Finding 537231 (2024-011)

Material Weakness
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-26
Audit: 348399
Organization: City of Lewistown (MT)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The city failed to follow federal procurement rules, specifically not verifying if contractors were suspended or debarred.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR 200.214 and 2 CFR §200.318-§200.327 regarding procurement standards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should create and implement procedures to ensure compliance with federal procurement regulations and verify contractor eligibility.

Finding Text

NONCOMPLIANCE WITH PROCUREMENT AND SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT REQUIREMENTS, CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS, ASSISTANCE LISTING No. 21.027, Direct Allocation, YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 Criteria: Per 2 CFR 200.214, non-Federal entities are subject to the non-procurement, debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180. The regulations in 2 CFR part 180 restrict 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 city did not comply with the procurement standards outlined in 2 CFR §200.318-§200.327, which require competitive procurement processes and verification that contractors are not suspended or debarred. Specifically, the city did not verify the eligibility of program recipients/participants/contractors through the System for Award Management (SAM) or equivalent documentation in order to verify that they were not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from participation in the program. Cause: The city does not have procurement policies and procedures in place that allow it to comply with procurement standards outlined in the Uniform Guidance. Effect: Non-compliance with program terms and conditions. Questioned Costs: None Recommendation: Management should develop procedures that will provide reasonable assurance that procurement of goods and services are made in compliance with applicable federal regulations and other procurement requirements specific to a federal award or subaward, and that no subaward, contract, or agreement for purchase of goods or services is made with any suspended or debarred party. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The government agrees with this finding and will adhere to the attached corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

NONCOMPLIANCE WITH PROCUREMENT AND SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT REQUIREMENTS, CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS, ASSISTANCE LISTING No. 21.027, Direct Allocation, YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 Name of contact person: City Manager Corrective Action: Employee training has been completed with all department heads to ensure future compliance with federal debarment requirements. We will do annual staff training on this and will work with our engineers to make sure they too are complying with the requirements. Proposed Completion Date: Ongoing

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1113673 2024-011
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $412,881
66.468 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund $100,000
16.607 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $849