Internal Control Review of Student Conservation Association, Inc.

We performed an inspection of the National Park Service’s (NPS) management of a cooperative agreement and three associated task agreements it entered into with the Student Conservation Association, Inc. (SCA). The purpose of the agreements was to help with the cleanup of damage from Hurricane Sandy at park units in New York and New Jersey. 

 

We found several issues with NPS’ management of the agreements, including unclear award classification, inadequate competition for projects, inadequate communication between the NPS Grants Office and staff at the parks, incomplete grant files, missing risk assessments, missing or inadequate reports on SCA’s performance, and noncompliance with Federal requirements for posting financial data. 

 

Our inspection offers six recommendations to help NPS better manage its agreements.