Finding Text
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CLEAN SCHOOL BUS REBATE PROGRAM - AL NUMBER 66.U01 AUDIT
PERIOD - YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
2024-001. Eligibility
Criteria or specific requirement: The 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate Program provides the following requirements for the replacement of eligible school buses. The old school buses to be replaced must be a vehicle model year 2010 or older diesel-powered school bus that will be scrapped if selected for replacement; have a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 lbs or more; be operational at the time of application submission; and have provided bus service to a public school district for at least 3 days/week on average during the 2021/2022 school year.
Condition: The District replaced three school buses funded by the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate Program (Program). One of the old school buses did not appear to meet all of the eligibility requirements for replacement. Specifically, documentation could not be provided to support that the replaced school bus was operational at the time of the grant application submission or provided bus service to the school district for at least three days/week on average during the 2021/2022 school year, as required by the Program.
Cause: Lack of management oversight and understanding of program requirements.
Effect or potential effect: One clean school bus replaced an old bus that did not appear to meet the eligibility requirements for replacement.
Questioned costs: The amount of questioned costs was $375,000.
Context: Three school buses were replaced totaling $1,035,000.
Identification as a repeat finding: No
Recommendation: The District should contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for guidance regarding this matter and implement controls related to grant requirements.
Views of responsible officials: The District has contacted the EPA regarding buses replaced and the new buses purchased in the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebate. As of this date (February 25, 2025), we are still waiting on their instructions for our next actions. The District uploaded all required documentation to the EPA portal in the close out process.