Finding 578873 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-11-27
Audit: 4175
Organization: Pope County (MN)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County failed to verify that vendors were not suspended or debarred before entering into two covered transactions over $25,000.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates federal regulations requiring checks against SAM.gov exclusions or other verification methods for compliance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure proper documentation is maintained to confirm vendor eligibility prior to any future covered transactions.

Finding Text

Suspension and Debarment Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Repeat Finding Since: N/A Type of Finding: Internal Control Over Compliance and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency and Other Matter Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Program: 21.027 COVID-19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Award Number and Year: SLFRP1447; 2021 Criteria: Federal requirements prohibit non-federal entities from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 180.300 describes a required verification process. Prior to entering into the transaction, one of the following must be performed: (1) checking SAM.gov exclusions, (2) collecting a certification, or (3) adding a clause or condition to the covered transaction. The suspension and debarment requirements apply to covered transaction amounts over $25,000. Condition: For two covered transactions tested, the verification for suspension or debarred vendors was not performed before entering into the covered transactions. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The County entered into a total of two covered transactions over the $25,000 threshold for this grant. Effect: The County is not in compliance with federal grant requirements. Cause: The County has procedures in place to perform verification and retain documentation, but not all procedures were followed. Recommendation: We recommend the County maintain documentation to demonstrate that vendors were not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from conducting business with the County; this documentation should be completed prior to entering into a covered transaction. View of Responsible Official: Concur.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 2431 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.43M
21.032 Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund $50,000
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $23,383
20.615 E-911 Grant Program $17,546
93.563 Child Support Enforcement $14,140
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $12,472
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $7,257
93.658 Foster Care_title IV-E $3,611
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $1,063
93.767 Children's Health Insurance Program $125
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_state Administered Programs $39