Redstone Government Consulting Blog (14)

The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) issued a memorandum to its leadership – and ultimately its auditors in the field – addressing a revision to its audit guidance related to the audit of contractor cost impact calculations for unilateral cost accounting practice changes (23-PAC-009(R) Revised Audit Guidance on the Cost Impact Calculation for a Unilateral Cost Accounting Practice Change – dated October 3, 2023). Well, it is about time.

As we approach the end of the year, it is time to shift our focus on closing the fiscal year and preparing the upcoming fiscal year. Closing the fiscal year in Deltek Costpoint involves a series of steps to ensure accurate reporting, compliance, and a smooth transition into the new fiscal period. In this blog, we'll provide a guide on the steps for closing the fiscal year in Deltek Costpoint, focusing on both the General Ledger and Project aspects.

Most contractors that have contracts/subcontracts subject to full CAS coverage will eventually want to make a change to a cost accounting practice because there is a “better” allocation method or a change is required to remain in compliance with CAS.

If this were only a simple question. The most straightforward answer is that it is a good idea for any company to have policies and procedures. If that company is going to do business with the US Government those policies and procedures are going to have to be expanded as each contract may present additional requirements. To help you understand the complex level of requirements we will address the major business systems and other key areas.

Since the Department of Justice (DOJ) started promoting its initiative on Cyber Security reporting there have been several settlements related to cyber security noncompliance, four of which involve defense contractors.

If chosen carefully and skillfully, a Human Resources Management (HRM) Technology Solution can significantly improve workplace productivity, enhance compliance, and encourage employee engagement. The various acronyms (i.e., HRM, HRIS, HCM) utilized to describe HR technology solutions often create confusion. Essentially, a robust Human Resource Management system, “HRM” as we will call it, brings together human resources (full life cycle of applicant tracking through onboarding-to-termination), timekeeping, workforce management, payroll, and data analytics all under one technology solution—a comprehensive, full-suite single solution.

Suppose your company is working on a grant or cooperative agreement or planning to submit a proposal in response to a funding opportunity announcement. In that case, the regulations that apply will be Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 2 Grants and Agreements. The problem is, when you receive a grant, generally, the award agreement says to comply with 2 CFR. There are no specific clauses or wording; basically, you are responsible for reading the entire regulation to see what applies to your award. 2 CFR includes inconsistent language and terms.

The FAR Council submitted a proposed rule amending FAR subparts, provisions, and clauses on October 3, 2023, to implement an Executive order on cyber threats, incident reporting, and information sharing for Federal contracts. This revision is being made to strengthen and standardize contractual requirements for cybersecurity across Federal agencies. The proposed rule also implements OMB Memorandum M-21-07 Completing the Transition to internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), dated November 19, 2020.

The FAR Council published an interim rule effective June 2, 2023, that bans TikTok on contractor and contractor employee electronic devices that are used in the performance of federal contracts.

Well – besides being the first thing your friendly DCAA auditor will ask you for, they should be something your employees use and rely on daily. The last thing you want is one of your employees telling an auditor they have never seen or read the company’s policies and procedures. The joy that will come across the auditor’s face will be truly shocking – and – the sadness that will come across your face when the Business System Deficiency Reports start to arrive, requiring endless responses and corrective action plans, will be just as shocking. This fairytale has no happy ending, at least not for you and your company – just a drain on your resources and more audit oversight.