Finding 555649 (2022-008)

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 2022 Award Period: Fiscal Year 2022 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement 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: 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. 2 CFR 180.300 states that an entity may determine suspension and debarment status by: (a) Checking SAM (System for Award Management) Exclusions; or (b) Collecting a certification from that person; or (c) Adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction with that person Condition The Town does not have policies and procedures in place to ensure that they do not contract with or make subawards to parties that are suspended or debarred. Questioned Costs None Context Although the Town does not have policies or procedures in place to ensure that they do not contract with or make subawards to parties that are suspended or debarred, we did not identify instances where Federal grant awards were paid to suspended or debarred vendors for 3 of 3 suspension and debarment transactions selected for testing. Cause Management was not aware of the requirements of 2 CFR section 180 within Uniform Guidance. Effect The Town is at risk for noncompliance with federal grants as it relates to suspension and debarment. Repeat Finding No Recommendation We recommend that the Town implement policies and procedures to ensure that potential vendors are not suspended or debarred prior to contracting with them ford goods or services. Views of Responsible Officials Management agrees with this finding.