Finding 968574 (2023-004)

2023-004: Reporting – Material Weakness Federal Programs Assistance Listing Number 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund Department of Education North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Special Test and Provisions 2 CFR Part 200.326 F84425U 2023 Grant Year Criteria For construction contracts and subcontracts greater than $2,000, the District should verify prevailing wage rate clauses were included in the contract or subcontract and for each week in which work was performed under the contract or subcontract the District should monitor certified payroll registers to ensure contractors and subcontractors were paying employees the prevailing wage rates. Condition The District did not provide wage rate clauses to contractors. In addition, the District did not obtain from contractors the certified payroll registers, nor did they perform testing to ensure contractors were paying the prevailing wage rates. Cause The District was unaware of the compliance requirements regarding the construction projects. Effect It is possible that improper wages were paid to contractor employees. Questioned Costs Undeterminable. Recommendation We recommend the District to review the wage rate compliance requirements as part of the special tests and provisions of this program in the compliance supplement and to create and implement a process of submitting prevailing wage rates to contractors as well as obtaining the certified payroll registers to determine if contractors are in compliance. Repeat Finding This is not a repeat finding. Views of Responsible Officials See corrective action plan.