DoD Implementing the Congressional Direction to Align DFARS with GAAS

In the June 27, 2024 Federal Register, the Department of Defense (DoD) is proposing to change the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 requiring that the generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) definition of a “material weakness” be used in place of the current definition of a “significant deficiency” when evaluating a contractor’s business system.

Read More

Topics: Small Business Compliance, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

How to Use Unanet to Automate Your Incurred Cost Reports

The rush to close any accounting system for the previous year is everyone’s top priority at the beginning of the new year. Why? We have forms to file. We have performance numbers to report. The annual Incurred Cost Submission is a top priority for government contractors with cost-type contracts. The Incurred Cost Electronically (ICE), or Incurred Cost Submission (ICS), is a highly formatted spreadsheet model with many worksheets (17 required and 6 optional) that provides a standard electronic package to assist in preparing adequate incurred cost submissions. The ICE spreadsheet model also helps with audit support and is the final version of reported costs incurred and billed within a year.

Read More

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

DCAA Accounting System Compliance with Deltek Costpoint

The Costpoint group at Redstone Governtment Consulting concluded a great event with Deltek in April during which DCAA representatives gave a keynote session on Accounting System Requirements (or SF1408). Just reading the SF1408 can be confusing or make the requirements seem complicated. However, if you understand the basics and know how Deltek Costpoint can achieve the requirements it can be easier to ensure you are ready for a DCAA review.

Read More

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

Training is an Allowable Cost and Required for Government Contractors

Training and employee development, in our opinion, must be looked at as a necessary investment in the future of a business as well as the business’ key resource - its employees. That said, those businesses in the government contracting industry are also facing an ever-expanding list of required or at least expected training that is necessary to maintain compliance with their growing list of contract clauses.

Contract Requirements and Expectations for Training

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Compliance Training, DCAA Audit Support, Human Resources, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Organizational Change Management Consulting

Cost Accounting for The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)

If you want to provide cloud-based services to Federal Agencies, you will need to get your service approved through the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) managed by the FedRAMP Program Management Office.

Read More

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

DPC Issues Guidance to DoD for Lack of Verifying Contractor Compliance with Whistleblower Protection Requirements

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Defense Pricing and Contracting (DPC) issued a guidance memorandum dated March 18, 2024 to Agencies based on the results of the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General (IG) Audit of DoD Compliance on Whistleblower Protection Requirements. While the DoD IG found in most cases, that Contracting Officers included the DFARS 252.203-7002 Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights clause in contracts, they did not verify whether contractors were complying with the clause.

Read More

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Compliance Training, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Human Resources, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

The Basics of Accounting System Requirements for Government Contractors

The Costpoint team at Redstone GCI recently concluded a great event with Deltek, during which DCAA representatives gave a great keynote session on Accounting System Requirements (or SF1408), which was followed by another informative session by our group on how Costpoint meets those requirements. With this article, I wanted to review some of the key points from both presentations for those who missed the event. Now, I will warn you that this is written for those new to the idea of an approved accounting system and its associated requirements. It is not written for the hard-core government accounting system veteran. I will not cover every aspect or criteria related to the standard accounting system audit; instead, I will try to find a somewhat entertaining way to talk about accounting systems and the SF1408 requirements, in particular.

Read More

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

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 420 – Accounting for IR&D Costs and Bid & Proposal B&P Costs

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 420 outlines accounting standards for Independent Research and Development (IR&D) and Bid & Proposal (B&P) costs incurred by government contractors, ensuring consistent and transparent reporting.

Read More

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

Overview of Contract Types and What Government Contractors Need to Know

Have you ever thought about the different government contract types and how it impacts your company’s bottom line: profit? Does it really matter what type of government contract that you have? Do you know what oversight there may be required of a particular contract type? Knowing and preparing for each type of contract, prior to accepting any government contract, will directly impact your administrative cost and profitability as well as the amount of government oversight. In this article, I will discuss the contract types and how significantly different they are, and your risk associated with these contract types.

Read More

Topics: Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Common Challenges Due to Poor Implementation of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)

Implementing the proper human resources information systems (HRIS) brings many benefits to HR teams and the businesses they support. These benefits may include automating processes, efficient talent acquisition, effective employee management, proper time tracking, increased employee engagement, and more. Poor execution of the implementation can create havoc, causing frustration, confusion and a lack of employee engagement. Improper security assignments will cause employees to see the information they shouldn't or managers to be unable to see what they should. In worst cases, employees may not get paid correctly or at all if a system is not setup properly and thoroughly tested. These are just some of the issues that could result from not choosing a partner who is dedicated to knowing your business needs and minimizing the challenges as much as possible. Some complications are expected, but the right partner will find a way to navigate or even avoid them effectively. We utilize the UKG Ready HRIS solution for HR, Payroll, and Timekeeping at Redstone Government Consulting, as we find it can fully meet our clients' needs, not only for our Federal Government Contractor clients but also for any clients looking for a full-suite solution.

Read More

Topics: Government Compliance Training, DCAA Audit Support, Human Resources, UKG Ready HR Software Consulting