Dear Program Operator, 

On December 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published Policy Memo CACFP 03-2022: Updates to the Federal Micropurchase Threshold in Title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 200.320(a)(1).  This policy memo is located at: Updates to the Federal Micro-Purchase Threshold in 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1) | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov), which supersedes the previous publication, USDA Policy Memo 03-2021, that was issued on November 17, 2021.
 

This policy memo notified the Child Nutrition Program operators of the changes made by the Office of Management and Budget to the informal procurement method, and the recent guidance included updated clarification to provide additional flexibilities.
 

Per Title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), Section 200.320(a)(1)(iv), which is located at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d#p-200.320(a)(1)(iv), program operators may now self-certify for a micropurchase threshold, up to $50,000, on an annual basis.
 

If agencies choose to exercise the option to increase their micropurchase threshold, the agency must maintain proper documentation to support: 1) their justification for the increased micropurchase threshold, 2) a clear indication of the threshold, up to $50,000, and 3) supporting documentation of the criteria the agency met to qualify for this self-certification.
 

In order for agencies to proceed with the process for self-certification, agencies must meet the following criteria: 1) qualify as a low-risk auditee, 2) certify that the agency has an internal audit (also referred to as an institutional risk assessment) to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks, or 3) complete the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Brighton Training Course on Internal Controls.
 

Per Title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), Section 200.334, all agencies are required to maintain appropriate documentation to provide to the overseeing state agency or auditors upon request.
 

The self-certification form (form ID: CPU 21 – Micropurchase Self-Certification) is now available in the Download Forms section in the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS).

Contact Information  

If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact the Community Procurement Unit by email at ProcurementCACFP@dss.ca.gov.  
 

Thank you. 
 

Family Engagement and Empowerment Division  

California Department of Social Services