Government Contracting Tips

Our latest video and article provide essential tips and strategies for government contractors, both small and large, to ensure success throughout the government contracting process.

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Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Vlog

DoD Attempts to OPEN the Door to More Nontraditional Contractors

Here are the Details

DoD issued a DFARs Final Rule D2019-D029 – Services Provided by Nontraditional Defense Contractors, effective October 1, 2020, to implement several sections of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 that addresses treatment of commingled items purchased by contractors and services provided by nontraditional defense contractors as commercial items. This blog only addresses the DFARS change related to services provided by nontraditional defense contractors as commercial items.

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Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

DCMA to Take the Lead on Resolving TINA Audit Findings


Defense Pricing Memo – September 30, 2020

Acting Principal Director, Defense Pricing and Contracting, Mr. Kim Harrington issued a memo on September 30, 2020 to announce that the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) has a new Defective Pricing Pilot Team to provide support to Procuring Contracting Officers (PCOs) to resolve and disposition Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) compliance audits. DCAA’s new favorite audit it appears. Reading a little into the memo (ok – not too much reading as the memo uses the word – backlog) DCAA has apparently created a new backlog for DoD of what they affectionately call TiN audits. Not a real surprise as DCAA created a TiN team a few years back. DCAA historically had an extensive workload development process to audit all large fixed priced contracts and sample smaller ones that created more audits than resources could accommodate. As we have reported before, now that DCAA is looking for work, the rush appears to be on for DCAA auditors to get back into more defective pricing audits.

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Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Litigation Consulting Support, DCAA Audit Support, Defense Procurement & Acquisition Policy (DPAP)

HR Huddle - October 30, 2020

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Topics: Human Resources

2020 Halloween Costumes for Those in the “Public Eye”

As Halloween 2020 is upon us, it is time to report on some of the more popular costumes or ideas for costumes applicable to organizations and/or individuals who are in politics, sports, acting, the media (i.e. newscasters) and federal agencies. Although our prior years’ Halloween blogs have focused on a few government agencies, current events have caused us to focus our research (thus this blog) primarily on the wonderful and friendly world of politics and political elections in the United States.

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Topics: Redstone GCI

DPC Clarifies Allowability of Donated Leave Related to COVID


Let us Set the Stage

On June 11, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) put out a Notice (2020-46) that allowed employees to donate unused leave to charitable groups supporting the COVID-19 National Emergency. Under the leave-based donation program, employees can elect to forgo vacation, sick, or personal leave in exchange for cash payments that the employer makes to charitable organizations. The notice provides that employee’s donation of leave will not be taxable income to the employee, however the employer will still treat the cost of the leave granted to the employee as either ordinary and necessary business expense or a charitable contribution. This applies to donations made before the end of the 2020 calendar year.

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Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Human Resources, COVID-19

President Trump Signs Executive Order on Combatting Stereotyping and Scapegoating

This article is under review as a result of EO 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, signed by President Trump on January 21, 2025. As we await further information from OFCCP and the courts, please reference this article for current status and action items.

On September 22, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) seeking to end what is characterized in the Order as "training sessions based on race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating" in the federal workforce, the Uniformed Services, and among federal contractors. The EO provides that it will be the policy of the United States "not to promote race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating" in the federal workforce and the Uniformed Services, and not to let grant funds to be used for these purposes.

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Topics: Government Regulations, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

One More Purchasing System Item to Contend With – FAR 52.204-25

Where Did This Come From?

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2019, required the implementation of a new Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule barring federal contractors from using telecommunications products or services or video surveillance equipment from certain foreign companies – The People’s Republic of China. As a result, a new contract clause came into place – FAR 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment – effective August 13, 2020.

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Topics: DFARS Business Systems, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Basic Contract Administration & Subcontract Administration Terminology

A reminder of different contract vehicles and types and common terms in the business. A refresher for those in the industry or primer for those new to contracting.

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Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Vlog

Costpoint: Detours to the Road of Success in the Accounting Module

Learn how to avoid the seven most common pitfalls in the Accounting module on your path to Costpoint success. Timing of AP check reversals and posting costs in the wrong accounting period can have serious impacts on accuracy of reporting and productivity within your organization.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Deltek Costpoint