Finding 512193 (2024-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-11-26
Audit: 329944
Organization: L'anse Area Schools (MI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School District failed to include Wage Rate Requirements in the construction contract for the Electronic Thermostat Controls Upgrade Project.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with federal Wage Rate Requirements, which mandate notification of prevailing wage rates and obtaining certified payrolls for contracts over $2,000.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Review all compliance requirements before using federal funds to ensure adherence to federal standards for future projects.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: Education Stabilization Fund Program Assistance Listings: 84.425U Pass-through Agency: Michigan Department of Education Grant Number(s): 213713 Project 2122 Criteria: Wage Rate Requirements states that for construction contracts in excess of $2,000 non-federal entities notify contractors and subcontractors about the Department of Labor prevailing wage rate requirements. Additionally, non-federal entities are required to obtain copies of certified payrolls for contractors and/or subcontractors. Cause: When the Electronic Thermostat Controls Upgrade Project were bid Wate Rate Requirements were discussed, however it was not included in writing in the bid or contract agreement. Effect: The School District is not in compliance with the Wage Rate Requirements. Perspective: Although the prevailing wage clause was not included in the construction contract, the contractors hired do pay at or above the required wage rates set by the Department of Labor. Recommendation: Prior to using federal dollars to fund any project, all the applicable compliance requirements should be reviewed to ensure the School District remains in compliance with federal standards related to the grant.

Corrective Action Plan

Wage rate requirements were discussed during the bidding process. However, the School District and engineers were not aware the specific language needed to be included in the bid and contract. The School District used a contractor that did pay at and above the required wage rates; however, certified payrolls were not required to be provided and the subcontractor agreement was not required to have prevailing wage language. The School District is aware of the written requirement for future projects.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1088635 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
66.045 Clean School Bus Program $790,000
84.041 Impact Aid $585,520
84.425 Covid-19 - Education Stabilization Fund $524,832
10.555 National School Lunch Program $178,162
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $148,416
10.665 Schools and Roads - Grants to States $85,553
84.060 Indian Education Grants to Local Educational Agencies $50,986
10.553 School Breakfast Program $43,806
84.358 Rural Education $32,122
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (formerly Improving Teacher Quality State Grants) $20,632
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $13,278
10.579 Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability $10,000
10.185 Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program $1,719