Finding 585849 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-01-22
Audit: 12904
Organization: Town of Darien, Connecticut (CT)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Town of Darien lacks adequate internal controls to verify that vendors are not suspended or debarred.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 is necessary for procurement processes under the COVID-19 America Rescue Plan Act.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a review process to ensure all potential contractors are checked against suspension and debarment lists.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Name: COVID-19 America Rescue Plan Act Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: N/A Pass-Through Agency: State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Pass-Through Number(s): 12060-OPM20600-29669 Award Period: March 3, 2021, through December 31, 2026 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 procurement, suspension, and debarment. The Town of Darien, 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. 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: No. 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.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 9407 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.02M
97.039 Hazard Mitigation Grant $501,825
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $124,500
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $50,315
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $27,499
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $22,715
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $15,000
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $12,965
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $10,894
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $10,000
90.401 Help America Vote Act Requirements Payments $9,082
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $8,885
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $8,710
14.269 Hurricane Sandy Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Grants (cdbg-Dr) $10