Oregon's Management of State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative Grants Awarded During Fiscal Years 2013 through 2015

Williams, Adley & Company–DC, LLP completed an audit of Oregon’s management of State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) grants awarded during fiscal years 2013 through 2015. Williams Adley concluded that Oregon’s State Administrative Agency generally complied with applicable Federal laws and regulations. Although Williams Adley did not identify any duplicate benefits received by the state, it did identify instances in which the state did not fully comply with the FEMA FYs 2013–2015 Notice of Funding Opportunity guidance. Specifically, the state did not pass through 80 percent of funds, obligate grants within 45 days, properly charge indirect costs to SHSP grants, sufficiently monitor its subrecipients, and properly monitor equipment purchased. These issues occurred because the State Administrative Agency did not obtain written consent when withholding more than 20 percent of funds, coordinate with subrecipients after award receipt, have approved indirect cost rate agreements, adhere to its subrecipient monitoring procedures, have a tracking system, or provide guidance to subrecipients. As a result, Williams Adley could not fully assess whether the State Administrative Agency enhanced its ability to prepare for and respond to disasters and acts of terrorism. FEMA concurred with all 10 of our recommendations to strengthen program management, performance, and oversight.