Is Submitting Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data Risk-Free?

There is no such thing as a risk-free interaction with the Government when it comes to submitting data.

Read More

Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Estimating System Compliance

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 404 - Capitalization of Tangible Assets

CAS 404 provides the criteria for determining whether to assign the cost of a capital asset as a period expense when acquired or capitalize the item as a tangible asset and spread the cost over two or more accounting periods.

Read More

Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, DFARS Business Systems, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is the Gift That Keeps on Giving

Besides the potential tax benefits of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2024 has introduced an additional benefit for employee-owned businesses contracting with the Department of Defense (DoD). A pilot program that will allow for the award of follow-on contracts without competition.

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Employee & Contractor Compensation, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 415 – Accounting for the Cost of Deferred Compensation

For cost accounting under Federal government contracts, including your contracts that are not CAS covered, deferred compensation must be measured based on the requirements of CAS 415. FAR 31.205-6(k) requires that the cost of all deferred compensation, other than pension costs, be measured, assigned, and allocated in accordance with CAS 415, Accounting for the Cost of Deferred Compensation.

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Employee & Contractor Compensation, Human Resources, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

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)

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)

Rights and Obligations of Employers and Unions

We understand that it can be tough to learn that your employees are planning to unionize, despite your efforts to create a fair and safe work environment. We know that you want to do your best for your employees and your company. While labor unions have been declining over the years, there is a resurgence of union organization as many believe that unions have been instrumental in establishing employee rights and conditions. That's why it's important to understand your rights and obligations as an employer and those of a union.

Read More

Topics: Human Resources, Government Regulations, Employers and Unions

What Should I Do Now that the Government Has Terminated My Contract?

The government can terminate a contract, in whole or in part, through special contract clauses referred to as "termination clauses." Contract termination can happen for reasons such as lack of funding, bid protests, changes in military strategy, technological advancement, federal operations, or national political agenda that change the government's needs. However, what are the different types of termination proposals and forms required? This article will sort out the maze of what needs to be done and submitted.

Read More

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations