Finding 517566 (2024-001)

Finding Number: 2024‐001 Repeat Finding: No Program Name/Assistance Listing Title: COVID‐19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Award Number: 404‐23, CT‐BH‐22‐208, 422939 Pass‐Through Agency: Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Pima County, City of Tucson Questioned Costs: N/A Type of Finding: Noncompliance, Significant Deficiency Compliance Requirement: Procurement, Suspension, and Debarment Criteria Non‐federal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR §200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR part 200. Additionally, non‐federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. 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, as defined in 2 CFR §180.995 and agency adopting regulations, is not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in the transaction. This verification may be accomplished by checking the System of Award Management (SAM) maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA), collecting a certification from the entity, or adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that entity (2 CFR §180.300). Condition Adequate internal controls over procurement procedures to ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance regulations and guidelines were not in place. Verification of suspension and debarment was not performed for one vendor with whom Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse (Emerge) spent at least $25,000 of federal grant monies. In addition, Emerge's procurement policy does not include the requirement for performing a suspension or debarment verification check on vendors procured with federal funds. Cause Emerge’s internal controls over procurement of goods and services were not adequate. Effect Emerge was not in compliance with the Uniform Guidance regulations and guidelines related to suspension and debarment. However, it was subsequently determined that the vendor utilized was not suspended or debarred. Context During our review of procurement, we noted that Emerge does not have a policy or procedure in place that requires a verification check of suspension and debarment for covered transactions. For one vendor with whom purchases exceeded $25,000, Emerge did not perform a verification check. Audit procedures determined the vendor was not suspended or debarred. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation Management should develop and implement policies and procedures over procurement to ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements under 2 CFR §180.300 and §200.318 through 326. Views of Responsible Officials See Corrective Action Plan.