Fixed-Price Contracting Returns as the Default for Federal Contractors

Federal acquisition policy is shifting fixed-price contracting back to the default and preferred approach under Executive Order 14402 and updated FAR Council guidance. With implementation beginning in July 2026, government contractors should consider how contract type, pricing risk, existing awards, and contract administration may be affected.

Read More

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

Opportunities for Government Contractors and New Entrants to Engage in Quantum Innovation

Two new Executive Orders signal increased federal action around quantum innovation and post-quantum cryptography. For government contractors and new entrants, participation in these initiatives will require careful attention to funding structures, FAR changes, NIST requirements, and compliance expectations.

Read More

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

Buy American Act Compliance Requires More Than a Certificate

Buy American Act compliance now requires closer review of component origin, domestic content thresholds, and contract-specific exceptions. For government contractors, the increased domestic content requirements and differences between FAR and DFARS make sourcing, supplier certifications, and documentation critical to supporting accurate compliance certifications.

Read More

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

Proposed Rule Changes 2 CFR 200 Regulations Governing Grants, Comments Due July 13, 2026

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed that the 2 CFR 200 revisions would convert Uniform Guidance into government-wide grant regulation, with comments due July 13, 2026, and a proposed effective date of October 1, 2026. Government contractors, recipients, and subrecipients should assess how the changes may affect funding terms, subawards, procurement, payments, and cost principles.

Read More

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), System Award Management (SAM), Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Grants & Cooperative Agreements (2 CFR 200), Commercial Determination

Businesses Can Now Claim IEEPA Tariff Refunds Through the New Portal

The launch of the CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) system by U.S. Customs and Border Protection marks a significant opportunity for importers to recover duties previously paid under IEEPA tariffs that were later ruled invalid by the U.S. Supreme Court. By enabling consolidated refund claims and streamlining the process through the ACE portal, this program reduces administrative burden and accelerates reimbursement. For importers, especially small businesses that directly paid these tariffs, this development is highly relevant because it provides a time-sensitive pathway to reclaim costs, improve cash flow, and correct past overpayments in a changing tariff environment.

Read More

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Export & Import, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Manufacturing Operations Consulting

FAR Case 2023 008: The Proposed Rule on Prohibiting Certain Semiconductor Products and Services

Government contractors should be aware of a proposed FAR rule implementing FY 2023 NDAA Section 5949 that will prohibit the use of certain covered semiconductor products and services in federal procurements by December 23, 2027. The rule introduces new certification, disclosure, and supply chain review requirements that may significantly impact sourcing, compliance, and contract performance.

Read More

Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Export & Import, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Commercial Determination, Manufacturing Operations Consulting

Project Spectrum Offers Free Resources for Government Contractor Cybersecurity Requirements

The FY 2026 NDAA, Section 1807, directs DoD to maintain Project Spectrum, a no-cost online platform offering cybersecurity training, tools, and resources for small and medium-sized government contractors. Originally launched in 2019, the platform supports CMMC compliance and is available to any company pursuing DoD work, regardless of current contract status.

Read More

Topics: Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Cybersecurity, Commercial Determination, Manufacturing Operations Consulting

The Department of War Wants to Transform Its Acquisition System

The Department of War has introduced an Acquisition Transformation Strategy aimed at prioritizing commercial solutions and expanding participation from nontraditional contractors. While the direction signals reduced barriers and faster acquisition, contractors must evaluate how evolving expectations, timing, and risk tolerance will affect compliance, pricing, and engagement strategies.

Read More

Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Commercial Determination

Supreme Court Ends IEEPA Tariffs and Importers Face New Trade Shift

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize presidential tariffs, effectively invalidating prior IEEPA-based duties. This decision creates uncertainty around potential refunds and shifts attention to new tariff measures now in effect. Importers and trade compliance teams must reassess duty exposure, documentation practices, and forward-looking trade strategies in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.

Read More

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Export & Import, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Estimating System Compliance, Manufacturing Operations Consulting

What is the Unanet Asset, Inventory and Manufacturing (AIM) Add-On?

Have you heard that Unanet recently released a new add-on called AIM? AIM is Unanet’s Asset, Inventory and Manufacturing add-on to their powerful GovCon ERP. AIM has been in the marketplace for many years and was recently incorporated into Unanet’s offerings to support GovCon customers, particularly for audit readiness in the Materials Management & Accounting System (MMAS). This article answers the 5 Ws to help organizations determine whether AIM meets their operational needs.

Read More

Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Unanet, Government Property Management, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Manufacturing Operations Consulting