Finding Text
2024-002 – Indirect Costs Finding Type. Immaterial Noncompliance/Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance (Activities Allowed and Unallowed, and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles). Program. Research and Development Cluster; all Assistance Listing Numbers; all Award Numbers. Criteria. Per the Institute's negotiated indirect cost rate proposal, each indirect cost rate has an associated cost pool in which indirect cost rate percentages are established. Condition. During our testing of indirect cost rates we observed that overhead was included in the Institute's indirect cost rate reimbursement calculation for one out of the Institute's three indirect cost calculations (the general and administrative calculation). Cause. This condition appears to be an oversight in including a cost in the indirect cost pool base which was not approved in the approved provisional general and administrative indirect cost rate calculation. Effect. As a result of this condition, the Institute did not fully comply with the Uniform Guidance applicable to the above noted grants. Questioned Costs. Costs that were questioned were $239,370. Recommendation. We recommend that the Institute review its policies and procedures in regards to the review of the calculation of indirect costs reimbursement to ensure that it conforms with the approved indirect cost rate and all provisions of the indirect cost rate approved by the Institute's cognizant agency. View of Responsible Officials. Management agrees with the finding and has prepared a corrective action plan.