The new internal auditors recently completed their first phase of process
audits.  A deficiency they picked up in our procurement area relates to
federal certs.  Essentially, they've stated that each vendor, such as
Staples, VWR, Fisher Scientific, etc. should have signed debarrment and
suspension certs per purchase order.  That seems kinda wacky to us.  We do
however, have a set of terms and conditions that are attached to each
purchase order, stating that by accepting the purchase order they are also
accepting the stated t&c, which includes various federal terms, including
debarment and suspension.  If we had to we could also try to obtain a signed
certification from vendors on an annual basis.

How do you handle this at your institution and have you ever run into this
with your auditors?
TIA,

Maryellen O'Brien
Assistant Director
Grant and Contract Administration
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Rutgers University
Cook College
88 Lipman Drive, Room 125
New Brunswick, NJ  08901

Ph:   732-932-1000, Ext. 567
Fax:  732-932-8135
Email:  xxxxxx@orsp.rutgers.edu
Web:    http://orsp.rutgers.edu

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