Redstone Government Consulting Blog | Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (5)

How does the Government define construction? We need to consider some of the definitions in FAR part 2:

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Commercial Item Determination, Federal Construction Contracting

Contractors need to understand the laws for applying state sales and use taxes to purchased goods and services on government contracts. It can be a costly mistake that eats away at your profit.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Incurred Cost Proposal Submission (ICP/ICE), Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Government Regulations, Government Property Management, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

The FAR Council issued an interim rule, effective December 4, 2023, which implements the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA). This included three new FAR clauses which prohibit the delivery or use of “covered articles” subject to a FASCSA order in the performance of a government contract.

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

The Government can terminate its contracts, in whole or in part, through special contract clauses referred to as “termination clauses.” Terminations can be frequent occurrences and can happen for numerous reasons, such as lack of funding, bid protests, changes in military strategy, technological advancement, federal operations, or national political agendas that change the government’s needs. FAR 49.201(a) [Termination of Contracts] states, “…A settlement should compensate the contractor fairly for the work done and the preparations made for the terminated portions of the contract, including a reasonable allowance for profit….” This compensation decision, unfortunately, is made through the government’s lens. A contractor must be focused on telling their story and providing proof through adequate documentation of claimed costs.

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

My commercial company wants to increase business with the Federal Government – but not with all those requirements the Government follows when buying under FAR Part 15 rules (Contracting by Negotiation). Is that even possible? The answer is “absolutely”.

Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Commercial Item Determination

The FACT SHEET issued by the White House on November 8, 2023 professes the four underlying initiatives “will generate more than an additional 10 billion annually in savings and cost avoidance while improving the performance of Federal contracts.” Seeing as it also states, “[l]ast year alone, the Federal Government purchased $700 billion of goods and services,” – this 1.5% saving would be a good start. So, let’s take a look at these initiatives.

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

If this were only a simple question. The most straightforward answer is that it is a good idea for any company to have policies and procedures. If that company is going to do business with the US Government those policies and procedures are going to have to be expanded as each contract may present additional requirements. To help you understand the complex level of requirements we will address the major business systems and other key areas.

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Human Resources, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Government Property Management, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Material Management and Accounting System (MMAS), Estimating System Compliance

The FAR Council submitted a proposed rule amending FAR subparts, provisions, and clauses on October 3, 2023, to implement an Executive order on cyber threats, incident reporting, and information sharing for Federal contracts. This revision is being made to strengthen and standardize contractual requirements for cybersecurity across Federal agencies. The proposed rule also implements OMB Memorandum M-21-07 Completing the Transition to internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), dated November 19, 2020.

Topics: DFARS Business Systems, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cybersecurity

Well – besides being the first thing your friendly DCAA auditor will ask you for, they should be something your employees use and rely on daily. The last thing you want is one of your employees telling an auditor they have never seen or read the company’s policies and procedures. The joy that will come across the auditor’s face will be truly shocking – and – the sadness that will come across your face when the Business System Deficiency Reports start to arrive, requiring endless responses and corrective action plans, will be just as shocking. This fairytale has no happy ending, at least not for you and your company – just a drain on your resources and more audit oversight.

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

FAR 31.205-20 provides that interest is unallowable on Federal Government contracts, no matter how it is calculated or presented in your financial books and records. This means you cannot propose, bill, or claim your interest expense.

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