Finding Text
Criteria
Non-federal entities other than states, including those operating federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. A non-federal entity must:
1. Meet the general procurement standards in 2 CFR section 200.318, which include oversight of contractors’ performance, maintaining written standards of conduct for employees involved in contracting, awarding contracts only to responsible contractors, and maintaining records to document history of procurements.
2. Conduct all procurement transactions in a manner providing full and open competition, in accordance with 2 CFR section 200.319.
3. Use the micro-purchase and small purchase methods only for procurements that meet the applicable criteria under 2 CFR sections 200.320(a) (1) and (2).
4. For acquisitions exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, the non-federal entity must use one of the following procurement methods: the sealed bid method if the acquisition meets the criteria in 2 CFR section 200.320(b); the competitive proposals method under the conditions specified in 2 CFR section 200.320((b) (2); or the noncompetitive proposals method (i.e., solicit a proposal from only one source) but only when one or more of four circumstances are met, in accordance with 2 CFR section 200.320(c)).
5. Perform a cost or price analysis in connection with every procurement action in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, including contract modifications (2 CFR section 200.323(a)). The cost plus a percentage of cost and percentage of construction cost methods of contracting must not be used (2 CFR section 200.323(b)).
6. Ensure that every purchase order or other contract includes applicable provisions required by 2 CFR section 200.326. These provisions are described in Appendix II to 2 CFR Part 200, “Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards.”
The requirements that apply to procurement under grants and cooperative agreements are contained in 2 CFR sections 200.317 through 200.326, program legislation, federal awarding agency regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award.
Criteria (continued)
Non-federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred. “Covered transactions” include contracts for goods and services awarded under a non-procurement transaction (e.g., grant or cooperative agreement) that are expected to equal or exceed $25,000 or meet certain other criteria as specified in 2 CFR section 180.220. All non-procurement transactions entered into by a pass-through entity (i.e., subawards to subrecipients), irrespective of award amount, are considered covered transactions, unless they are exempt as provided in 2 CFR section 180.215.
The requirements for nonprocurement suspension and debarment are contained in OMB guidance in 2 CFR Part 180, which implements Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, “Debarment and Suspension;” federal awarding agency regulations in Title 2 of the CFR adopting/implementing the OMB guidance in 2 CFR Part 180; program legislation; and the terms and conditions of the award.
Condition
The Organization was unable to support adherence to procurement policies for several active contracts under the federal program for fiscal year ending August 31, 2022. Specifically, the Organization failed to maintain documentation history of procurement for four out of the twenty-six active contracts tested that were either paid in full or in part by the Unaccompanied Alien Children Program. All of these contracts were procured at least three years previous. For three of the four contracts the winning proposal and proper approval for the contact was maintained, but no other procurement documentation. For the other contract no procurement history maintained. There were no errors found in any of the contract samples that were procured under the Organization’s current procurement policies.
Cause
The Organization is aware they are operating under contracts that were procured in previous years that may not have all the records maintained. Reprocuring all of these contracts at once would potentially cause disruptions in operations due to the products/services related those vendors playing an important role in the Organization’s day-to-day operations. As such, the Organization still has several active contracts procured under the old policies that they are working on reprocuring as these contracts’ renewal dates arise, if not earlier.
Effect or Potential Effect
The Organization could potentially be under contract with vendors that are not the best value, not adequately qualified, potentially suspended or debarred, or otherwise not suitable for contract under federal procurement guidelines.
No questioned costs were identified as all services/goods under these contracts were deemed to be allowable under the program, and no exceptions noted for allowable costs/activities for samples that included payment to these vendors.
Recommendation
The Organization should review all its “legacy” contracts that were procured under the previous procurement policies to determine if there is proper documentation maintained for compliance with applicable procurement guidelines. This includes systematically re-procuring any current contracts not in compliance as soon as feasible.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions
See corrective action plan.