INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTENon-Profit

Finding 2024-001: Lack of Reasonable Price Documentation for Micro-Purchases Other Matter – Noncompliance/Significant deficiency Identification of federal programs: 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas Criteria: According to 2 CFR § 200.320(a)(1)(ii), recipients of federal funds may use micro-purchase procedures without soliciting competitive quotations only if the price is considered reasonable and documentation is maintained to support this determination. Condition: During our review of micro-purchase transactions, we identified transactions that lacked contemporaneous documentation supporting a reasonable price determination. Cause: IRI’s management did not retain documentation in compliance with the above criteria. Effect or potential effect: The absence of timely documentation undermines the assurance that federal funds were used in accordance with procurement standards. Questioned costs: None Context: From the sample of 40 micro-purchase transactions, half lacked proper contemporaneous documentation supporting a reasonable price determination. We did note that proper approvals were sited for any vendor agreements, invoices, and journal entries as applicable noting due diligence was performed. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that IRI reinforce training on procurement documentation requirements, implement stronger internal controls to ensure compliance at the time of purchase, and conduct periodic reviews to verify adherence to policy. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.