Finding 606929 (2022-003)

Material Weakness
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-08-27
Audit: 24394
Organization: Wisner Pilger Public Schools (NE)
Auditor: Mdt LLC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District failed to obtain necessary documentation for compliance with federal grant requirements related to the HVAC project.
  • Impacted Requirements: Lack of adherence to procurement policies and failure to engage an architectural firm for federal compliance, including Davis-Bacon wage requirements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures for monitoring compliance and hire an architectural firm for future projects, ensuring contracts clearly outline responsibilities for federal requirements.

Finding Text

Criteria Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining internal controls, including monitoring to ensure compliance with the federal expenditure requirements. Condition Upon our arrival for the audit, the District had not obtained all of the documentation to ensure compliance with the federal grant. The school had purchased a new HVAC and within the approved application stated: ?Our school will follow our board policy for procurement which includes working with an architectural firm to design the projects and secure engineering approval. The architectural firm will also work with the school district to create bid documents that adhere to all federal requirements and ensure notification of Davis-Bacon.? In response to the Prevailing Wage Compliance section of the grant the district also stated the following: ?The district will work with an architectural firm to provide the proper notification to bidders regarding all Federal requirements, including Davis-Bacon. However, the District, and specifically, Superintendent Chad Boyer will be responsible for implementation and management of requirements. This communication will happen at weekly meetings to include the contractor and any sub-contractors.? When we asked for the supporting documentation it was noted the District did not hire an architectural firm to assist with the federal award compliance requirements. The District also could not locate a contract with the vendor that installed HVAC. Upon our asking for documentation of ensuring compliance with the Davis Bacon requirements, the District did not have any documentation they could provide. Cause The District did not obtain proper documentation to ensure compliance with the federal award requirements. Potential Effect The potential exists that the federal compliance requirements were not followed. Recommendation We recommend that the District implement procedures to ensure that all award requirements are followed and monitored. Also, the District should hire an architectural firm to assist with federal award compliance when using federal funding for construction projects. When the District hires a contractor for a construction project there should be a contract signed to state the responsibilities of both the contractor and the District to ensure all the federal award requirements are met.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 30486 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 30487 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 606928 2022-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $374,552
10.553 School Breakfast Program $81,487
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $53,038
84.358 Rural Education $38,182
10.555 National School Lunch Program $21,469
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $18,958
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $13,456
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $6,360
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $1,529