Finding 605525 (2022-004)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-09-05
Audit: 29138
Organization: City of Torrington, Connecticut (CT)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City lacks a compliant procurement policy as required by federal standards, specifically 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326.
  • Impacted Requirements: Failure to verify that entities involved in transactions are not debarred or suspended could lead to non-compliance with federal procurement standards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Finalize and implement the updated procurement policy to ensure compliance with federal guidelines and prevent future issues.

Finding Text

Finding No. 2022-004 Procurement Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Program Name: COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act Local Fiscal Recovery Federal Award Identification Number: SLFRP0128 Grant Year: 2021 Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Pass-Through Agency: State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Pass-Through Number(s): 12060-OPM20600-29669 Award Period: June 7, 2021, through December 31, 2026 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: The City must comply with procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326 within Uniform Guidance including the verification that an entity with which the City plans to enter into a covered transaction is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded. Condition: The Cities procurement standards do not include the essential elements as outlined in 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. Policies regarding verification of compliance with suspension and debarment requirements were not found. Questioned Costs: None Context: Although the City did not have a policy in place in conformity with the federal Uniform Guidance criteria the population of expenditures requiring testing were immaterial or otherwise excluded from testing requirements. Effect: With the absence of a compliant policy, the City could process transactions that do not follow federal Uniform Guidance procurement standards. Cause: The City was in the process of updating their policy to be in line with the Uniform Guidance procurement standards, but was unable to finalize the policy prior to incurring allowable costs. Recommendation: We recommend the City comply with procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326 within Uniform Guidance including the verification that an entity with which the City plans to enter into a covered transaction is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the auditors? recommendations

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 29082 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 29083 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 605524 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $714,019
10.553 School Breakfast Program $600,211
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $399,462
10.555 National School Lunch Program $246,542
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $226,875
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $218,397
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $188,232
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $104,434
93.053 Nutrition Services Incentive Program $92,913
10.560 State Administrative Expenses for Child Nutrition $72,390
20.513 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities $67,028
93.044 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part B_grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers $57,882
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $54,083
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $50,000
20.607 Alcohol Open Container Requirements $47,117
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $38,700
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $34,800
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $25,530
93.788 Opioid Str $17,688
20.616 National Priority Safety Programs $16,230
93.045 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part C_nutrition Services $12,153
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $9,237
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $6,850
10.649 Pandemic Ebt Administrative Costs $3,684
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $2,341