Finding 8801 (2021-010)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2021
Accepted
2024-01-17

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization is not following its own procurement policies, leading to inadequate documentation for federal award compliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR Section 200.303(a) and 2 CFR Section 200.320, risking potential fund returns and future funding issues.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen documentation practices for procurement to align with federal guidelines and ensure proper oversight.

Finding Text

Federal Program Information: Funding Agency: U.S Department of Health and Human Services FALN: 93.926 Federal Award Identification Number: 5 H49MC00119‐21‐00 / 6 H49MC00119‐20‐01 Pass Through Entity: State of Georgia Department of Human Services Award Year: 2020‐2024 Criteria: Under 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that the entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award. Additionally, under 2 CFR Section 200.320, the Organization must have and use documented procurement procedures for acquisition of property and services under a federal award or a sub‐award. Condition: The Organization does have approved policies and procedures over procurement that meet the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. However the Organization is not following its prescribed policies and procedures. The Organization lacked supporting documentation verifying procurement policies and procedures were followed. Due to lack of supporting documentation, procurement could not be verified. Of the sixty (60) transactions examined, fourteen (14) lacked supporting documentation for review of procurement. Effect: Not following procurement policies and procedures may result in funds to be returned back to grantor and/or impact future funding. Cause: Supporting procurement documentation for acquisition of property and services were not properly maintained in part due to several changes in personnel within the accounting area and overall limited number of personnel for certain functions and lack of board oversight. Questioned Costs: Known questioned costs of $2,066 and likely questioned costs of $11,507 for Healthy Start. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization strengthen its policies and procedures to ensure procurement is adequately documented for that goods and services purchased in accordance with Uniform Guidance and other federal guidelines.

Corrective Action Plan

We concur with this finding and have implemented measures to mitigate the repetition or additional occurrences. In 2020, we implemented an electronic system to more efficiently collect and store expenditures and supporting documentation, eliminating a paper filing system. We updated our fiscal policies and procedures in 2022 to include procurement and implemented a procedure for ensuring compliance with obtaining required bids, etc. Responsible person(s): Jemea Dorsey, CEO and Jeanetta Johnson, Fiscal Manager Anticipated Completion Date: FY 2022

Categories

Questioned Costs Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 8798 2021-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 8799 2021-008
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 8800 2021-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 8802 2021-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 8803 2021-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 8804 2021-008
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 8805 2021-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 8806 2021-010
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 8807 2021-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 585240 2021-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 585241 2021-008
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 585242 2021-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 585243 2021-010
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 585244 2021-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 585245 2021-007
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 585246 2021-008
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 585247 2021-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 585248 2021-010
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 585249 2021-011
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.926 Healthy Start Initiative $983,498
93.110 Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs $143,358
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $51,105
93.310 Trans-Nih Research Support $32,475
93.185 Immunization Research, Demonstration, Public Information and Education_training and Clinical Skills Improvement Projects $22,767
93.426 Improving the Health of Americans Through Prevention and Management of Diabetes and Heart Disease and Stroke $22,350
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $3,658