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
The launch of the CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) system by U.S. Customs and Border Protection marks a significant opportunity for importers to recover duties previously paid under IEEPA tariffs that were later ruled invalid by the U.S. Supreme Court. By enabling consolidated refund claims and streamlining the process through the ACE portal, this program reduces administrative burden and accelerates reimbursement. For importers, especially small businesses that directly paid these tariffs, this development is highly relevant because it provides a time-sensitive pathway to reclaim costs, improve cash flow, and correct past overpayments in a changing tariff environment.
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Export & Import, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Manufacturing Operations Consulting
Government contractors should be aware of a proposed FAR rule implementing FY 2023 NDAA Section 5949 that will prohibit the use of certain covered semiconductor products and services in federal procurements by December 23, 2027. The rule introduces new certification, disclosure, and supply chain review requirements that may significantly impact sourcing, compliance, and contract performance.
Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Export & Import, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Commercial Determination, Manufacturing Operations Consulting
Costpoint Materials and Manufacturing is highly configurable, but that flexibility requires intentional design. Government contractors who implement without planning for growth often face costly reconfigurations as operations scale. Aligning manufacturing with accounting from the outset builds a system that supports the business today and adapts as complexity increases.
Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Deltek Costpoint, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Organizational Change Management Consulting, Manufacturing Operations Consulting
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 United States Supreme Court has ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize presidential tariffs, effectively invalidating prior IEEPA-based duties. This decision creates uncertainty around potential refunds and shifts attention to new tariff measures now in effect. Importers and trade compliance teams must reassess duty exposure, documentation practices, and forward-looking trade strategies in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Export & Import, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Estimating System Compliance, Manufacturing Operations Consulting
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Have you heard that Unanet recently released a new add-on called AIM? AIM is Unanet’s Asset, Inventory and Manufacturing add-on to their powerful GovCon ERP. AIM has been in the marketplace for many years and was recently incorporated into Unanet’s offerings to support GovCon customers, particularly for audit readiness in the Materials Management & Accounting System (MMAS). This article answers the 5 Ws to help organizations determine whether AIM meets their operational needs.
Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Unanet, Government Property Management, Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Manufacturing Operations Consulting
Section 1826 of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act shifts DoD treatment of nontraditional defense contractors from discretionary to mandatory exemptions from key cost and business system requirements. With no dollar threshold and rulemaking still pending, government contractors must evaluate timing, contract status, and downstream compliance implications.
Topics: Accounting System Compliance, Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Material Management & Accounting System (MMAS), Commercial Determination
On December 5, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reported another settlement under the False Claims Act (FCA) related to cybersecurity. Swiss Automation agreed to pay $421,234 to the Government as a result of failing to provide adequate cybersecurity controls for drawings of parts supplied to Department of Defense (DoD) prime contractors. The qui tam suit under the False Claims Act (FCA) was brought forward by a whistleblower, not an Information Technology (IT) employee, but a Quality Control Manager of the company. The whistleblower received $65,291.
Topics: 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
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