Finding 572986 (2024-002)

Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Award requires compliance with the provisions of suspension, and debarment. The Town of Branford, Connecticut (the Town) should have internal controls designed to ensure compliance with those provisions. Condition: During our testing, we noted the Town did not have adequate internal controls designed to ensure vendors were not suspended or debarred. Questioned costs: None Context: During our testing, it was noted that the Town does not have a policy for verification that an entity with which the Town plans to enter into a covered transaction is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded. Cause: The Town was unaware the contractors were not being reviewed to ensure they were not suspended or debarred, until March 2024. Effect: The auditor noted no instances of noncompliance with the provisions of suspension, and debarment; however, the lack of internal controls over these compliance requirements provides an opportunity for noncompliance. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat of finding 2023-002 from the prior year. Recommendation: We recommend the Town design controls to ensure an adequate review process is in place to review potential contractors to determine they are not suspended or debarred. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding