended or debarred.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 509798 2022-006
    Material Weakness
  • 509799 2022-007
    Material Weakness
  • 509800 2022-008
    Material Weakness
  • 1086239 2022-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1086240 2022-006
    Material Weakness
  • 1086241 2022-007
    Material Weakness
  • 1086242 2022-008
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $1.83M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.00M
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $68,049
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $58,824
11.419 Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards $55,000
16.034 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program $35,330
97.043 State Fire Training Systems Grants $32,498
20.509 Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program $21,333
11.429 Marine Sanctuary Program $13,288
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $7,634