ASBCA Scrutinizes Honeywell’s Interpretation of ‘Total’ in Total Cost Input

In June 2023, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) denied Honeywell's motion to dismiss a $151 million claim alleging improper G&A allocation treatment under CAS 410. The Board affirmed that interdivisional cost transfers must be included in a total cost input base, contradicting Honeywell's position. Government contractors should review whether their G&A allocation bases are consistent with this ruling.

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Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

An Update on the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Board’s Shift Toward GAAP

The Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Board has been working to eliminate several cost accounting standards and replace them with reliance on GAAP. As of April 2026, five standards are under proposed elimination, including a new March 2026 NPRM for CAS 407. Contractors should be aware that removing these standards does not eliminate cost accounting or consistency obligations.

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Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

How the March 2026 CAS Threshold and Related Changes Affect Government Contractors

On March 20, 2026, the CAS Board issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing significant increases to the CAS thresholds and changes to exemption determinations for indefinite-delivery contracts. Most changes reflect requirements in Section 1806 of the 2026 NDAA and are broadly favorable to contractors, though key concerns remain about the treatment of single-award indefinite-delivery contracts.

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Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

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.

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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 Item 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.

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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 Item Determination

SPRS Self-Assessment Requirements Remain for CMMC Despite DFARS Overhaul Changes

Recent DFARS class deviations associated with the FAR and DFARS overhaul reorganized several cybersecurity clauses, leading to confusion about government contractor self-assessment requirements. Although certain DFARS provisions were removed or renumbered, government contractors handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) must still conduct CMMC Level 1 self-assessments and post results in Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).

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Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cybersecurity, Manufacturing Operations Consulting

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.

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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

Building a Compliant Cost Proposal That Stands Up to Review

Contractors pursuing competitive prime awards under FAR Part 15 face heightened expectations for cost realism, documentation, and historical support. Agencies rely on detailed cost narratives and supporting data to make best value determinations. Weak or unsupported pricing can delay negotiations or undermine award decisions, making early preparation and internal alignment critical to proposal success.

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Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Incurred Cost Proposal Submission (ICP/ICE), Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

2026 NDAA Expands the Benefits of Being a Non-Traditional Defense Contractor

Section 1826 of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act shifts DoD treatment of nontraditional defense contractors from discretionary to mandatory exemptions from key cost and business system requirements. With no dollar threshold and rulemaking still pending, government contractors must evaluate timing, contract status, and downstream compliance implications.

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Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Commercial Item Determination

DoD Issues FAR and DFARS Revolutionary Overhaul Class Deviations Effective as Early as January 2026

Department of Defense class deviations are implementing the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul across multiple FAR and DFARS parts, with effective dates beginning as early as February 1, 2026. These changes affect clause structure, regulatory language, and timing considerations, requiring contractors to closely evaluate solicitations, flowdowns, and contract terms to maintain alignment with updated requirements.

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