Redstone Government Consulting Blog | Compliant Accounting Infrastructure

Government contracting moves fast and brings with it a dense web of compliance requirements. For small to mid-sized contractors, staying compliant with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) standards, and other regulations, while also focusing on growth, can feel like solving a puzzle with missing and shifting pieces. Each contract award introduces new requirements for cost tracking, timekeeping, reporting, and audit readiness, often with little room for error. What’s more, evolving guidance, shifting contract types, and limited internal resources can make it difficult to build a financial infrastructure that both supports operations and withstands government oversight. Without the right support, compliance gaps can go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Small Business Compliance, DCAA Audit Support, Quickbooks

I find that depending on whether your job is on the Finance & Accounting (F&A) side or the Materials & Manufacturing side of the business, the perception of the capabilities and benefits of the Deltek Costpoint Inventory module tend to vary drastically.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Property Management, Deltek Costpoint, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Manufacturing Operations Consulting

On May 1, 2025, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued NOT-OD-25-104 updating its policy to reiterate the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) subaward reporting requirements. This policy change will also prohibit foreign subawards in grants and cooperative agreements effective May 1, 2025, until NIH has developed a new foreign collaboration award structure policy. NIH is hoping to issue its new policy by September 30, 2025.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Government Regulations, Grants & Cooperative Agreements (2 CFR 200)

On May 8, 2025, Department of Energy (DOE) issued three new policy flashes limiting the indirect costs on DOE grants to state and local government, for non-profit organizations and for-profit companies. DOE previously limited indirect costs for colleges and universities (i.e., Institutes of Higher Education) in its April 11, 2025 policy action.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Government Regulations, Grants & Cooperative Agreements (2 CFR 200)

President Trump issued several executive orders addressing tariffs. American First Trade Policy dated January 20, 2025 and Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Trading Partner Retaliation and Alignment dated April 9, 2025. In addition, he has also issued a 90-day pause to some countries and is planning to reduce tariffs on certain industries such as US auto tariffs (see Amendments to Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States dated April 29, 2025). It is clear that tariffs are impacting the supply chain and government contractors.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Export & Import, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Manufacturing Operations Consulting

The Government Accounting Office (GAO) issued a Report, Recent Guidance Could Enhance Subaward Oversight to the Senate dated March 26, 2025 (GAO-25-107315), on its review of subaward oversight based on requirements in 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Grants. While prime recipients have responsibility over subawards, federal agencies are required to ensure recipients carry out oversight responsibilities.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Government Regulations, Grants & Cooperative Agreements (2 CFR 200)

Deltek Costpoint’s Time and Expense module is a powerful tool utilized by many government contractors and other businesses to collect labor hours and manage business expenses. The Time & Expense module’s flexibility aids in compliance and helps keep businesses DCAA audit-ready. Employees, managers, subcontractors, and others enter their labor hours and expenses as defined by company policy and established business rules. Deltek’s Time and Expense system allows for a variety of reporting and inquiring and can also aid in budget planning.

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

One would think this is a straightforward calculation. However, nothing is that straightforward when it comes to applying the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) cost principles in FAR part 31.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

On April 11, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new policy action to limit indirect costs of DOE research funding to Institutes of Higher Education (IHE) to 15%. DOE projects this change to generate over $405 million in annual savings. As expected, a judge has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on this policy. This comes on the heels of the National Institute of Health (NIH) issuing Supplemental Guidance to the 2023 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Costs dated February 7, 2025, limiting indirect costs on current and future grants to 15%. A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is still outstanding on the NIH policy.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Government Regulations, Grants & Cooperative Agreements (2 CFR 200)

What do indirect rates and indirect costs in Unanet mean for my organization? This is a question most of the world of government contractors ask. Managing costs isn’t just about tracking the dollars that are spent. It’s also about maintaining a profit, compliance with federal regulations and contract terms, and meeting organizational goals and standards. Unanet plays a pivotal role in navigating the complexities of government contracting, specifically, indirect rates and costs.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Incurred Cost Proposal Submission (ICP/ICE), Unanet