find loop---looking for a number. works fine with letters

OK. While running the following code:
Foundcell is "nothing".
"a" = exactly what I am looking for in column r:t.
Which leads me to believe that the error in finding the number is related to the range object of "foundcell"

Dim lastrow As Long
Dim gg As Range, b As Range, foundcell As Range
Dim ws1 As Worksheet, ws2 As Worksheet
Dim FirstAddr As String
Set ws1 = ThisWorkbook.ActiveSheet
Set gg = ws1.Range("ab2997")
ws1.Unprotect "master32"
Application.ScreenUpdating = False

If gg = "IACOMP1" Then
    Set ws2 = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("IA Company")
    ws2.Visible = True
    Set b = ws2.Range("R2:T65000")
    
    Dim abc As Double
    Dim a As Range
    Set a = ws1.Range("r2998")

    lCount = 0
    Set foundcell = b.Find(what:=a, LOOKAT:=xlWhole, LookIn:=xlValues, SearchDirection:=xlNext)
    If Not foundcell Is Nothing Then
        FirstAddr = foundcell.Address
        lCount = 1
    End If
    Do Until foundcell Is Nothing
        MsgBox lCount
        'FoundCell.EntireRow.Copy
        'ws1.Range("a3000:a3029").SpecialCells(xlCellTypeBlanks).Cells(1).PasteSpecial
        Set foundcell = b.FindNext(after:=foundcell)
        If foundcell.Address = FirstAddr Then
            Exit Do
        End If
        lCount = lCount + 1
    Loop
    MsgBox lCount
    GoTo 100