Finding 575289 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-08-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: CFSC failed to verify the suspension or debarment status of two subrecipients, risking compliance with federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding violates 2 CFR 200.403(a), which mandates verification of subrecipient eligibility before transactions.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen policies to ensure all subrecipient applicants are checked for suspension and debarment status during pre-award screening.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: United States Department of Commerce Federal Program Name: Office for Coastal Management Assistance Listing Number: 11.473 Federal Award Identification Year: 2020 Pass-Through Agency: National Fish and Wildlife Grant Agreement Award Period: 9/1/20-08/02/24 Compliance Requirement Affected: Subrecipient Suspension & Debarment Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance and Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Criteria: 2 CFR 200.403(a) - When a non-federal entity enters into a covered transaction with an entity at a lower tier, the non-federal entity must verify that the entity, as defined in 2 CFR section 180.995 and agency adopting regulations, is not suspended or debarred or otherwise excluded from participating in the transaction. Condition: For two subrecipient samples that were selected, verification of subrecipient's suspension or debarment status was not verified. Context: A nonstatistical sample of 2 of 4 subrecipients were selected for testing for the Office for Coastal Management program. Condition noted above was identified during our procedures over subrecipients. Effect: CFSC did not verify suspension or debarment status, which could result in naming a subrecipient as an award recipient, which is potentially suspended or debarred. Cause: CFSC did not consistently ensure that Suspension or Debarment status was verified before naming the subrecipients tested as award recipients. Repeat Finding: The finding is a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that CFSC strengthen its current policies and procedures to ensure that Suspension and Debarment Status is verified for each subrecipient applicant during its pre-award subrecipient screening process. Management’s Views: See separate corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Management agrees with the finding and is implementing the accompanying corrective action plan. Views of Responsible Officials: Jacy Hyde, Executive Director Joel Rusco, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Jessica Martinez, Deputy Director Contact Person: Joel Rusco, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Jessica Martinez, Deputy Director Corrective Action Plan: In response to the FY21 Corrective Action Plan, CFSC implemented a Subrecipient Monitoring Policy in June 2024 to ensure compliance with the Uniform Guidance for monitoring subrecipients of federal funding, including audit requirements and the verification of suspension and debarment status. To further strengthen compliance and ensure timely verification, CFSC will implement the following actions: 1. Mandatory Pre‐Award Verification Timing & Documentation: a. Suspension and debarment status must be verified on SAM.gov by the assigned Grant Specialist before the execution of any subaward agreements. b. The verification data and results will be documented by the assigned Grant Specialist and included in the Risk Assessment process prior to award issuance. c. Any subrecipients flagged as high risk due to past audit findings will undergo enhanced pre‐award due diligence before subaward execution to be carried out by the assigned Grant Specialist. 2. Grant Compliance Oversight & Approval: a. The Grants Manager (or designee) will review and approve all subrecipient compliance checks before final award execution. b. Any exceptions or delays in verification must be documented and approved by the CFAO & Deputy Director before proceeding. 3. Quarterly Compliance Audits: a. The Grants Manager (or designee) will conduct quarterly internal audits of subrecipient monitoring files to confirm that suspension & debarment verification was completed timely before subaward execution. b. The Grants Manager will be responsible for reporting any identified deficiencies to senior management and ensuring timely correction for policy reinforcement. Anticipated Completion Date: These corrective actions will be fully implemented by the end of FY25, with ongoing monitoring and enforcement thereafter.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Subrecipient Monitoring Material Weakness Period of Performance

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 575290 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 575291 2024-004
    Material Weakness
  • 575292 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1151731 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1151732 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1151733 2024-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1151734 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
11.473 Office for Coastal Management $1.31M
10.664 Cooperative Forestry Assistance $333,441
10.698 State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance $11,044
15.228 Blm Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Activities $1,746