September 2026 Update
Since this article was published, OFCCP has finalized additional regulatory changes affecting government contractors. On August 21, 2026, DOL published final rules revising the regulations implementing Section 503 and VEVRAA and rescinding the regulations that implemented EO 11246. Most Section 503 and VEVRAA changes take effect September 21, 2026. Read our latest Client Alert for a breakdown of the updated requirements and key compliance dates.
Topics: Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Human Resources, Government Regulations, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Service Contract Act
On October 21, 2025, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a state-level analysis or estimate of the impact of a government shutdown on small business lending. The shutdown has frozen the SBA’s core 7(a) and 504 small-business lending programs. These lending programs are designed to support small businesses’ access to funds to acquire or improve long-term fixed assets such as real estate, machinery, and equipment.
Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Small Business Compliance, Government Regulations
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Department of Defense (DoD) issued a final rule on September 10, 2025, amending Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), incorporating contractual requirements under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2020 to enhance cybersecurity for the US defense industrial base. The final rule is effective November 10, 2025.
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cybersecurity
The U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has finalized a significant set of amendments to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), effective September 15, 2025, which expand the U.S. Munitions List (USML) and introduce new definitions and a licensing exemption. These changes mark the first time in years that DDTC has expanded the USML’s coverage more than it has reduced it. The final rule amends 15 of the 21 USML categories, representing a substantial increase in the number of controlled items.
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Export & Import, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Manufacturing Operations Consulting
The federal government has shut down again. It happens. With fiscal year 2025 funding lapsed and in our rearview mirror, how can government contractors mitigate the risk of potential stop-work orders and financial hardship? In this article, we discuss areas to consider not only to mitigate your risk but also to avoid significant financial hardship.
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, REAs, Claims & Terminations
Six months after the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) made its major reorganization, it made another one: the elimination of its Field Detachment (FD) as a separate entity within DCAA. The Field Detachment was a separate entity within DCAA that handled DCAA’s classified audit work. It was a separate and distinct DCAA entity from the current Land, Air, and Sea Directorates of DCAA.
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations
Just like all other business systems required for federal Government contract work, the Government property system requires compliant policies and procedures for an adequate system determination. While procedures are only a single part of a contractor’s property management system, they are the backbone of how the system should operate.
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Government Property Management, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
If you have any grants or cooperative agreements (i.e., federal awards under 2 CFR 200), you must annually determine whether you must obtain an audit, as required by 2 CFR Subpart F. These are referred to as “Single Audits.” And yes, even if you get audited by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) or one of its hired Independent Public Accountants (IPAs) for your FAR-based contract or subcontracts, if you have a grant, you will need a second audit.
Topics: Accounting System Compliance, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Grants & Cooperative Agreements (2 CFR 200)
Well, of course, The Department of Defense (DOD) can. The three most common situations where DoD requires cost data on a fixed price contract are:
Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Government contractors deal with a unique set of rules when it comes to expenses. FAR Part 31 lays out the specific guidelines on what you can and cannot charge to the government. If unallowable costs slip through, you could face compliance problems or see expenses disallowed in an audit.
Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Small Business Compliance, Quickbooks, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)