What Government Contractors Can Expect in a Purchase Existence and Consumption Audit

In August of 2023, the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) changed what is used to refer to as Mandatory Annual Audit Requirements (MAARS) 13 audits to Real-Time Audits of Purchase Existence and Consumption. This change was to eliminate the mandatory part of the requirement and introduce greater flexibility based on the auditor’s risk assessment of the contractor.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Compliance Training, DCAA Audit Support, Human Resources

What Government Contractors Can Expect in a Real-Time Labor Audit

In August of 2023, the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) changed what it called Mandatory Annual Audit Requirements (MAARS) 6 audits to Real-Time Audits of Labor. This change was to eliminate the mandatory part of the requirement and introduce greater flexibility based on the auditor’s risk assessment of the contractor.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Compliance Training, DCAA Audit Support, Human Resources

Supply Chain Requirements on Covered Articles in Effect Now

The FAR Council issued an interim rule, effective December 4, 2023, which implements the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA). This included three new FAR clauses which prohibit the delivery or use of “covered articles” subject to a FASCSA order in the performance of a government contract.

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Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Manufacturing Operations Consulting

Common Mistakes in Termination Proposals for Government Contracts

The Government can terminate its contracts, in whole or in part, through special contract clauses referred to as “termination clauses.” Terminations can be frequent occurrences and can happen for numerous reasons, such as lack of funding, bid protests, changes in military strategy, technological advancement, federal operations, or national political agendas that change the government’s needs. FAR 49.201(a) [Termination of Contracts] states, “…A settlement should compensate the contractor fairly for the work done and the preparations made for the terminated portions of the contract, including a reasonable allowance for profit….” This compensation decision, unfortunately, is made through the government’s lens. A contractor must be focused on telling their story and providing proof through adequate documentation of claimed costs.

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Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Changing from QuickBooks to a Government Contract Accounting System

QuickBooks is considered a government-compliant accounting system and can definitely get the job done for a lot of small government contractors. However, there may come a time when you need to change your accounting system to something that is designed with government contractors in mind.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Small Business Compliance, Quickbooks

Revision to DCAA’s Mandatory Annual Audit Requirements (MAARs)

Mandatory Annual Audit Requirements (MAARs) 6 (labor) and 13 (material purchases) are two of DCAA’s mandatory annual audit requirements performed for incurred cost audits. These MAARs, established decades ago, have customarily been performed on a “real-time” basis within the year in which the costs were incurred. However, DCAA has recently revised their audit guidance in a Memorandum for Regional Directors (MRD) titled “Revised Procedures for Real-Time Audits of Labor and Purchase Existence and Consumption.”

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Small Business Compliance, Government Compliance Training, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations

Are You Filing 2023 1099s? You Will Need a Transmitter Control Code (TCC).

New Rule for Filing 1099s: The IRS rule TFA 23O1 reduces the electronic filing requirement from a threshold of 250 Information Returns down to 10.

Yes, you read that correctly. If you file more than 10 Information Returns after January 1, 2024, you are now required to submit those forms electronically. Employers must calculate the total number of Information Returns to determine if they meet the threshold, including 1099s, W-2s, 1098s, etc.

This means if you have a total of 4 Form 1098s and a total of 6 Form 1099-NEC, you must file electronically. All forms must be submitted to the appropriate party and through the IRS site utilizing IRIS or the “Information Returns Intake System” by the due date.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Government Regulations, Deltek Costpoint

2023 Year End Unanet Accounting Checklist for Government Contractors

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Below, we’ve created a compact list of action items for your Unanet accounting system at year end. Please don’t hesitate to call us to walk through this year end checklist with one of our consultants to help guide you.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, DCAA Audit Support, Unanet

Deltek Costpoint Indirect Rate True-Up Invoicing

In government contracting, Deltek Costpoint stands out as a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed to meet the specific needs of government contractors. One crucial aspect of financial management is the indirect rate true-up process, a fundamental component of invoicing within the Deltek Costpoint system. In this blog, we will explore the intricacies of Deltek Costpoint indirect rate true-up invoicing, shedding light on its significance, the process involved, and its impact on government contractors.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, DCAA Audit Support, Deltek Costpoint

The Incurred Cost Submission: Benefits of Outsourcing vs In-House Preparation

It’s that time of year to start thinking about the preparation of the incurred cost proposal if you are a Contractor with flexibly priced contracts. The incurred cost proposal is required for cost type, time, and material contracts subject to FAR 52.216-7, “Allowable Cost and Payment.” Cost type and time and material contracts have a cost-reimbursable element that needs to be trued up (i.e., final indirect rates), hence the reason for the incurred cost proposal. There are many subsections listed within the FAR clause 52.216-7(d), thus defining the required schedules for an adequate indirect cost rate proposal.  

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Topics: Incurred Cost Proposal Submission (ICP/ICE)