The FAR Council’s June 23, 2026, proposed rules begin implementing the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, with comments due July 23, 2026. Government contractors should evaluate how streamlined FAR text, revised clauses, security requirements, acquisition planning changes, and termination timelines may affect contract administration and compliance.
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cybersecurity
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.
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 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.
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
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The FY 2026 NDAA changed how fixed price contracts are treated in Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) cost impacts, but timing remains critical. Government contractors with CAS covered awards issued before implementation may still face current clause requirements, making award dates and clause language important compliance considerations.
Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
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.
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
Reporting of Independent Research and Development (IR&D) projects on the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) portal is normally due no later than three months after the contractor’s fiscal year-end, both annually and upon project completion. However, the DTIC portal was offline from November 2025 until approximately April 20, 2026, due to cyber vulnerabilities. Despite the nearly six‑month outage, Defense Pricing, Contracting and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) has provided contractors just over 30 days, until May 31, 2026, to enter all required IR&D information, including new projects, annual updates, and closed projects. This accelerated timeline contrasts with the DFARS allowance of up to three months after the fiscal year-end for reporting.
Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Incurred Cost Proposal Submission (ICP/ICE), Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Defense Procurement & Acquisition Policy (DPAP), Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
OMB’s new guidance directs agencies to expand commercial acquisitions and justify non-commercial awards. Government contractors may see closer review of commerciality, pricing, option periods, and cost-reimbursement contracts, making support for market research and contract decisions more important.
Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Cybersecurity, Commercial Determination, Manufacturing Operations Consulting
DCAA recently released Version 1.04 of the ICE Model that utilizes Microsoft Power Query to prepare incurred cost proposals. For government contractors preparing annual incurred cost submissions with Microsoft Power Query, this update should be used in replacement of the previous version released. Both the April 2026 Power Query version and the May 2019 Visual Basic version remain available, but each version carries different considerations for preparation, review, and submission through the Contractor Submission Portal.
The updated Power Query version is intended to improve compatibility with contract information such as contract ceiling issues on Schedule I. The instructions have been revised to provide better clarification of information required to properly run the power query version. The original Visual Basic version remains available, but contractors using this version need to be aware of a specific restriction in the Contractor Submission Portal. Files prepared in the Visual Basic version must be saved as .xls or .xlsx before uploading to the Contractor Submission Portal. The Contractor Submission Portal will not accept .xlsm macro files.
Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Incurred Cost Proposal Submission (ICP/ICE), DCAA Audit Support, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
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.
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 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.
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